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THE   DIARY 


OF 


WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D, 

PASTOR    OF    THE    EAST    CHURCH 
SALEM,    MASSACHUSETTS 


January,  1793  —  December,  1S02 


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DIARY 

OF 

WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D. 


January  1,  1793.  Our  Lodge  Officers  were  installed  this  evening 
&  I  totally  disengaged  myself  from  any  Office  in  a  Lodge.  An  alarm 
of  iire  this  evening,  great  danger,  but  speedy  relief. 

2.  The  Town  of  Salem  in  the  alarm  of  last  night  had  instant  & 
plentiful  relief  from  the  Centre  Cistern,  lately  prepared  for  them. 

3.  It  is  pleasant  to  observe  the  distinct  objects  of  the  several 
social  institutions,  the  fire  clubs  to  protect  property,  the  marine  so- 
cieties to  lesson  the  dangers  of  trade,  the  free  masons  to  assist  the 
stranger,  &  the  public  worship  occasionally  to  recommend  &  exalt 
them  in  their  turn.  There  have  been  two  prosecutions  of  Masters, 
Sinclair  &  Welman,  for  abuse.  The  first  on  a  Guinea  Voyage  a 
year  since,  the  last  for  abuse  of  a  negro  in  a  late  West  India  voy- 
age.    The  examples  were  cruel  &  roused  the  public  resentment. 

4.  Upon  the  Completion  of  the  third  century  everything  has 
been  said  of  Columbus,  &  among  other  things  the  following  of  Cat 
Island  on  which  he  first  landed.  Cat  Island,  called  Guanihani,  lat. 
bet.  24  &  25  north,  long,  about  76  west  from  London,  90  miles  from 
Providence,  long  &  narrow.  Most  easterly  of  the  northern  Bahama, 
&  clear  of  Bahama  Bank,  long,  about  43  miles,  broad,  seven  miles 
on  an  average,  extending  north  &  south.  Shores  faced  with  reefs 
of  sharp  rocks  lying  about  half  a  mile  &  frequently  less  from  the 
Island,  &  furthest  upon  the  western  side  within  is  anchorage  upon 
a  sandy  bottom,  &  the  landing  is  not  difficult  particularly  on  the 
western  shore,  excepting  there  have  been  strong  northwesterly 
gales,  which  are  not  so  common  here  as  in  higher  northern  latitudes. 
The  Soil  is  generally  barren  being  a  loose  sand  and  covered  with 
small  woods,  in  some  places  almost  impenetrable,  infested  with 
lizards,  guanas,  land  crabs,  &  a  few  goats,  &  wild  hogs,  infested 
formerly  by  pirates,  &  now  inhabited  by  a  few  families  from  Prov- 
idence. In  some  places  there  is  tolerably  good  timber,  &  a  few 
hills  with  wood  towards  the  center,  which  make  a  pleasing  appear- 
ance but  are  difficult  to  approach  on  account  of  the  salt  ponds  & 
underbrush.  There  is  excellent  fishing  &  turtling  on  the  coasts. 
There  are  ruins  here  of  buildings  constructed  of  the  native  rock 
when  broken  &  a  soft  white  stone  found  on  the  island.     Some  have 


2  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

been  imputed  to  Columbus.     They  may  be  remains  of  Indian  antiq- 
uities, or  some  European  settlers. 

5.  A  few  reflections  on  the  use  of  an  Organ,  a  novelty  in  our 
Churches.  The  voluntaries,  &c.  not  practiced  in  the  protestant  & 
reformed  Churches  on  the  continent  it  seems  have  intruded  upon  a 
congregation,  who  consented  to  the  use  of  the  Organ,  upon  condi- 
tion of  their  prohibition. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Rebecca  Fairfield,  d,  of  her  mother  &  for 
son  at  Sea.  Nicholas  Lane  &  Wife,  her  delivery.  No  singing  in 
the  morning. 

7.  An  infamous  report  brought  from  the  W.  Indies,  that  Egout 
who  had  received  every  indulgence  from  our  family  had  spread  in- 
sinuations against  the  chastity  of  our  women.  The  resentment 
falls  severely  upon  the  french,  &  occasions  no  small  uneasiness.  I 
have  suspicions  this  is  a  contrivance  of  some  vile  man. 

8.  By  the  most  careful  accounts  710  persons  have  been  inocu- 
lated in  Town  since  the  18  of  October,  &  275  at  Brooklyne,  Boston 
&  Charlestown,  since  the  fifth  of  September  last. 

9.  The  Courier  takes  a  decided  part  against  the  Jacobins,  & 
openly  ridicules  the  characters  of  their  Generals.  Electioneering 
in  the  Gazettes  even  in  Salem  is  carried  on  by  unmanly  invectives, 
which  are  not  without  replies.     It  is  not  a  local  distemper. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  D.  Cloutman,  d.  of  his  sister  M^'Grew.* 
A.  Lander,  aged  &  dangerously  sick. 

14.  150  fire  buckets  ordered  to  be  provided  at  the  expence  of  the 
Town  and  a  night  watch  to  continue  till  April. 

15.  Messieurs  Clarke  &  Eliot  in  Town  from  Boston  this  day. 
The  Players  have  left  the  Town,  &c.  The  Town  have  granted  the 
intended  proprietors  of  the  Market  a  quit  claim  to  the  land  to  be 
appropriated  for  the  same  to  them  &  their  heirs  forever. 

16.  M"  Tileston  with  me  from  Boston.  Visited  the  Manufacto- 
ries of  Salem  &  Beverley,  &  found  the  Cotton  in  Beverley  in  full 
employment.  A  new  Jenny  contrived  to  feed  itself  added  to  the 
entertainment. 

17.  Have  been  a  fortnight  troubled  with  a  cold,  which  I  impute 
to  the  interference  of  my  employments  with  my  daily  walks.  News 
of  the  death  of  Cap'  Holman,  a  young  [man]  who  married  a  Pierce, 
a  most  agreable  girl. 

18.  Proposal  to  drop  Honour,  reverend,  &c.  titles,  for  that  of 
citizen  in  Massachusetts.! 

20.  Sunday.  Last  Thursday  died  a  Glover,  a  female,  at  the 
Hospital  of  the  Natural  Small  Pox.  There  is  no  person  now  in- 
fected in  any  way,  who  is  known. 

21.  Reports  of  great   preparations   making   in   Boston   &   the 

•Widow  of  John  McGrew. 

tAn  effect  of  the  French  Bevolution. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  3 

towns  adjacent  for  the  celebration  of  next  Thursday.     No  move- 
ments with  us  even  in  the  barber's  shops  yet. 

22.  Bill  of  Mortality  for  first  parish  in  Gloucester,  50  persons, 
24  males,  26  females,  10  of  consunnptions.  Bill  for  Marblehead, 
75  deaths,  greatest  number  in  March.  The  Selectmen  of  Salem 
have  informed  the  public  that  all  the  hospitals  are  cleansed  &  that 
no  further  inoculation  will  be  permitted.  Some  are  indus- 
trious   to    introduce    the     french     language     of     Citizen      into 

.Boston,    &    the     newspaper   of    Edes,   has   absolutely   published 
in  this  manner,  the  names  of  Clergy   &   laity. 

23.  Tined  copper  for  Ships,  houses,  worms,  &c.  as  a  new  article 
of  sale  is  offered  by  patent  for  sale  in  the  Gazette.  The  Patentee  is 
C.  Wyatt,  of  Birmingham,  England. 

24.  Walked  on  the  neck  at  noon  with  great  pleasure,  observed 
the  shores  &  the  ground  free  from  snow  &  ice.  No  notice  was  ta- 
ken of  this  day  in  Salem,  excepting  by  a  few  boys  with  a  paper 
balloon,  who  first  burst  it,  &  afterwards  set  fire  to  it.  Some  faint 
struggles  by  individuals  were  used,  but  soon  ceased  without  attain- 
ing to  the  firing  of  a  gun,  the  hoisting  of  a  flag,  the  kindling  a 
bonfire,  or  even  the  noise  of  a  winter  evening.  This  is  not  owing 
to  an  indifference  to  the  revolution  in  France,  but  to  the  manners 
of  the  people,  who  are  easily  checked  in  any  expences.  When  Gen. 
Washington  visited,  he  desired  no  parade,  as  the  language  of  his 
modesty  &  his  heart.  The  occasion  called  for  expence  &  joy.  He 
was  taken  at  his  word.  When  before,  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette 
visited,*  he  left  the  Town  to  themselves,  a  very  elegant  dinner 
was  provided  in  which  the  poor  had  no  part,  &  were  not  but  at  will 
diverted  a  moment  from  their  employments.  They  did  not  consid- 
er this  as  neglect,  but  prudence.  It  was  intended  as  such,  &  oper- 
ated as  such.     Vive  la  nation  is  not  yet  translated  among  us. 

25.  A  particular  account  of  the  celebration  at  Boston  last  Thursday. 
The  roasted  Ox ,  exhibited  with  great  pomp,  fell  a  prey  to  the  fury 
of  the  rabble.  Every  other  ceremony  was  performed  agreably. 
The  children  of  the  schools  formed  a  delightful  appearance  with 
national  cockades.  The  several  companies  dined  in  the  public 
rooms,  &  the  whole  concluded  with  a  bonfire. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Collins,  sen'  &  wife  &  children, 
death  of  her  Mother  &  p.  for  son  at  Sea.  Noah  Hobart  &  Wife, 
d.  of  his  brother  at  Sea.  The  first  died  at  Amsbury,  &  the  last 
sailed  out  of  Newbury. 

28.  Received  a  letter  from  G.  Lodge,  containing  their  Vote  that 
I  should  confer  with  the  Essex  lodges,  &  accompanied  with  Letters, 
&  six  copies  of  the  Constitutions  lately  published.  The  vote  re- 
specting my  service  is  "  that  I  confer  with  the  several  Lodges  in 
the  County  of  Essex." 

»  Oct.  29,  1784, 


4  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

29.  The  Americans  in  their  rejoicings  interest  themselves  in 
the  fate  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  Talk  of  celebrating  the 
birthday  of  Gen.  Washington  in  Salem,  on  February  next.  A  rem- 
edy by  an  open  passage  three  inches  square  to  the  evil  from  burst- 
ing chimnies  with  stoves,  &  to  the  gumming,  &c. 

30.  The  Vessel  has  returned  which  carried  Egout  to  Martinico 
&  the  Master  confirms  the  disingenuous  behaviour  of  this  ungrate- 
ful boy. 

31.  The  papers  yet  abound  in  accounts  of  Celebrations,  par- 
ticularly at  Plymouth  &  Watertown.  Twenty  four  Frenchmen  in 
Boston  have  entered  their  protest  against  the  French  revolution  at 
a  notary  public's  office  in  Boston.  This  has  proved  a  very  unpop- 
ular measure,  among  the  inhabitants.  After  a  very  pleasant  season 
so  far,  the  earth  is  most  compleatly  covered  with  snow,  &  the  air 
is  severe.  The  harbour  yet  has  never  been  skimtned  over  with  ice, 
or  business  in  the  least  retarded.  Health  has  been  general,  & 
full  employment  to  lay  the  foundation  of  general  satisfaction. 

February  1.  [1793]  To  quiet  some  devout  minds  the  Papers 
have  republished  some  reflections  cast  by  the  French  upon  the 
character  of  David.  Such  papers  are  most  openly  contrary  to  all 
ideas  of  a  revelation  because  they  extend  to  the  devotion.  But  may 
not  we  allow  David's  Kingship  not  divine  &  his  Psalms,  &  not 
question  the  just  evidence  of  Christianity? 

3.  Sunday.  Very  slippery.  Two  aged  men  fell  &  hurt  them- 
selves, one  of  them  spraint  his  wrist.  Service  very  short,  com- 
municants very  few. 

4.  Began  my  translation  of  french  from  the  english  under  M. 
Bonne-maison. 

6.     Weather  so  comfortable  as  to  be  under  no  necessity  of  fire. 

10.  Sunday  .  Notes.  Hannah  Hosmer  for  her  delivery,  husb. 
&  Brother  at  Sea.     Isaac  White  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

11.  Severall  failures  in  Boston  occasioned  by  the  Banks,  which 
render  them  the  subject  of  conversation.  All  reprobate  them  & 
yet  they  are  employed  as  an  evil  indulgent  to  the  want  of  public 
resolution. 

12.  The  Beverley  Manufacturers  a  little  touched  by  his  Excel- 
lency's Speech.  Shays,  the  celebrated  head  of  an  insurrection  un- 
der Bowdoin's  administration  in  this  State,  has  petitioned  it  is 
said,  to  be  restored  to  his  citizenship.  Petitions  for  four  Bridges 
over  the  Merrimack  at  Methuen,  Haverhill,  Amesbury  &  Dracut, 
before  the  G.  Court. 

15.  News  of  the  death  of  Edward  Crowninshield,  sixth  son  of 
Cap'  George,  a  promising  youth.  It  is  presumed  that  a  disappoint- 
ment in  his  voyage  occasioned  this  unhappy  event.  A  Family 
that  has  been  remarkably  spared. 

16.  Application  by  a  Committee  to  deliver  an  oration  on  Friday 
next,  the  birthday  of  General  Washington.     The   first   arrival  of 


THE   NORTH    MEETING    HOUSE:    SALEM. 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  5 

News  from  England,  of  the  progress  of  revolution  principles  being 
discovered  in  England.  A  Ship  upon  the  rocks  in  Boston  bay  lost 
in  the  late  Storm. 

17.  Sunday.     Had  the  company  of  Capt  Pratt  from  Orford. 

18.  Repeated  application  for  the  Oration  &  I  consented.  The 
place  appointed  is  the  North  Meeting  House.*  The  other  arrange- 
ments not  yet  made. 

20.  Death  of  Capt.  Manley,  notified,  funeral  at  Boston  with 
Great  Masonic  attentions. 

21.  Some  jealousies  respecting  the  appointment  of  an  Orator 
for  the  morrow,  on  the  part  of  the  Clergy. 

22.  The  day  was  introduced  by  firing  cannon  at  the  forts  at 
sunrise.  The  bells  all  ringing.  At  eleven  the  subscribers  for  the 
feast  met  in  Stearns  &  Waldo's  Hall,t  &  from  thence  proceeded  to 
the  North  Meeting  House  escorted  by  the  Artillery  company.  The 
procession  began  with  the  military  officers,  then  followed  the  Se- 
lectmen &  Orator,  Town  officers,  &  private  Gentlemen.  After  they 
were  seated,  in  this  crowded  assembly,  in  the  pews  reserved  for 
them,  the  band  of  music  performed  several  chosen  pieces  of  music. 
Then  the  Officer  of  the  day  notified  the  occasion  of  the  meeting,  & 
there  was  a  piece  of  church  vocal  music  performed  in  the  Gallery. 
Then  a  short  prayer  was  made  by  the  Orator,  &  then  the  band  per- 
formed several  pieces  of  music.  Then  followed  the  Oration,  then 
the  band  performed  again,  &  there  was  a  contribution  at  the  doors 
for  the  poor.  There  was  provision  made  in  the  Charity  house  for  a 
good  dinner  of  excellent  chosen  beef  &  plumb  puddings.  The  pro- 
cession from  the  Meeting  was  through  the  back  street,  down  by  D"" 
Stearns,  &  through  the  main  street  down  to  the  East  Meeting 
house,  &  then  through  the  Lane  into  Water  Street  to  Washington 
street.  The  proper  salutes  were  given  at  Gen.  Fiske's  &  at  the 
house  of  Cap'  Joshua  Ward,  where  Gen.  Washington  rested  while 
in  Town.  In  the  Hall  were  seated  with  great  convenience  above 
200  persons  in  the  greatest  good  humour  &  enjoyment.  The  Ta- 
bles were  spread  with  great  good  order,  &  a  plentiful  dinner  pro- 
vided which  we  enjoyed,  while  the  music  was  playing  &  the  Can- 
non firing  without.  Toasts  provided  for  the  occasion  were  given 
&  great  good  order,  &  the  firing  of  the  Cannon  upon  the  Common, 
&  Ringing  of  the  Bells  concluded  the  joyful  day. 

23.  A  very  respectable  Committee  waited  upon  me,  &  requested 
a  copy  of  my  Oration  for  the  press  but  for  special  reasons,  I  de- 
clined a  compliance  with  all  the   delicacy  of  which  I  was  master. 

24.  Sunday.  Very  rainy  weather,  &  few  people  out,  especially 
women.  Entrusted  the  Copy  with  General  Fiske  for  his  own  pe- 
rusal &  for  the  examination  of  his  family. 

*Then  located  at  the  corner  of  North  and  Lynde  streets. 

tin  the  building  at  the  corner  of  Essex  and  Washington  streets  and  for  many  years 
known  as  "Washington  Hall." 


6  DIARY  OF  [March 

25.  The  number  who  dined  exceeded  two  hundred.  The  con- 
tribution was  40  £,  much  less  than  I  expected.  The  feast  includ- 
ing all  expences  will  amount  to  about  10^6  to  each  individual.  The 
wind  of  yesterday  compleatly  demolished  the  old  rope  walk  at  the 
eastern  part  of  the  Town.*  It  was  a  high  wind  at  southwest,  & 
was  this  day,  in  the  opposite  point  of  compass. 

26.  The  Gazette  of  the  day  furnishes  an  account  of  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  Day,  in  Danvers  by  Stimson's  artillery ,  in  Beverly  by 
an  entertainment,  &  in  Cape  Ann  by  a  Ball, 

27.  Talk  of  using  wind  mills  for  grinding  bark  in  the  Tan 
yards.  A  competition  arising  in  this  Trade.  About  one  hundred 
dined  at  Webb's  on  the  feast  of  last  week. 

March  1,  [1793]  Great  expectations  of  a  war  in  Europe,  The 
competition  for  the  Scheld  will  render  the  war  serious.  The  fail- 
ures have  made  the  Banks  very  cautious. 

2.  Subject  to  great  enquiries  respecting  the  oration,  &  obliged 
often  to  confess  that  the  conduct  of  the  Clergy  has  obliged  me  to 
a  refusal  of  a  Copy, 

3.  Sunday.  G.  Crowninshild  &  wife  &  family,  d.  of  youngest 
son  &  children  at  Sea.  James  Brown  &  wife,  her  delivery,  Broth- 
er at  Sea.     Samuel  Derby  &  wife.  Twins, 

4.  The  report  last  year  of  a  Standard  for  weights  &  measures 
was  a  cylindrical  uniform  rod  of  iron,  of  such  length  as  in  lat.  5  in 
the  level  of  the  Ocean,  &  in  a  cellar  of  uniform  natural  temperature 
shall  perform  its  vibrations  in  small  &  equal  arcs  in  one  second  of 
mean  time.  That  it  be  divided  into  5  equal  parts,  one  of  which  to 
be  called  a  foot,  shall  be  the  unit  of  measure  of  length,  foot  divided 
into  10  parts  called  inches,  inch  into  10  lines,  line  into  10  points, 
10  feet  make  a  decad,  10  decads  a  rod,  10  roods  a  furlong,  &  10 
furlongs  a  mile.  The  measures  of  Surface  by  squares,  the  unit  a 
square,  where  of  every  side  shall  be  an  hundred  feet,  to  be  called 
a  rood,  each  rood  divided  into  10*^^  &  100'''^  10  roods  make  a 
double  acre,  10  double  acres  a  square  furlong.  The  unit  of  meas- 
ures of  capacity  be  a  cubic  foot  to  be  called  a  Bushel,  a  bushel  10 
pottles,  a  pottle  10  demipints,  demipint  10  metres  ;  10  Bushel  a 
quarter,  10  quarters  a  last  or  double  Ton.  The  unit  of  weights,  a 
cubic  inch  of  rain  water,  called  an  ounce,  measured  &  weighed  in  a 
cellar  of  equal  temperature.  Ounce,  10  double  scruples,  double- 
scruples  into  10  carats.  Carat  10  mimins,  or  demi  grains,  mimin 
into  10  mites.  10  ounces  a  pound,  10  pounds  a  stone,  10  stones  a 
kental,  10  kentals  a  hogshead.! 

5.  This  day  being  the  day  on  which  the  Tyrian  Lodge  at  Cape 
Ann  meets,  I  determined  to  persevere  tho'  the  weather  was  foul,  to 
accomplish  the  business  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Essex.  The  roads 
were  bad,  &  after  the  civilities  of  Manchester,  the  French  Gentle- 

♦Probably  the  old  Hillard  rope  walk  at  the  head  of  the  Neck. 
tAnother  result  of  the  French  revolution. 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  7 

man,  who  accompanied  me,  dined  with  me  at  Major  Craft's,  the 
public  house.  After  dinner,  through  this  horrible  road  we  continued 
on  to  Cape  Ann,  where  we  arrived  in  the  afternoon.  I  could  not 
refrain  from  observing  that  the  appearance  was  very  different  from 
that  the  Town  assumes  from  the  confluence  of  Strangers  on  public 
festivals  &  days  of  rejoicing.  There  was  too  much  complaining  for 
a  belief  of  a  general  content.  In  the  evening  I  was  conducted  to 
the  Lodge  convened  in  an  upper  chamber,  by  a  Committee,  &  re- 
ceived with  every  civility.  With  the  utmost  coolness  I  waved 
every  dispute,  &  proposed  the  object  of  my  conference,  a  permanent 
union  of  interests  in  the  present  Grand  Lodge.  After  my  introduc- 
tion the  conversation  led  to  the  following  discussions.  The  first 
related  to  the  Convention  at  Charlestown  in  1785.  They  repre- 
sented themselves  aggrieved  by  the  measures  of  that  convention, 
in  which  they  were  not  represented,  as  it  must  have  been  a  volun- 
tary convention,  &  could  not  destroy  the  charters  of  any  Lodges 
previously  given.  That  however  they  were  threatened  that  they 
should  be  erased,  &  besides  unmasonically  be  posted.  They  offered 
to  shew  the  papers.  This  I  waved,  &  declared  that  tho'  I  was  a 
member  of  that  Convention  that  I  had  not  patience  to  tarry  till  the 
result,  &  that  the  late  proceedings  in  the  newly  constituted  Grand 
Lodge,  were  independant  of  any  measures  of  that  Convention,  & 
consequent  upon  a  coalition  of  the  S'  Andrew,  &  S'  John  G.  Lodges, 
an  event  not  taking  place  till  after  the  Convention,  &  constituting 
an  entirely  new  interest.  The  next  related  to  the  Terms.  Were 
they  to  relinquish  any  privileges,  pay  any  arrear,  or  renounce  any 
right  to  regulate  their  own  lodge  ?  In  answer  I  replied ,  that  as 
the  G.  Lodge  had  published  the  Constitution  they  had  adopted, 
that  must  be  the  Text  Book  by  which  they  might  judge  how  far  the 
sentiments  of  the  G.  L.  were  different  from  their  own.  There  was 
room  still  to  observe,  that  as  the  G.  L.  allowed  all  Lodges  to 
continue  their  Charters,  even  if  consenting  to  be  represented  in 
their  G.  L.  no  loss  of  privileges  was  to  be  feared,  I  however  took 
notice  before  them,  that  as  they  had  erased  name  or  names  from 
their  Charter,  they  had  taken  very  great  freedom  with  it.  As  to 
arrears  from  the  state  of  Masonry  in  1775  to  1793, 1  observed  there 
could  be  no[ne]  claimed.  For  as  they  acknowledge  neither  of  the 
G.  Lodges  existing  in  any  part  of  that  time,  neither  could  possibly 
have  claims,  or  if  one,  then  both.  That  this  Constitution  was 
never  existing  till  1792,  &  as  the  G.  L.  had  addressed  them  on  the 
subject  of  a  union,  there  was  not  the  least  reason  to  fear  that  they 
would  require  anything  before  the  union  had  commenced,  &  the  con- 
sequent assessment  by  the  words  of  the  Constitution.  That  as  to 
the  regulations  of  their  own  Lodge,  the  bye  laws  must  be  framed 
by  the  concurrence  of  their  representatives  with  the  G.  Lodge,  but 
as  to  the  manner  of  working,  the  Constitution  had  left  it  entirely  at 
the  discretion  of  the  old  Lodges,  &  only  recommended  to  the  New- 


8  DIARY  OF  [March 

ly  Constituted.  The  whole  was  represented  as  an  alliance  formed 
to  increase  the  benelits  of  the  Craft,  &  prevent  irregular  Lodges,  as 
was  represented  in  the  Book  of  Constitutions.  They  then  chose  a 
Committee  of  five  persons,  &  ordered  the  Secretary  to  report  their 
proceedings  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  Committee  is  to  deliberate 
on  the  subject,  &  report  to  the  Lodge  their  opinion.  We  then  had 
an  elegant  Collation,  &  after  supper  some  choice  songs,  &  retired. 

6.  This  day  was  spent  in  visits  to  Kev*^  Forbes,  the  Rogers, 
Pierces,  &c.  M""  Beach  introduced  me  to  his  Brother,  arrived  with 
his  family  from  Bristol,  a  Tobacconist,  an  intelligent  man,  &  fur- 
nished with  a  very  good  Library,  from  which  he  spared  for  my 
perusal  Martin's  diet,  of  Natural  History,  ornamented  with  figures 
highly  coloured.  We  were  received  in  the  best  manner  at  Captain 
Beach's ;  &  he  deserves  our  gratitude.  We  saw  here  specimens  of 
the  Cornwall  ores.  After  dinner  we  went  with  M"^  Rogers  to  see 
his  farm  of  300  acres  at  eastern  Point.  M"^  Rowe,  the  Attorney,  & 
Son  in  Law  of  M"^  Rogers  accompanied  us.  The  road  was  horrible, 
&  my  young  companion  after  travelling  across  the  neck  to  view  the 
Thatcher's  Island  lights  accompanied  me  into  the  Town  on  foot, 
both  of  us  dreading  to  ride  back  through  such  dangerous  passes. 
In  the  evening  there  was  an  assembly,  at  which  my  young  compan- 
ion attended.  He  gave  me  a  very  humorous  account.  They  had 
six  candles,  12  ladies,  7  gentlemen,  a  black  fiddler  for  2%  &  a  fifer 
for  1*  6.     Both  sexes  partook  of  the  grog  provided  on  the  occasion. 

7.  In  the  morning  we  breakfasted  at  M"^  Beach's  &  we  had  the 
company  of  the  two  english  young  Ladies,  Daughters  of  M""  Beach 
of  Bristol.  The  greatest  propriety  distinguished  this  social  hour. 
At  10,  we  left  Cape  Ann  &  reached  Manchester,  &  dined,  &  at  2 
o'clock  arrived  again  at  Salem.  We  were  told  at  Cape  Ann,  that 
they  could  with  difficulty  provide  hands  for  their  bankers,*  from  the 
general  persuasion  that  the  Bay  boats  were  more  lucrative,  &  from 
observing  the  success  of  Sandy  Bay,  Squam,  &  Chebacco.  Beach's 
rope  walk  was  in  great  good  order.  Sergeant's  now  shut  up,  it  is 
said,  is  sold  to  D.  Plummer.  Pearce  has  had  several  good  Whale 
voyages,  &  a  Ship  lay  ready  to  sail  for  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  He 
expects  to  set  his  Sperma  Ceti  works  agoing  again.  His  distillery 
has  stopped,  during  the  winter.     The  Meeting  House  is  repaired. 

8.  Contending  interest  for  the  School,  &  neither  of  the  Candi- 
dates such  as  might  be  thought  of.  Is  not  habitual  indolence 
prompted  by  suffering  more  to  be  hoped  for,  than  youthful  depravi- 
ty verging  to  intemperance,  irritation,  domestic  feuds,  &  vanity? 

10.  Sunday.     Notes.     Thomas  Diman  &  Wife,  her  sick. 

11.  This  day  for  the  annual  Town  meeting.  The  Selectmen 
were  chosen  for  the  first  time  within  my  knowledge  by  Ballot,t  & 

•Grand  Banks  fishing  fleet. 

tThe  earlier  practice  was  to  rise  and  stand  uncovered  until  counted. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  9 

not  one  of  the  former  number  was  recliosen,  38  votes  made  a  choice. 
The  school  Committee  enlarged.  Some  of  our  Clergym.  were  chosen 
but  declined. 

12.  Last  night  the  Chimney  in  the  back  part  of  Madam  Lam- 
bert's house*  on  the  Common  fell  upon  the  kitchen,  &  crushed  the 
whole.  It  was  damaged  by  Thunder  20  years  ago,  &  moved  by  the 
late  winds.  Three  women  in  the  other  part  of  tlie  house  were  safe. 
It  was  stark  calm  when  it  fell,  frost  coming  out  of  the  ground. 

14.  A  dismasted  Brig  off  bouud  to  Newbury.  News  from  Pat- 
terson his  vessel  has  leaked,  &  he  put  in  at  Cape  Francois.  Last 
evening  occurred  in  the  family  of  Esq"^  Manning  a  curious  example 
of  the  effect  of  religious  folly,  or  fanaticism  upon  young  women. 
A  girl  belonging  to  New  Mills  had  lived  in  the  family  as  a  servant. 
Before  her  engagements  she  had  been  dipped,  as  the  true  baj)tism, 
&  since  has  followed  night  &  day  the  runners.  After  she  had  got- 
ten into  bed,  she  dreamt  that  a  dead  neighbour  desired  her  to  put 
her  hand  into  the  coffin,  &  that  she  died.  She  awoke  in  terrible 
fright.  Her  whole  system  was  convulsed  for  three  hours.  All  the 
exertions  of  the  family  could  not  pacify  her.  Fortunately  for  her 
the  family  had  not  a  tincture  of  the  superstition.  Fearing  the  conse- 
quences, the  family  called  the  Physician ,  who  was  her  best  friend, 
&  put  her  to  sleep.  She  has  appeared  since  with  more  composure, 
&  some  conviction  of  her  folly,  perhaps  as  much  as  her  understand- 
ing can  admit,  while  she  feels  the  smart  of  the  Rod  for  a  naughty 
girl.  Yesterday  morning  died  the  Rev**  John  Murray!  of  Newbury 
Port.  He  was  an  active  Scotchman,  &  came  to  this  country,  but 
being  a  Presbyterian,  to  which  interest,  tho'  small  he  attached  him- 
self, he  was  called  upon  for  Credentials  from  his  own  church,  &  in 
the  Credentials  he  produced  there  was  some  fraud  for  which  his  rep- 
utation was  essentially  injured.  His  great  pulpit  talents  armed 
against  him  not  only  resentment,  but  envy,  censure,  &  excommuni- 
tiou.  His  defence  was  not  satisfactory,  but  he  retreated  to  Maine, 
&  at  Boothbay  was  useful  for  many  years.  Soon  after  the  death 
of  Whitefield  at  Newbury  Port,  the  P.  Church  was  vacant  till  the 
death  of  IVP  Parsons,  &  M""  Murray  was  invited  thither.  He  had 
demeaned  himself  so  as  to  gather  the  largest  Congregation  in  New 
England  which  commonly  consisted  of  1500  persons,  &  often  ex- 
ceeded 2000.  He  was  Calvinistic  in  his  doctrine  not  metaphysical 
in  his  genius  but  fine  memory,  great  fluency,  clear,  &  full  voice,  not 
much  gesture,  but  great  animation.  He  was  a  student,  &  more 
than  commonly  is  to  be  found,  versed  in  the  oriental  criticisms.  He 
produced  few  of  his  own,  &  had  little  invention.  He  has  been 
known  to  stand  six  hours  in  a  service,  I  have  been  present  at  four 
hours,  without  fatiguing  his  audience.  It  was  unhappy  that  his 
reputation  is  stained  by  many  evil  reports  of  his  mercenary,  &  un- 

•On  Brown  street  near  WiHiams  street. 

tFor  portrait,  see  Diary  of  W^illiam  Bentley,  D.D.,  Vol.  I,  p.  61. 


10  DIARY  OP  [March 

generous  actions.  How  far  they  are  true  is  very  uncertain.  It  is 
true  that  he  fell  into  hands  which  did  not  spare  him,  &  was  prohib- 
ited almost  all  the  pulpits  of  the  United  States.  He  was  the  head 
of  a  little  presbytery,  who  were  properly  Seceders.  His  Church 
Government  was  varied  from  the  letter  of  the  presbyterian  form. 
He  was  a  Gentleman  in  his  manners,  at  the  table,  &  among  his 
friends.  He  was  President  of  the  provincial  Congress  in  1775. 
He  has  left  several  pamphlets  &  Books  which  will  not  assist  his 
memory. 

15.  Had  an  oppertunity  of  writing  letters  for  a  natural  son  who 
had  accidentally  in  conversation  with  a  lady  upon  whom  he  attend- 
ed in  a  public  house,  heard  of  his  connections,  &  was  encouraged 
to  hope  favours  from  her  most  tender  intercessions.  M'Farrington 
a  celebrated  Singer  from  Andover,  employed  by  the  Tabernacle, 
visited  &  spent  the  evening  at  my  House  with  my  singers. 

16.  I  went  to  the  farms  to  the  beach  &  hills  in  a  summer  air, 
and  all  around  seemed  little  spring.  M"  Lydia  Gerry  was  with  me 
in  the  Chaise.  Capt  Collins  enlarging  his  tanyard  &  buildings  has 
again  disturbed  the  bones  of  the  Indians.  The  bones  were  of  a 
man  the  feet  stretched  out,  but  always  finding  the  cranium  &  ver- 
tebrae together,  it  is  concluded  all  must  have  been  placed  in  a  sitting 
posture.  There  was  found  a  stone  formed  with  a  head  resembling 
the  leads  fastened  to  cod  lines  as  used  by  the  Indians,  being  oval 
tapering  most  at  the  lower  end. 

17.  Sunday.  It  is  reported  that  the  Tabernacle  Ass  is  braying 
against  Heresy. 

19.  It  having  rained  in  the  morning,  I  delayed  setting  out  for 
Newbury  Port  till  eleven,  &  upon  the  road  was  informed  that  the 
funeral  of  the  Rev<^  J.  Murray,  of  Newbury  Port,  would  be  attend- 
ed this  evening.  The  roads  were  as  bad,  as  they  ever  are,  &  after 
having  dined  at  Ipswich  I  could  not  reach  Newbury  Port  till  after 
4  o'clock.  Upon  my  arrival  I  found  the  people  in  the  Meeting 
House,  &  with  difficulty  heard  the  close  of  the  last  prayer,  &  the 
Singing.  I  was  informed  that  the  first  prayer  was  by  D''  Langdon, 
of  Hampton,  the  Address  by  M^  Whittimore  of  Stratham,  &  the 
last  prayer  by  M""  Morrison  of  Londonderry.  The  order  of  the  day 
was  read  from  the  pulpit  by  M''  Tombe,  now  preaching  in  the  Con- 
gregation. After  service  the  procession  formed  for  the  Burial 
ground,  in  which  M"^  Miirray  requested  to  be  interred,  rather  than 
in  the  Tomb  under  the  Pulpit  with  M""  Whitefield,  Parsons  & 
Prince.  The  easy  access  to  it,  had  rendered  it  exposed  to  indecent 
freedoms,  which  disgusted  him.  In  the  procession  first  went  the 
Church,  Deacons  &  Elders,  &  the  Clergy  present  on  the  occasion. 
Then  the  corps  supported  by  young  men  of  the  Congregation,  &  the 
pall  supported  by  D""  Langdon,  D''  Bass,  D''  Haven,  McClintock,  M"" 
Euwer,  &  M^  Morrison.  Then  followed  the  relations  &  friends. 
Above  350  couple  were  in  the  procession,  &  crowds  in  the    street. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  11 

Above  6,000  people  were  collected  on  the  occasion.  After  the  ser- 
vice I  spent  the  evening  agreably  &  lodged  at  Doctor  Swett's.  D'' 
Swett  assured  me  that  M""  Murray  discovered  firmness  till  the  close 
of  life,  spent  the  time  in  exhorting  his  friends,  who  crowded 
round  his  dying  bed,  &  could  not  be  prevented  by  the  most  earnest 
remonstrances  of  his  friends,  &  the  physicians.  M''  Murray  gave 
them  to  sing  in  his  house  the  33  &  75  Hymns  of  the  2*^  Book,  Watts. 
20.  After  breakfast  with  Capt  Noyes  I  rode  up  to  the  bridge 
over  the  IMerrimack,  &  confess  myself  much  pleased  with  plan  & 
the  object.  The  execution  is  equal  to  the  design.  The  proportions 
I  had  already  seen.  The  Island  may  be  rendered  delightful  &  there 
is  a  public  House  already  erected  by  the  proprietors  of  the  Bridge 
upon  the  Island,  &  it  is  nearly  finished.  As  yet  it  has  produced 
nearly  double  to  the  simple  interest  of  the  money,  but  how  far  curi- 
osity, &  the  openness  of  the  winter,  by  which  the  ice  has  been  im- 
passable, may  come  into  the  account,  cannot  yet  be  determined.  I 
returned  &  dined  in  company  with  the  M''  Traceys,  &  Jackson  & 
D''  Swett,  with  Col.  Wigglesworth.  He  is  a  hospitable  man,  sui 
generis.  His  little  daughter  gave  us  some  pleasing  specimens  of 
her  music  in  singing.  In  the  evening  we  visited  S'  Peter's  Lodge. 
The  reception  was  kind.  The  tables  diagonally  placed,  the  com- 
pany too  numerous  for  the  tables,  the  room  badly  illuminated. 
The  lodge  was  opened  &  closed  with  Prayer.  The  Master  M.  Gale. 
The  subject  was  opened  to  them,  &  the  principal  difficulty  consid- 
ered was  the  assumption  of  the  present  G,  Lodge.  How  they  could 
form  a  Grand  Lodge  with  the  Powers  they  possessed.  It  was  re- 
plied that  the  interest  of  Masonry  being  divided  by  antient  & 
modern,  neither  could  be  renounced,  &  the  work  must  be  done  by 
coalition.  That  the  political  state  of  our  country  rendered  this 
measure  the  more  justifiable.  That  if  we  repaired  to  Scotland,  why 
should  a  Charter  from  them  prevent  a  regard  to  the  York,  &  Eng- 
lish or  French  Lodges.  Why  should  we  enter  upon  these  disputes. 
Did  we  assume  what  was  not  in  the  sense  of  the  Charter.  And  did 
not  important  events  lead  to  the  assumption.  It  was  asked  why 
was  the  G.  Lodge  modern.  Because  all  Lodges  held  their  Charters, 
&  the  majority  of  the  Communications  were  modern.  If  Members 
of  old  Lodges  asked  charters  must  they  work  in  the  modern  way. 
Not  if  they  were  considered  as  Ancient  Masons,  by  a  majority  of 
their  members  being  antient,  because  then  they  claimed  under  their 
old  Charters.  After  debates  the  Lodges  unanimousl}'  voted  a  Com- 
mittee, &  thanks  to  the  G.  L.  The  members  of  the  S*  John's  Lodge 
who  were  present  assured  me  that  a  committee  of  Conference  be- 
tween them  &  S*  Peter's  L.  had  been  chosen.  That  their  present 
plan,  was,  to  unite  with  S*  Peter's,  provided  they  would  come  under 
the  present  G.  Lodge,  &  then  they  would  give  to  them  for  the  Stock, 
their  present  fund  exceeding  50  £,  as  their  charter  had  been  lost 
for  many  years,  &  they  had  had  no  regular  Lodges  held  for  several 


12  DIARY  OF  [March 

years.  They  confessed  that  the  royal  Arch  by  its  frequent  meet- 
ings had  dissolved  this  Lodge,  which  seperated  from  S*  Peters. 
Spent  evening  at  D""  Swetts  with  some  french  company. 

21.  Breakfasted  with  M*"  J.  Tracey,  spent  Morning  with  M^ 
Jackson  &  D'"  Bass,  &  rode  to  the  Academy*  &  dined  with  the  Pre- 
ceptor. The  road  was  very  bad,  &  clay,  &  a  violent  snow  storm 
came  on,  which  lasted  all  day.  The  Academy  is  much  repaired,  a 
new  white  balustrade  fence  is  before  the  Mansion  House.  The  Old 
School  built  for  M.  Moody,  &  since  a  writing  school,  is  neglected. 
It  contains  only  the  great  desk  provided  by  M"^  Moody  for  the  Acad- 
emy chamber,  which  is  now  cleared  for  exhibitions.  There  are 
about  20  youth  at  the  Academy,  &  the  Preceptor  is  a  man  of  great 
diligence.  He  usually  preaches  in  the  academy  on  Sundays.  In  the 
evening  I  was  received  at  Swasey's  Tavern  by  a  Committee  from 
the  Unity  Lodge  in  Ipswich.  The  members  present  were  the  Mas- 
ter Col.  Wade,  the  Secretary  Major  Burnham,  &  Major  Swasey,  & 
Capt.  Dodge.  They  represented  their  Lodge  as  having  only  12 
members  &  seemed  more  retarded  by  the  smallness  of  their  numbers 
than  any  other  cause.  In  the  war  their  members  exceeded  forty. 
Capt.  Dodge  was  with  me  in  the  Convention,  &  still  seemed 
wounded  with  the  idea  of  working  under  modern  masons,  an  idea 
which  had  been  expressed  with  some  warmth  by  B.  Boardman,  past 
Master,  in  S*  Peter's  Lodge.  It  was  agreed  to  give  me  Letters  &  I 
found  afterwards  to  pay  my  expenses.  We  supped  together,  &  I 
enjoyed  the  Company  of  a  very  respectable  Committee. 

22.  Rose  early,  &  after  breakfast  returned  home.  The  roads 
very  bad.  Newbury  Port  is  evidently  flourishing.  Many  new 
houses  in  high  Street ;  &  Stores  opening  on  account  of  the  position 
of  the  Bridge  three  miles  above  the  Town.  Several  french  families 
here,  &  a  greater  number  of  emigrants  than  in  any  other  place  ex- 
cept Boston.  Great  West  India  Trade.  The  Anabaptists,  &  Mil- 
tonians  are  preparing  for  a  harvest  upon  the  death  of  M^'  Murray, 
who  united  the  lower  classes  of  people.  M"^  Bancroft  has  resigned 
the  Town  Grammar  School,  &  Master  Rogers  has  engaged  to  enter 
upon  it  next  Monday.  He  engaged  with  the  greatest  preposses- 
sions in  his  favour.  He  has  taught  writing  &  reading,  &  therefore 
he  certainly  can  teach  Latin,  &  Greek.  The  teaching  by  Duncan's 
Cicero,  &  Davidson's  Virgil  is  so  common,  said  the  Preceptor  of 
Dummer  Academy  to  me,  that  no  other  School  Books  are  to  be  found. 
The  Select  Orations  of  Tully,  without  a  version  cannot  be  purchased. 
The  new  way  is  taught  at  the  Andover  Academ}', 

23.  My  old  Genevan  friend,  Albert  Gallatine,  who  came  into 
this  country  a  Pilgrim,  has  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  &  is  chosen  a 
member  of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  He  was  introduced  by 
D'  Cooper  to  be  Instructor  in  the  french  Language  at  Cambridge. 

♦Dummer  Academy,  Byfield.    See  Diary  of  William  Bentley,  D.D.,  Vol.  I.  p.  291. 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  13 

Great  complaints  of  the  stagnation  of  business  in  Boston.  The  af- 
fair of  Forrester  &  Ward,  decided  against  Forrester,  he  is  to  pay 
the  parish  Tax  assessed  upon  him  for  his  house,  &  property.  Thus 
ends  a  long  debate  in  the  parish. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  Elizabeth  Watson  &  Mary  Gardner,  d.  of 
Sister  Collins,  aet.  84,  at  Marblehead.  Joanna  Silsbee,  apprehended 
near  unto  death.  Judith  Archer,  her  delivery,  husband  &  brother 
at  Sea.  I  prepared  a  sermon  shewing  the  resemblance  between 
Asses  &  false  prophets  from  II  Peter  11.  16.  but  influenced  by  the 
advice  of  a  discreet  female  friend  to  whom  I  communicated  it,  I 
withheld  it  from  the  pulpit,  as  tending  to  excite  too  much  laughter 
&  enjoyed  it  with  a  few  select  friends  at  a  private  reading.  The 
occasion  was  the  late  declamations  at  the  tabernacle,  against  Uni- 
tarians, modern  communicants,  &  the  cant  of  an  Ass.  This  man 
asserted  Unitarians  were  Atheists,  because  to  deny  the  divinity  of 
Jesus  Christ,  was  to  deny  a  God,  because  he  was  a  person  in  the 
Godhead. 

25.  The  melancholy  news  of  the  beheading  of  the  Roi  de  France 
is  confirmed  in  the  public  opinion,  &  the  event  is  regretted  most 
sincerely  by  all  thinking  people.  The  french  loose  much  of  their 
influence  upon  the  hearts  of  the  Americans  by  this  event. 

28.  This  day  was  printed  in  the  Town  an  handbill,  being  the 
substance  of  the  News  from  France  by  the  last  Ship  from  Dublin. 

29.  The  Committee  this  day  examining  the  claims  of  the  Town 
below  the  lands  of  Ives  &  Richardson,  &  at  the  bottom  of  the  Com- 
mon, &  on  the  flats  adjoining,  in  consequence  of  Richardson's  peti- 
tion for  a  deed  of  gift.  It  was  proposed  to  me  to  petition  the  Town 
for  liberty  to  take  such  rocks  from  the  Poor's  Pasture,  as  would  be 
sufficient  to  inclose  the  part  of  the  Minister's  pasture  belonging  to 
my  shave,  at  the  southern  end  of  said  pasture,  from  the  impractica- 
bility of  keeping  rail  fence  around  it. 

31.  Sunday.  M""  Harris  in  Town,  who  is  a  Candidate  at  Lynn. 
He  informs  me  that  the  Methodists  are  very  impertinent  in  the  ques- 
tions which  they  propose  to  the  Ministers  of  the  Congregational 
Communion,  &  are  very  assiduous  to  keep  up  the  ill  will  of  the 
parties  by  management.  Little  prospect  of  being  agreably  settled 
soon.  The  same  seems  to  be  true  in  the  parish,  lately  held  by  M'' 
Holt,  of  lower  Danvers. 

April  1.  [1793]  The  Bells  were  ringing  all  day  for  the  several 
meetings  of  the  Town.  The  choice  of  Senator*  for  the  federal  Gov- 
ernment being  between  Holten,  &  Austin.  The  friends  of  the  lat- 
ter sent  on  votes  with  no  small  degree  of  resentment  on  the  part  of 
some  rich  men,  even  in  the  meeting.  For  the  choice  of  Senators 
for  the  State,  Salem  had  been  urged  to  nominate  one  of  its  inhabi- 
tants, but  such  contrary  opinions  prevailed  of  characters,  &  such 

♦Representative. 


14  DIARY  OF  [April 

numbers  had  votes,  as  to  frustrate  the  design,  &  add  little  to  the 
reputation  of  the  Town.  The  Town  refused  the  opening  of  the 
Hospital.  Appointed  a  committee  to  examine  the  spot  for  the  new 
road  by  the  Tabernacle,  &  accepted  the  report  upon  the  petition  of 
Richardson,  obliging  him  to  remove  all  obstructions,  &  appointing 
the  Committee  to  see  the  same  put  in  execution.  A  road  forty  feet 
wide  is  to  be  laid  out,  the  residue  of  the  land  on  the  south  side  is 
to  be  sold  reasonably  to  the  proprietors,  &c. 

2.  Several  notices  have  been  taken  of  the  death  of  the  French 
King.  In  Boston  a  black  rose  on  the  left  breast  of  the  Ladies,  &  in 
Providence  we  are  told  they  tolled  the  bells  in  the  evening  after  the 
news  arrived.     We  see  too  little  theory  in  the  Americans. 

3.  The  sensations  which  are  most  painful  to  me,  &  which  com- 
monly require  great  guards  especially  over  temper.  Exercise  is  my 
remedy. 

4.  Went  &  viewed  the  house  which  M"^  Rhust  is  building  in  the 
new  back  street,  leading  from  the  Court  House  to  the  Town  House 
for  Twine,  &  Cod  Lines.  It  extends  over  the  Bank,  which  he  is 
now  preparing  for  the  walk  of  the  spinners. 

5.  Was  circulated  here  in  the  form  of  Ballads,  &c.  an  Elegy  & 
character  of  Murray  of  Newbury  Port, — purporting  to  have  been 
written  by  a  Jonathan  Plummer,  in  which  by  the  dogril  verses  & 
the  curious  character,  the  Hero  of  the  piece  is  held  up  to  contempt, 
&  a  strange  curiosity  excited  to  investigate  all  the  exceptionable 
parts  of  every  exceptionable  character.  It  is  not  known  here  how 
many  hands  were  concerned  in  it. 

6.  The  people,  or  rather  the  ladies,  have  a  plan  of  a  genteel 
present  to  characterise  the  tenth  year  of  my  mission. 

7.  Sunday.  Samuel  Leach  &  Wife,  her  delivery  &  d.  of  the 
Child.  Anna  Foot,  her  delivery.  Husband  &  brethren  at  Sea.  A 
night  meeting  of  most  bitter  invectives,  &c. 

8.  A  Present  from  a  number  of  Ladies  in  my  society,  whose 
names  &  subscription  I  insert  from  grateful  remembrance.  The 
plan  was  projected  by  M"  Hodges,  Wife  of  Benj%  &  the  Gown,  &c. 
made  by  M"  Gibaut  &  M'^  Whittemore. 

Allen,  Wife  of  Edward,       67  Cooke,  of  WilHam,  678 

Archer,   "     of  George,  6/  Crownin shield,  of  George,    6/ 

Boardman,  Wid.  of  F.,  12/  Crowninshield,  of  Benj%       6/ 

Bickford,  of  John,  6/  Derby,  Miss  Elizab.,  6/ 

Briggs,  of  Johnson,  6/  Fiske,  of  John,  13/4 

Byrne,  of  Clifford,  6/  Hodges,  of  Benj%  12/ 

Berry,  Abigail,  6/8  Hodges,  of  Gam.,  12/ 

Brooks,  of  Samuel,  6/  Hodges,  of  George,  6/ 

Brown,  of  W™,  3/  Hovey,  of  Amos,  6/ 

Cooke,  Miss  Betsey,  12/  Hosmer,  of  Joseph,  6/ 

Collins,  of  John,  6/  Ingersoll,  of  Sam.,  12/ 

Chever,  of  James,  6/  Lambert,  of  Joseph,  6/ 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  15 

Manning,  Elizabeth,  6^  TownsencI,  of  Moses,  678 

Manning,  of  Rich,  jun''  6/  Richardson,  of  Nath.,  12/ 

Patterson,  of  W">,  6/  White,  of  Joseph,  12/ 

Prince,  of  Henry,  6/  White,  of  Isaac,  12/ 

Phippen,  of  Nath.,  3/  Welman,  of  Timothy,  6/ 

Eopes,  of  Sam'  6/  Watson,  of  John,  6/ 

Ropes,  of  George  6/  Vincent,  of  Joseph,  6/ 

Palfrey,  of  Thomas  6/  Vincent,  of  Mathew,  6/ 

Sleuman,  of  Andrew  6/  Webb,  of  Benjamin,  6/ 

Rantolph,  Widow  of  Rob*     6/  43  persons  £15,  9,  4. 

Thanked  in  form. 

9.  At  the  first  election  of  Selectmen,  all  the  first  were  neglected. 
The  new  chosen  resigned  or  declined,  the  first  were  reelected. 
Northey  &  Sprague  declined. 

10.  M'  Farrington  of  Andover  begun  his  singing  School  this  week. 
He  has  been  teaching  for  the  Tabernacle,  &  for  the  first  time,  the 
Singers  themselves  have  employed  a  Master,  after  engagements  to 
assist  them  with  about  twenty  dollars  for  the  quarter. 

11.  The  Annual  Fast.  John  Collins  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  brother  at 
Liverpool  in  Nova  Scotia.     The  Contribution  this  day  £  9,  18,  0. 

12.  The  information  from  the  decrees  of  France,  &  the  message 
of  the  King  of  England  sufiicient  to  satisfy  us  that  France  has  de- 
clared war  against  England  &  Holland.  This  is  the  topick  of  the 
day,  &  there  is  a  general  anxiety  to  know  what  part  America  is  to 
take  by  the  treaty  with  France.  The  conversation  will  shew  which 
is  most  powerful,  honour,  or  interest. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  Lydia  Townsend,  delivery,  Husband  & 
Brethren  at  Sea.  M'  Eliot  in  Town  from  Boston,  &  spent  a  few 
hours  with  me.  Undertook  to  form  a  discourse  upon  the  subject  of 
my  present  from  the  Ladies  of  the  Congregation.  Such  things  are 
more  easily  pardoned  when  they  are  expected,  but  they  loose  their 
effect. 

15.  Walked  to  Beverly  to  enquire  of  a  vessel,  which  had  arrived 
there. 

16.  Things  at  Market  rising  as  exports  for  a  war  price.  Molas- 
ses falling. 

17.  So  metime  since  outrages  were  committed  in  Boston  ag.  the 
Fire  Engines,  pumps,  &c.,  &  no  person  was  detected  upon  the 
promise  of  a  large  reward  by  the  Town.  Last  Monday  evening 
Trinity  Church  was  broken  open,  Elegant  Bibles  stolen,  cushions 
cut  &  the  ornaments  defaced,  the  Organ  &  clock  injuried,  &  the 
windows  broken,  &  a  reward  of  100  dollars  is  offered  for  the  vil- 
lains. Such  things  are  repeated  at  Cambridge  &  Boston,  &  the 
same  thing  happened  at  D'  Cooper's  Meeting  many  years  ago. 

_  18.  Capt.  Patterson  sent  me  a  box  of  Books.  They  discovered 
his  intention,  but  they  absorbed  much  time  to  get  them  from  the 
Vessel,  &  were  of  very  little  value. 


16  DIARY  OF  [April 

19.  We  have  no  information  of  the  first  bold  stroke  upon  the 
opening  the  war.  The  newspapers  are  eagerly  called  for  from  every 
quarter,  &  the  places  of  concourse  are  frequented  every  day  with 
great  solicitude. 

20.  News  by  Letters  from  Hodges  of  his  safe  arrival  in  E.  Indies, 
of  Gibaut's  detention  in  Pegu,  &c.  Parties  begin  to  appear  for  & 
against  the  french.  The  old  friends  of  England  begin  again  to  shew 
their  heads. 

21.  Sunday.  Thomas  Diman  &  Daughter,  d.  of  his  Wife. 
Mansfield  Burrill  &  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of  her  mother 
Silsbee.  Martha  Babbidge  &  children,  d.  of  her  mother  Silsbee,  & 
Son  at  Sea.  Sarah  Silsbee  &  children,  d.  of  her  mother  in  Law 
Silsbee,  &  son  at  sea. 

23.  Set  off  for  Tewkesbury  to  visit  my  old  Landlady.  Did  not 
easily  recollect  the  road  in  Danvers,  which  turned  off  1  1-2  mile  to 
the  left,  &  again  about  3  miles  at  a  house  projecting  at  the  angle. 
Keeps  to  the  right  directly.  After  stopping  at  the  Widow  Upton's 
found  the  left  hand  direct  road,  the  highest,  not  the  best,  &  when 
I  came  within  sight  of  the  precinct  Meeting  house  of  Eeading,  I 
turned  to  the  right  &  came  out  by  the  meeting  house,  when  70  rods 
nearer,  I  might  have  kept  on  &  come  out  at  the  public  house,  1/2 
a  mile  beyond  the  Meeting  House.  After  having  passed  Wilming- 
ton above  a  mile  past  Esq''  Ford's  on  turning  to  the  right  I  passed 
between  the  House  &  Barn  which  were  the  second  on  the  road,  then 
kept  to  the  left,  &  upon  passing  the  Shawshin  rode  upon  the  banks 
of  the  River  to  the  Mills  &  to  Boardman's.  After  dinner  I  rode 
on  to  Andover  through  Tewkesbury  woods.  It  is  five  miles  from 
Boardman's  to  the  South  Meeting.  The  road  direct.  Some  danger 
of  turning  to  the  right.  Passed  the  Shawshin  below  the  south 
meeting  house,  which  was  then  a  beautiful  stream.  I  stopped  at 
the  meeting  House  lately  finished  &  obtained  entrance.  The  ex- 
terior appearance  is  the  best.  The  house  is  crowded  within  &  has 
no  pleasing  appearance  from  the  proportions.  It  has  a  pendant 
canopy,  &  an  inscription  over  the  pulpit.  Holiness  becomes  thy 
house  O  Lord,  forever.  The  communion  Table  is  in  what  we  called 
the  Elder's  seat.  So  that  we  find  the  desenters  begin  to  inclose  & 
we  are  told  as  to  the  discipline  they  enclose  in  this  place  with  a 
vengeance.  The  way  to  mount  the  Tower  is  not  convenient.  The 
Bell  is  in  the  Tower,  &  too  much  enclosed.  It  is  a  fine  Bell,  &  is 
the  gift  of  Samuel  Abbot  Esq""  whose  name  is  upon  it  with  this  In- 
scription. To  all  the  people  I  do  call,  &  to  the  grave  do  summon 
all.  It  is  deep  toned,  &  excellent.  The  lantern,  as  it  is  called, 
upon  the  dome  has  not  so  good  an  effect,  as  I  should  have  wished 
for  so  much  expence.  There  are  a  number  of  fine  houses  in  the 
great  road  which  have  a  fine  effect  upon  the  Traveller,  &  astonish 
him  noticeably  with  the  idea  of  ease  by  affluence.  The  Farms  have 
great  neatness,  &  convenience.     I  then  went  on  to  M"^  Isaac  Parker's 


1793]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  17 

&  Col.  Lovejoy's  at  the  entrance  of  a  Lane  about  1/4  of  a  mile  on 
the  south  side  of  the  South  Meeting  House.  I  found  in  one  a  good 
farmer  &  in  the  other  a  very  attentive  Gentleman.  The  farmer  has 
everything  in  order  around  him,  &  much  of  that  facetiousness 
which  makes  the  most  laborious  employment  set  easy.  He  has  a 
wife  &  four  very  young  daughters  very  agreable.  The  family  were 
baptised  by  me  last  fall.  An  aged  father,  trembling  with  the  palsy 
in  the  limbs,  &  helpless,  with  a  good  coantenance  bore  ample  testi- 
mony by  his  language  &  appearance  to  the  fidelity  of  his  children. 
He  had  been  an  old  soldier  in  the  french  wars  &  had  a  very  open, 
&  engaging  look.  The  son  had  been  in  the  American  naval  service 
in  the  last  Civil  war  of  America.  At  this  house,  which  is  furnished 
with  a  large  chamber,  this  evening  a  company  of  20  couple  were  to 
assemble  for  dancing  &  amusement.  They  visit  this  house  for  these 
purposes  in  classes,  according  to  their  ages,  not  with  any  regard  to 
their  condition,  as  in  the  Seaport  Towns.  They  seperated  at  the 
usual  hours  of  Assemblies.  They  have  Violins  &  flutes  for  their 
music,  &  sometimes  the  drum.  For  the  convenience  of  Lodging  after 
Tea  I  went  to  Col.  Lovejoy's.  He  conducted  me  to  the  North 
meeting  house,  which  was  built  40  years  ago.  The  order  of  the 
Door  has  not  that  appearance  which  the  improvements  in  archi- 
tecture would  give  it  at  this  day.  The  hipped  roof  of  the  Porch  I 
prefer  to  the  pediment  of  the  new  House.  The  steeple  is  too  small 
as  it  rises  from  the  dome,  but  the  ill  effect  has  been  lessened  since 
the  late  repairs  by  diminishing  the  shaft  above.  The  interior  view 
of  this  house  from  the  convenience  of  parts  makes  it  look  larger 
than  the  other  house,  &  it  is  much  better  finished  throughout.  The 
swell  of  the  pulpit  is  not  sufficiently  large  but  the  whole  has  a  good 
effect.  They  have  a  clock  upon  the  front  gallery,  &  a  very  excel- 
lent one  in  the  Steeple  with  pointers.  The  pendulum  is  not  hung 
with  ease,  but  the  clock  is  good.  The  bell  of  about  500  W*  is  sharp 
&  clear,  a  good  tone.  We  returned  to  the  Col's  &  after  familiar 
chat  we  retired  in  good  season. 

24.  This  morning  we  rose  &  rode  3  miles  towards  the  river. 
Then  walked  to  the  place  intended  for  the  New  Bridge,  &  for 
which  the  Banks  are  cut  down  to  move  the  Timber,  &  here  we  saw 
the  people  on  each  side  seining  for  Salmon  &  other  fish.  We  saw  a 
1000  alewives  caught  in  one  draught.  They  had  taken  one  salmon 
of  20  w' :  pick  [er]  el,  shad,  suckers,  &c.  Their  method  was  in  a  flat 
boat  of  about  14  feet  in  length,  &  three  in  breadth  with  a  wide 
stern,  upon  which  is  a  table  for  the  seine,  which  is  furnished  with 
scuppers  to  void  the  water.  With  this  they  go  up  the  eddy  formed 
by  a  projection  of  rocks  &  logs  into  the  river,  &  then  row  violently 
into  the  stream  [and]  discharge  the  net  from  the  stern.  On  the 
shore  two  men  hold  the  rope  fastened  to  the  seine  &  begin  instantly 
to  draw  down.  The  men  in  the  boat  quicken  the  motion  of  the 
boat  in  the  stream  till  the  whole  seine  is  drawn  from  the  boat   & 


18  DIARY  OF  [April 

then  make  towards  the  shore,  the  rope  from  the  boat  to  the  seine 
being  about  3  times  the  length  of  the  boat,  as  is  the  length  of  the 
wood,  which  forms  the  eddy.  The  men  on  the  shore  continue  to 
draw  down  till  they  have  come  within  100  feet  of  the  boatmen,  & 
then  draw  the  ends  of  the  seine  upon  the  shore.  Then  they  pull 
up  the  seine,  clearing  it  as  it  comes  up  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
shore.  Then  they  rest  a  few  minutes  till  the  fish  cease  their  furi- 
ous slapping  in  the  water,  &  then  they  empty  the  seine,  &  begin 
again.  The  Seine  is  about  100  feet  long.  It  is  sunk  at  bottom  by 
the  leads,  &  floated  at  top  by  wooden  buoys,  2  feet  distance.  The 
intertexture  of  the  lines  is  called  the  Marish.  The  middle  of  this 
seine  was  of  the  alewif  e  marish,  of  a  smaller  texture  than  the  other 
parts.  We  received  a  dozen  of  the  alewives  from  the  fishermen, 
who  sold  them  at  2*/  pr.  100,  or  as  caught  in  the  brooks  by  the 
order  of  the  Town,  at  a  pistareen.  The  vote  of  the  Town  last  year 
was  that  a  committee  should  be  chosen  to  fish  in  the  brooks  at  the 
Town  charge,  &  the  fish  were  to  be  delivered  at  a  pistareen  pr.  100. 
We  left  the  river  »&  then  rode  through  the  woods,  which  are  of  pine 
shrubs,  &  exhibit  a  melancholy  contrast  to  the  other  parts  of  the 
town.  The  buildings,  the  inhabitants,  &  the  animals,  all  shew  the 
unfavourable  soil  upon  which  they  are  employed.  After  a  zigzag 
ride  of  four  miles,  repeatedly  crossing  the  sweet  stream  of  the 
Shawshin,  which  here  finished  its  course  in  the  Merrimack,  we  ar- 
rived at  the  Paper  Mills  erected  upon  this  river,  &  found  them  in 
great  order.  The  vats  below,  the  two  mills  above,  the  conveyance 
of  the  water,  the  various  employments  of  the  persons  at  work,  of 
both  sexes,  gave  pleasing  entertainment.  The  drying  rooms  were 
large,  &  convenient  upon  every  account.  The  powder  mills  were  a 
novel  sight,  upon  the  construction  of  Fulling  mills  as  to  the  motion 
given  to  the  pestles  in  the  mortars,  by  levers  from  the  axis  of  the 
wheel.  We  then  passed  the  S.  Meeting  towards  home,  which  we 
reached  at  noon.  We  dined  on  Salmon,  &  the  Alewives  were  re- 
ceived &  the  alewives  fresh  made  no  mean  entertainment  at  the 
Col's  Table.  We  were  much  indebted  undoubtedly  to  the  Cook, 
who  excelled  on  the  occasion.  After  dinner  I  returned  through 
Boxford  &  Topsfield  to  Salem,  which  tho'  of  a  distance  much 
greater  than  on  the  roads  by  Reading  or  Middleton,  amply  compen- 
sated me  by  the  goodness  of  the  roads,  the  fine  farms,  the  beautiful 
landscapes,  ponds  &  rivers.  At  Topsfield  I  spent  an  hour  in  chear- 
f  ul  chat  in  a  wedding  house  where  the  minister,  Lawyer,  squire,  &c. 
were  assembled,  the  men  in  one  room,  &  their  wives  in  another,  the 
men  having  the  best  room,  &  all  the  attendance.  For  my  amuse- 
ment besides  anecdotes,  &c.  I  was  furnished  with  several  late  pub 
lications  of  the  ministers  in  this  neighbourhood  which  informs  us  of 
the  state  of  this  order  which  has  so  much  influence  on  society. 
Bradford  of  Rowley,  Sermon  at  the  Ord.  of  his  Brother  forms  the 
clerical  character  upon  the  cant  term  of  "experience"  which  will 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  19 

admit  of  many  consequences,  being  explained  only  by  inward  light. 
Dutch  of  Bradford,  at  the  dedication  of  his  new  Meeting  House, 
taking  as  his  text  the  gold  letters  over  his  pulpit,  "  0  worship  the 
Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness,"  runs  along  in  a  muddy  stream,  till 
he  unburdens  himself  with  the  account  of  the  oblivion  of  the  old 
house,  which  should  teach  them  to  put  into  the  bottomless  pit ;  the 
same ;  their  old  man,  not  the  old  minister  who  was  already  dead. 
Williams  of  Methuen  has  offered  to  the  world  his  farewell  sermons, 
after  a  most  bitter  dissention.  He  is  a  son  of  an  old  Presbyterian 
Williams,  natives  of  Ireland  &  the  father  often  deranged.  The 
dispute  began  about  a  Wood  lot  of  the  Parsonage  &  a  challenge 
from  the  pulpit  at  a  weekly  Lecture,  which  one  of  the  parishioners 
accepted.  The  parson  seems  to  wish  them  well,  but  is  terribly  in- 
veterate against  a  class  of  illiterate  ministers,  &  a  class  called 
Hopkintonians,  tho'  not  here  named.  Neither  of  these  perform- 
ances contribute  much  to  prove  the  clergy  enlightened,  simple  in 
the  ideas,  or  sweet  in  their  tempers.  The  inscription  upon  their 
Houses  is  not  in  the  style  of  sentiment  of  the  New  England  settlers, 
&  proves  infallibly,  that  the  Catholic  Church  is  formed  of  mate 
rials  existing  in  the  constitution  of  human  nature,  as  connected 
with  certain  states  of  society.  The  I.  H.  S.  on  the  front  of  the  S. 
Pulpit  iu  Andover  may  well  express  in  Humanitate  Sum.  In 
drawing  comparisons  nothing  can  be  said  in  favour  of  these  men,  as 
in  their  office,  in  regard  to  society,  we  see,  morals  will  make  the 
worst  opinions  harmless. 

The  situation  of  Andover  being  elevated  there  are  fine  prospects 
from  its  hills,  &  the  view  of  the  Town  is  opened  in  every  part,  & 
beautifully  diversified.  There  are  seven  bridges  over  the  Shaw- 
shin,  which  is  nearly  of  the  same  width  &  depth  through  the  Town 
of  Andover.  It  is  said  to  rise  in  Lexington.  Seems  as  large  in 
Tewkesbury  as  at  its  mouth,  &  being  deep  in  its  bed,  &  confined,  is 
subject  to  sudden  flows.  It  is  about  20  feet  wide,  &  from  2  to  6 
deep,  where  it  is  not  obstructed.  The  Town  of  Andover  is  much 
cut  up  by  roads.  The  poverty  of  the  Land  towards  the  Merrimac 
prevents  this  from  being  a  great  evil  in  that  quarter.  The  Shawshin 
rises  &  falls  10  feet  in  12  hours,  &  the  bridges  are  high  upon  that 
account,  but  too  narrow,  an  evil  from  being  a  Town  charge.  There 
is  not  much  fishing  in  this  river,  which  is  obstructed  by  the  Mills 
built  upon  it.  I  saw  some  children  with  scoop  nets  amusing  them- 
selves. I  found  my  friend  Boardman  has  detached  his  interest 
from  M''  Simons,  renouncing  all  right  in  the  house  near  the  mills  & 
the  lands,  &  giving  up  the  Mills  saw  &  grist  mills  upon  the  Shaw- 
shin for  an  annual  quit  rent  of  50  bushels  of  grain  during  Board- 
man's  life.  They  have  settled  a  M""  Barton  at  Tewkesbury.  Mad- 
am Boardman  has  passed  her  80*"^  year.  The  land  is  in  general 
poor  in  the  Town  of  Tewkesbury.  Salmon  here  at  /5^  a  pound. 
As  to  the  Cultivation  of  Andover,  I  found  at  Col.  Lovejoy's  that  he 


20  DIARY  OF  [April 

had  the  reputation  of  the  greatest  quantity  of  English  Hay,  &  that 
M""  Parker  had  preserved  excellent  wood  upon  his  farm.  Among 
the  elegant  houses,  the  one  which  meets  us  coming  into  the  great 
road  from  Tewkesbury,  belonging  to  one  Poor,  a  Tanner,  is  not  the 
least  elegant.  There  are  several  Physicians  in  the  Town,  among 
whom  Kitteridge  is  distinguished  by  his  elegant  situation,  agreeable 
manners,  &  extensive  practice.  The  minister  in  the  south  parish 
asserts  the  rigour  of  his  predecessor,  &  supports  the  character  of  the 
last  age  of  American  manners.  The  influence  of  example  is  every 
day  increasing.  He  decides  upon  the  secular  concerns  of  his  church 
agreably  to  the  antient  rigour.  The  most  aged  minister  in  this  vi- 
cinity, M''  Morrill,  is  approaching  to  the  end  of  a  long  life  by 
means  of  a  Cancer  in  the  Mouth.  He  has  been  subjected  to  great 
mortifications  for  Arminianism,  a  charge  which  implies  liberal 
enquiry,  &  popular  prejudice,  &  stands  for  anything  unhappy  in  a 
man's  situation.  I  returned  to  Salem  with  S*  Cyprian's  works,  &  a 
bunch  of  sweet  Thyme  for  the  Ladies,  &  so  ended  a  short  journey 
in  which  the  roads  were  in  the  best  order,  &  the  weather  the  finest 
conceivable.     I  rode  without  surtout. 

25.  We  hear  that  the  Academy  at  Berwick  is  to  be  opened  under 
Samuel  Moody,  formerly  of  Newbury.  Great  complaints  of  coun- 
terfeit dollars  &  dollars  short  of  weight. 

26.  The  prejudices  &  the  fears  begin  to  display  themselves  in 
regard  to  the  war  in  Europe.  Reports  are  propagated  that  the 
American  minister  in  France  has  been  insulted  &  even  killed  by  the 
mob.     Stories  in  endless  variety  are  in  circulation. 

27.  For  our  amusement  a  fishing  Schooner  was  launched  by 
Capt  John  Becket  from  his  Wharf.  The  clock  was  hoisted  this  af- 
ternoon into  the  steeple  after  having  been  cleansed  by  M'  Mulliken. 
The  Bell  is  crackt  through. 

28.  Sunday.  A  French  Opera  has  been  performed  at  Boston,  a 
curious  progress  of  Theatrical  exhibitions,  which  it  has  been  said 
are  intended  to  assist  the  pulpit.  Notes.  John  Fiske  &  Wife,  d.  of 
her  Brother  Wendell  at  Antigua.  Mary  Bowditch  &  children,  d.  of 
her  son  John,  &  Children  at  Sea.  Benj'*  Archer  &  wife,  her  deliv- 
ery, Brethren  at  Sea. 

29.  M''  Atwell  &  Mansfield  of  Lynn,  musicians,  with  me  this 
evening.  They  recommended  &  performed  the  music  of  one  Oliver 
Holden.  From  a  great  scarcity  of  such  kind  of  Books,  &  almost  the 
want  of  Composers  in  the  Bay,  we  find  the  market  glutted  with 
their  productions.  The  most  successful  Books  in  this  way  now  are 
the  "  Collections,"  which  have  a  little  of  each,  excite  a  curiosity, 
&  gratify  it  enough  to  keep  the  Music  in  circulation. 

30.  The  Ship  Commerce  has  been  stranded  on  the  coast  of 
Arabia.  She  belonged  to  Boston.  The  greater  part  of  the  men 
perished  or  were  left  upon  the  road  travelling  from  the  place  of 
their  misfortune  towards  Muscat.  Two  have  arrived,  one  Saunders 
belonging  to  this  Town.     The  event  happened  10  July,  1792. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  21 

May  1.  [1793]  The  Small  Pox  has  broken  out  this  morning 
upon  the  daughter  of  one  Haskell,  in  this  eastern  part  of  the  Town. 
It  is  supposed  that  she  took  it  by  visiting  the  Old  Fort,  where  the 
inoculation  was  last  year. 

2.  This  morning  the  Miss  Haskell,  mother,  &  a  young  Silsbee 
were  conveyed  to  the  Hospital  in  G.  Pasture.  The  Top  of  M''  Gard- 
ner's house  at  the  corner  of  the  CJommon  raised  &  a  canal  dug  down 
the  common  to  convey  the  Avater  from  the  street.  In  the  Ship 
Commerce,  Capt.  Williams  was  S.  in  law  to  Pierce,  Cape  Ann, 

3.  Several  Thiefts  committed.  Two  Irishmen  committed  to 
goal.  For  breaking  open  the  Vessels  of  Chever,  Archer,  &  Russel. 
They  were  apprehended  in  doing  the  last  act.  Last  night  the  house 
of  Joshua  Ward  was  broken  open,  &  the  apartments  entred  belong- 
ing to  IM""  Ward  &  Capt.  Jon*  IngersoU,  from  which  were  taken 
plate,  gold  watch,  &c.  to  considerable  amount.  It  is  not  many 
years  since  the  same  Ward  suffered  in  the  same  manner.  W^ithin  a 
year  past  Billiard  Tables  have  been  indulged  in  the  public  houses, 
&  the  consequences  have  been  serious  to  several  families,  &  young 
persons.  Complaint  has  been  entered  in  form  by  a  most  respectable 
character  in  Town. 

4.  Every  measure  seems  to  be  pursued  in  America  for  peace. 
The  reports  have  been  various,  which  have  agitated  the  public  & 
quite  opposite  reports  in  regard  to  the  progress  of  the  freuch 
arms.  The  passages  in  the  Treaties  with  foreign  Power  at  War  & 
the  proper  certificates  are  to  be  found  in  the  several  Gazettes. 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Chever  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  & 
friends  at  Sea.  Since  I  belonged  to  the  Salem  Association  five  soci- 
eties have  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  orthodox  of  the  lowest  class.  A 
proof  in  what  direction  the  progress  of  society  is.  And  we  camiot 
claim  on  our  part  one  manly  exertion.  Are  we  to  blame  mankind 
for  attending  to  these,  who  seem  most  regardful  of  their  interest. 
There  are  insuperable  obstacles  to  our  exertions,  as  some  of  us  wish 
as  well  to  the  opposite  party,  as  to  our  own,  which  has  a  many  sided 
figure. 

6.  The  Town  May  Meeting  for  Representatives,  &  Money  mat- 
ters. The  Town  Debt  is  reduced  to  three  thousand  pounds,  seven 
hvmdred  povmds  have  been  paid  in  the  last  year,  the  pavement 
costing  seven  hundred  pounds,  the  small  pox  five  hundred  dollars, 
&  other  incidental  charges.  It  is  owing  to  the  indiscrete  zeal  of  a 
Merchant  in  the  Town  that  the  whole  debt  was  not  paid  several 
years  ago. 

8.  We  are  filled  with  reports.  It  is  said  attempts  were  made 
to  enlist  mariners  in  Charlestown  for  the  French  service  which 
was  prevented  by  authority.  A  Newbury  Port  vessel  was  burnt  in 
Philadelphia  lately  by  accident. 

9.  Proposals  appear  for  a  history  of  W^orcester  County  by  M' 
Whitney  of  Northborough.     The  historical  society   have   provoked 


22  DiAKY  OF  [May 

great  enquiries  &  almost  universal  respecting  our  Country.  To 
copy  the  European  news  seems  to  be  only  to  copy  reports  contra- 
dicted at  every  hour,  &  yet  these  reports  discover  the  prejudices,  & 
the  fears  of  the  people. 

10.  Permission  has  been  given  to  Danvers,  upon  application,  to 
carry  their  infected  persons  into  the  Hospital  in  G.  Pasture.  The 
persons  under  inocculation  amount  to  12  belonging  to  Salem  & 
Danvers.  It  has  been  asked,  why  has  the  infection  always  been 
conveyed  to  women.  Have  they  a  greater  susceptibility?  Surely 
there  are  very  many  men  who  are  yet  liable  to  it  ?  The  fact  is 
curious.  A  young  daughter  of  Capt.  IST.  Silsbee  belonging  to  my 
Society,  and  is  now  under  Inoculation. 

11.  Proposed  to  M'  Bonnemaison  to  leave  off  the  study  of 
French.  I  have  for  a  long  time  understood  this  language.  Last 
December  I  engaged  this  young  Gentleman  to  instruct  me  in  three 
points,  in  pronounciation,  writing,  and  conversation  of  the  Lan- 
guage. In  the  first  the  object  has  been  partially  obtained,  as  to  the 
second  it  has  failed  of  any  great  success,  &  the  last  has  entirely 
failed.  The  making  of  conversation  in  an  unknown  language  upon 
mere  compliments  was  to  me  the  most  insipid  business  in  the 
world.  I  could  not  be  steady,  &  it  absorbed  much  time,  so  I  aban- 
doned it. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Gaffeney,  d.  of  her  mother  Lander. 
Jon^  Millet  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  Brethen  at  Sea.  D*"  Belnap*  in 
Town,  &  with  me  this  evening. 

13.  Had  an  opportunity  with  D'"  Belnap  to  visit  the  Mansion 
House  of  the  late  Philip  English,  who  in  1G92  fled  from  this  State 
after  having  been  confined  in  Salem  &  Boston  goals  under  accusation 
of  Witchcraft.  I  have  promised  to  repeat  the  visit  to  Madam  Har- 
thorne  the  G.  daughter,  &  copy  from  her  lips  all  the  circumstances. 
We  visited  the  most  remarkable  places  in  Town. 

14.  Association  Meeting  at  Cutler's,  Ipswich  Hamlet.  Much 
talk  about  Chronology.  M""  Prince  referred  to  the  matter  oi  private 
Baptism,  but  there  was  no  room  for  complaint  as  to  my  private 
steps  in  the  affair.  He  complained  that  it  was  against  all  religious 
institutions,  because  in  fact  a  noncompliance  was  against  his  inter- 
est. The  Lawfulness  could  not  be  in  dispute,  but  the  expediency. 
I  left  the  redoubtables  hammering  by  themselves  the  point. 

16.  M''  Clarke  furnished  me  a  model  of  the  knife  intended  to 
be  used  by  the  assassin  of  the  late  King  of  Sweden,  if  his  pistol 
had  missed.  It  was  bearded,  but  on  the  left  side  at  the  place  of  the 
beard,  serrated,  on  the  right  was  a  small  double  bearded  knife  at 
each  end,  moving  on  a  pivot  obliquely,  so  that  drawn  back  it  should 
return  at  right  angles  with  the  great  knife.  An  horrid  instrument 
of  death,  about  eight  inches  long. 

17.  The  Town  has  opened  the  Road   back   of  the   Tabernacle. 

*Rev.  Jeremy  Belknap,  the  historian. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BEKTLEY,   D.  D.  28 

M''  Briggs  has  raised  his  house  iu  South  fields,  &  the  Town  is  in  a 
flourishing  condition.  Subscription  is  opened  to  erect  on  the 
flats ;  &  Gardner's  point,  at  the  entrance  to  the  Wharves,  two  piers 
for  the  convenience  of  Vessels,  which  cannot  get  up,  that  they 
might  not  lay  upon  the  flats,  &c. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jonathan  Archer,  d.  of  his  youngest 
Child.  Mentioned  the  subject  of  supplying  preachers  for  the  East- 
ward, to  the  Congregation  to  check  the  extravagances  into  which 
they  are  led  in  the  province  of  Maine  by  the  ignorance  &  fanaticism 
of  lay  preachers. 

21.  Hay  up  to  18,  20,  &  28  dollars  from  the  drought.  Appear- 
ances of  rain  but  no  rain.     There  was  rain  at  Boston  last    Sunday. 

Substance  of  Madam  Susannah  Harthorne's  account  of  her  G. 
Father  English,  supplied  with  dates  from  Calef,  &c.  The  Mittimus 
for  Mary,  the  Wife  of  Phillip  English  is  dated,  Salem,  21  Ap. 
1692.  M""  Cory  was  examined  &  committed  24  May,  1692.  John 
Arnold  was  Keeper  of  the  Prison  in  Boston.  Mary  English  was  the 
only  Child  of  William  Hollingworth  who  married  Eleanor  Story,  from 
England.  The  family  lived  at  the  point  of  Rocks,  &  Mary  the  accused, 
was  born  at  the  Blue  Anchor,  at  the  Head  of  English's  wharf  east- 
ward. This  House  afterwards  became  a  public  House,  &  has  been 
taken  down  about  33  years.  The  family  of  Hollingworth  had  a 
House,  &  large  Store  on  the  land  lying  between  the  Common  &  the 
Great  Street,  opposite  to  Turner's  &  Becket's  lane,  now  occupied  by 
small  houses,  formerly  by  negroes.  The  Governour  has  been  enter- 
tained in  an  orchard  which  stood  there.  The  House  has  been  down 
20  years.  The  property  out  of  the  name  is  yet  among  the  descend- 
ants. This  Madam  Hollingworth  was  cried  out  upon,  but  one  of 
the  Court  said  she  had  been  dead  2  years,  dying  in  1690.  When 
M"^  E  nglish  died  he  left  the  following  dwelling  Houses,  &c.  (Only 
two  are  now  standing,  Harthorne's  &  the  Mansion)  : — 

Upon  Point  of  Rocks,  Two  Houses,  Hollingworth.  A  great 
Store  taken  down  after  his  death  iu  the  south  west  corner.  Blue 
Anchor,  Hollingworth.  Deise's,*  House  &  Land  joining  to  the  Blue 
Anchor.  Allen's,  opposite  to  the  Blue  Anchor.  Mansion  house. 
House,  Hollingworth.  Land  opposite  to. Turner  Lane.  Store  very 
large  on  the  same  land.  Gale's,  a  lot  &  house  bounding  on  the 
above.  Two  Houses,  on  the  Corner,  going  to  the  Bridge,  on  the 
left.  House,  opposite  to  the  east  end  of  Daniel's  Lane  eastward. 
House,  where  the  Church  of  England  now  stands,  taken  down 
when  the  land  was  given  to  erect  a  Church  by  M''  English.  House, 
Minzey'sf  where  the  Harthorne's  now  live  about  Hopkin's  meeting. 
He  had  three  Stores  upon  his  Wharf,  now  entirely  decayed. 

M''  English  was  a  Jersey  man,  came  young  into  America  &  lived 
with  M"^  W.  Hollingsworth,  whose  only  child  he   married.      He  ob- 

•Dicey'8? 
tMenzie's. 


24  DIARY  OF  [May 

tained  the  register  of  his  age  several  years  before  his  death  which 
then  made  him  84.  His  God  father  &  G.  mother,  My  Lord,  &  my 
Lady  Dutiful.  MJ  English  being  a  man  of  property  was  visited  by 
the  Ministers  of  the  Town  &  in  his  absence  his  Wife  was  adequate 
to  the  sole  care  of  his  business.  He  owned  above  20  sail  of  Ves- 
sels. His  Wife  had  the  best  education  of  her  times.  Wrote  with 
great  ease  &  has  left  a  specimen  of  her  needlework  in  her  infancy, 
or  Youth,  It  is  about  2  feet  by  9  inches,  like  a  sampler.  It  con- 
cludes with  an  Alphabet  &  her  name,  in  the  usual  form.  The  fig- 
ures are  diversified  with  great  ease  &  '.proportion,  &  there  are  all 
the  stitches  known  to  be  then  in  use,  &  an  endless  variety  of  figures 
in  right  lines,  after  no  example  of  nature.  She  had  already  owned 
her  covenant,  &  was  baptised,  with  her  children  &  now  intended  to 
be  received  at  the  communion  on  the  next  Lord's  day.  On  Satur- 
day night  preceeding  she  was  cried  out  upon.  She  was  42  years  of 
age  when  she  died  in  1694,  two  years  after.  She  had  stood  three 
weeks  for  full  communion.  The  Officers,  High  Sheriff,  &  Deputy 
with  attendants,  came  at  eleven  at  night.  When  the  Servant  came 
up,  M"^  English  imagined  it  was  upon  business,  not  having  had  the 
least  notice  of  the  suspicion  respecting  his  wife.  They  were  to  bed 
together  in  the  Western  chamber  of  their  new  House,  raised  in  1690, 
&  had  a  large  family  of  servants.  The  Officers  came  in  soon  after 
the  servant,  who  so  alarmed  M'  English  that  with  difficulty  he 
found  his  cloathes,  which  he  could  not  put  on  without  help.  The 
officers  came  into  the  chamber,  following  the  servant,  &  opening 
the  curtains,  read  the  Mittimus.  She  was  then  ordered  to  rise, 
but  absolutely  refused.  Her  husband  continued  walking  the  chamber 
all  night,  but  the  Officers  contented  themselves  with  a  guard  upon  the 
House  till  morning.  In  the  morning  they  required  of  her  to  rise,  but 
she  refused  to  rise  before  her  usual  hour.  After  breakfast  with  her  hus- 
band &  children,  &  seeing  all  the  servants  of  whom  there  were  twen- 
ty in  the  House,  she  concluded  to  go  with  the  Officers,  &  she  was 
conducted  to  the  Cat  &  Wheel,  a  public  house  east  of  the  present 
Centre  Meeting  House,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  way.  Six  weeks 
she  was  confined  in  the  front  chamber,  in  which  she  received  the 
visits  of  her  husband  three  times  a  day,  &  as  the  floor  was  single 
she  kept  a  journal  of  the  examinations  held  below,  which  she  con- 
stantly sent  to  Boston.  After  six  weeks  her  Husband  was  accused, 
&  their  friends  obtained  that  they  should  be  sent  on  to  Boston,  till 
their  Trial  should  come  on.  In  Arnold's  Custody  they  had  bail,  & 
liberty  of  the  town,  only  lodging  in  the  Goal.  The  Rev.  Moody 
&  Williard  of  Boston  visited  them,  &  invited  them  to  the  public 
worship  on  the  day  before  they  were  to  return  to  Salem  for  Trial. 
Their  Text  was,  they  that  are  (if  they,  you)  persecuted  in  one  city,  let 
them  flee  to  another.  (Moody  the  Preacher  &  most  active.)  After 
meeting  the  ministers  visited  them  at  the  Goal,  &  asked  them 
whether  they  took  notice  of  the   discourses.     M'   English   replied, 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  25 

he  did  not  know  that  he  had  as  he  ought.  The  Ministers  then  told 
them  their  danger,  &  urged  them  to  escape,  since  so  many  had  suf- 
fered. M""  English  replied,  God  will  not  permit  them  to  touch  me.  M" 
English  said,  Do  you  not  think  the  sufferers  innocent  ?  He  (Moody) 
said,  yes.  She  then  added,  Why  may  we  not  suffer  also  ?  The 
ministers  then  told  him,  if  he  would  not  carry  his  wife  away,  that 
they  would.  The  Gentlemen  of  the  Town  took  care  to  provide  at 
midnight  a  conveyance,  encouraged  by  the  Governour,  Goaler,  &c., 
&  M""  &  M"  English  with  their  eldest  child,  &  Daughter,  were  con- 
veyed away,  &  the  Governour  gave  letters  to  Gov''  Fletcher  of  New 
York,  who  came  out  &  received  them,  accompanied  by  twenty  pri- 
vate gentlemen,  &  carried  them  to  his  House,  &  they  remained  12 
months  in  the  City,  While  here  they  heard  of  the  wants  of  the 
poor  in  Salem,  &  sent  a  Vessel  of  Corn  for  their  relief,  a  bushel  for 
each  poor  child.  Great  advantages  were  proposed  to  detain  them 
at  New  York  but  the  attachment  of  the  Wife  to  Salem  was  not  lost 
by  all  her  sufferings,  &  she  urged  a  return.  They  were  received  with 
joy  upon  their  return,  &  the  Town  had  a  Thanksgiving  on  the  oc- 
casion, &  Noyes,  the  persecutor,  dined  with  him  on  that  day  in  his 
own  house. 

After  M'  English  was  cariied  to  Boston,  they  seized  upon  his 
property,  took  seven  vessels,  a  great  quantity  of  wine  from  his  Cel- 
lar, all  his  furniture,  plate,  &  were  six  weeks  conveying  goods  from 
his  stores.  Only  a  hogshead  of  malt  escaped  them,  which  being 
covered  accidentally  with  shavings,  by  the  Carpenters,  they  were 
deceived  as  to  its  value.  200  Sheep  were  taken  from  him,  which 
were  upon  his  30  rights  in  the  Great  Pasture.  His  four  children, 
one  being  with  him,  were  put  to  board  in  Boston  at  M""*  Holyitt  in 
Boston.  His  daughter  Susannah  remained  there  till  she  was  18, 
boarding  with  Madam  Tuffrey  from  England.  She  was  five  years 
old  when  he  went  to  New  York.  There  is  also  a  Specimen  of  her 
employment  at  School,  nearly  3  feet  by  2,  edged  with  points,  & 
tufts  upon  them,  eight  sprigs  with  balls  of  Gold  within  the  edging, 
flower  pots  &  flowers  at  the  lower  corners  of  gold,  between  a  pot 
with  flowers  of  Cruel.  Two  Birds  between,  of  gold  bodies,  &  one 
in  the  Center  of  the  same.  Above  are  worked  two  false  pocket 
holes,  forming  an  apron.  At  the  Thanksgiving  the  poor  were  as- 
sembled &  M"^  English  said  to  Noyes,  &  you  eat  among  the  rest. 
When  a  person  present  mentioned  the  greatness  of  his  losses,  which 
affected  his  young  daughter,  he  turned  &  said  to  her,  we  have 
enough  for  all  the  poor  who  come,  let  none  go  away  empty.  Noyes 
came  twice  a  week  to  dine  with  him  afterwards.  The  Mansion 
house  now  standing*  &  most  compleatly  finished  for  the  times, 
having  cellars,  stoned  at  bottom,  lathed  &  plastered  over  head 
upon  the  floors  above,  divided  for  all  purposes,  furnished  with  fire 

*8ee  Diary  of  WiUiam  Bentley,  D.  D.,  Vol.  I,  p.  249. 


26  DIARY  OF  [May 

places,  &  ovens,  laid  in  lime,  floors  which  are  good  now  after  one 
hundred  years,  pantries,  counting  house,  shop,  &  various  apartments, 
halls,  was  more  splendid  in  that  day.  Two  gable  ends  in  the  west 
part,  &  another  in  the  east  have  been  taken  down,  a  plank  floor  was 
laid  upon  the  top,  &  an  entire  balustrade  around  it,  extending  to 
the  peeks,  upon  which  were  erected  ornaments  rising  two  feet.  At 
the  southern  door  was  an  open  fence,  with  a  Gate  &  Knocker. 
Over  the  Shop  door  was  a  Balcony  with  seats,  and  a  door  commu- 
nicating with  the  southern  chamber,  &  the  dial  was  over  the  door. 
A  very  large  Barn,  where  the  prison  now  stands.  Philip  English 
gave  the  Land  where  the  English  Church  now  stands  &  pulled 
down  a  double  house  which  was  on  the  spot,  &  dressed  himself  in  a 
new  suit  of  cloathes  at  the  supper.  He  died  about  a  year  after,  said 
to  be  in  1734.  A  Pew  remains  in  the  East  Meeting  House,  belong- 
ing to  his  heirs  from  him,  &  he  was  in  the  Communion,  says  the 
family,  but  no  record  is  found  that  he  was  a  Communicant.  Calef 
says  that  English's  losses  were  estimated  at  1500£  &  that  300 
were  paid  to  him.  The  family  reports,  that  the  body  of  Curwin 
the  Sheriif  was  taken  in  funeral  procession,  &  detained  several  days 
in  a  Cellar  of  the  deceased's  House  for  a  Book  debt  &  that  the  plate, 
linen,  &c.  were  delivered  up.  That  Osgood,  afterwards  Deacon, 
offered  the  payment  of  200£,  it  is  not  said  upon  what  authority, 
but  it  was  refused.  That  Major  Sewall,  father  of  Judge  Stephen 
Sewall,  gave  an  obligation  for  it  to  be  the  heirs,  &  that  about  45 
years  ago,  one  Northey  recovered  it,  he  receiving  half  for  his 
trouble  of  the  Judge,  &  no  interest  paid. 

22.  This  day  the  long  wished  for  blessing  came  of  a  fine  shower 
of  rain.  It  seemed  to  pass  northward  of  us,  &  we  began  to  fear  our 
loss,  but  it  curled  round  as  it  approached  the  water,  &  with  inces- 
sant thunder,  refreshed  us.  A  tree  was  torn  by  the  lightning  in 
northfields,  but  nothing  could  abate  the  general  joy  upon  our  relief 
from  an  unusual  drought.  We  almost  dared  to  say  that  we  saw  the 
vegetation  sprought.  Several  barns  at  Lynn,  &c.  were  injured  or 
torn  down  by  the  gust. 

23.  M""  Prince  was  with  me  to  confess  the  alienation  for  six 
months  past  was  upon  false  grounds,  &  that  he  had  authenticated 
none  of  the  reports,  which  have  all  been  satisfactorily  proved  false. 
This  is  the  third  time  a  similar  process  has  been  used  by  the  same 
man,  without  success.     He  proposed  to  renew  the  intercourse. 

24.  A  Vessel  from  Oporto  has  made  a  great  freight  upon  Lemons 
from  eight  pistareens  cost  &  charges,  from  16  to  20  dollars  from  the 
entire  scarcity.  It  seems  impossible  that  the  public  mind  should  be 
less  agitated  than  at  present.  Reports  fly  unheeded,  &  business  as 
yet  keeps  its  old  channels. 

25.  The  mafket  of  provisions  is  high  in  Boston,  &  much  higher 
than  in  Salem.  Beef  for  the  Table,  prime  pieces,  have  been  1^  p""  lb. 
never  in  Salem  above  6'^. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  27 

26.  Sunday.  Expecting  rain  but  no  rain  coraes.  M""  M'^Keene 
preached  with  us.  An  inconvenience  easily  to  be  avoided,  the 
preaching  of  the  same  sermon  on  both  parts  of  the  day  in  different 
houses.     Many  heard  the  sermon  on  both  parts  of  the  day. 

27.  Various  reports  continue  respecting  the  war  in  Holland,  & 
the  fate  of  the  West  India  Islands.  There  seems  to  be  a  dread  of 
war  in  America,  &  little  of  that  enterprising,  growing  spirit  which 
such  opportunities  commonly  quicken.  Indeed  the  people  in  gen- 
eral are  without  opinions,  &  are  waiting  for  the  event  of  the  war  to 
determine  them. 

28.  Went  for  Boston  to  spend  the  Election  days.  Heard  D*" 
Walter  at  the  Trinity  Church  before  the  Episcopal  Convention. 
Four  Clergymen  of  that  Church  appeared,  &  all  except  D'"  Bass  of 
Newbury  belonged  to  Boston.  The  Assembly  was  very  thin,  &  the 
Contribution  could  have  little  support  from  the  few  present.  The 
Doctor  included  the  ministerial  qualifications  under  knowledge, 
holiness,  &  zeal.  Under  the  first  he  included  Casuistry,  &  talked 
much  in  the  methodistic  style.  He  delivered  well,  &  was  very  solemn 
in  his  address. 

29.  Being  the  day  of  Election  we  attended  at  noon  at  the  Court 
House,  from  the  indisposition  of  the  Governor,  neither  he  nor  the 
Lieutenant  Governor  attended,  nor  was  there  the  least  military 
parade  in  the  procession.  A  Company  paraded  on  the  day  but  in 
no  connection  with  the  orders  of  the  day.  This  is  the  first  time  on 
which  -an  Episcopal  Clergyman  has  appeared.  D^  Stillman  the 
Anabaptist  did  appear  some  years  since.  The  Doctor  Parker  had 
his  prayer  written  before  him,  &  it  was  very  acceptable.  No  provis- 
ion was  made  for  the  music,  which  was  performed  below  by  the 
Clergy  after  some  delay.  The  Sermon  was  unequal  in  its  parts, 
lengthened  by  quotations,  but  abounding  in  salutary  advice  respect- 
ing the  importance  of  righteousness  to  a  people,  &  was  very  accept- 
able. 

30.  In  the  morning  I  visited  the  Twine  factory  at  the  North 
end.  I  found  the  scaffoldings  from  the  buildings  very  convenient, 
&  the  plan  enlarged  for  other  spinning,  so  far  as  the  length  would 
admit.  The  convenience  of  the  apartments,  &  neatness  pleased  me 
much.  I  saw  for  the  first  time  the  spinners  turn  their  own  wheels, 
by  fastening  to  their  side  a  hook  joined  to  a  rope  passing  over  their 
heads  over  a  pulley,  to  another  pulley  below  the  axis  of  the  wheel 
&  thence  obliquely  to  the  pulley  on  the  axis  of  the  wheel,  &  leading 
round  a  pulley  at  the  other  end  of  the  spinning  loft.  At  the  Con- 
vention we  were  entertained  by  the  benevolent  M''  Bernard  of  this 
Town.  If  his  Text  &  his  exordium  were  not  so  striking,  the  famil- 
iar arrangement  of  the  pleasures  &  the  duties  of  this  friendly  meet- 
ing, were  most  affectingly  represented.  At  the  Dinner  at  D""  La- 
throp's  we  had  the  free  wilier,  M""  West,  &  the  Necessarian,  M""  Niles, 
&  a  great  variety  of  characters.     After  Dinner  I  went  in  the   Cam- 


28  DIARY  OP  [June 

bridge  Stage  to  Cambridge.  I  found  the  bridge  one  third  of  the 
distance  finished.  I  tarried  with  M'  Winthrop  &  amused  myself 
with  his  rich  &  very  engaging  conversation  on  all  interesting 
subjects. 

31.  In  the  morning  I  stopped  at  M"^  Barrell  on  Cable  hill,  so 
called  when  a  fort  was  erected  there.  The  plan  of  the  Building  is 
to  me  new,  &  not  entirely  executed.  The  Saloon  is  oval  fronting 
the  Town.  The  Cellars  are  in  the  best  order.  The  flights  of  stairs 
in  a  vast  entry  opening  towards  the  country  &  meet  upon  the  first 
floor.  There  is  an  oval  opening  above  which  preserves  the  communi- 
cation above,  with  a  neat  balustrade  &  the  stairs  are  back.  Every 
thing  discovered  expence,  but  taste,  &  elegance.  The  prospect  is 
the  best  I  ever  beheld.  Before  dinner  I  was  in  company  with  John 
Gardner,  so  well  known  for  his  character  with  Thayer,  in  the 
General  Court,  in  Unitarianism,  &  in  all  he  does.  Returned  in 
the  Stage  to  Salem. 

June  2.  [1793]  Sunday.  Notes.  S.  Eowell,  wife's  delivery.  A 
gentle  rain  all  day,  which  gave  a  new  face  to  the  earth.  Thin 
Congreg.  The  long,  dull  weather  has  had  its  usual  effects  we  are 
told.  An  unhappy  but  agreable  man,  leaped  from  his  house  in 
Boston  &  finished  life.  I  knew  him  well.  Such  events  are  more 
frequent  in  Boston  in  proportion  to  the  numbers.  Would  not  a 
calculation  of  the  ratio  of  social  advantages,  business,  &c.  deserve 
to  be  taken  into  consideration  as  well  as  weather  on  animal  spirits. 
Thought  of  recording  subjects  of  devotion  for  every  day,  in  full,  or 
in  hints,  as  might  be  convenient,  as  well  as  review  the  state  of  the 
members  on  every  Communion  solemnity. 

3.  Ordered  the  Chair  received  from  the  family  of  English  in 
memory  of  1692  to  be  painted  green,  &  on  the  back  1692,  upper 
slat ;  middle  slat,  M.  English ;  lower  slat,  ^7;.  22,  the  time  of  her 
mittimus  ;  on  the  front  upper  slat.  It  shall  he  told  of  her* 

4.  This  City  has  addressed  Gen.  W.  iipon  his  late  proclamation. 
6.     It  has  been  dull  weather,  &  several  private  Quarrels  alive. 

8.  Had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  four  of  our  Vessels  return  while 
I  was  at  the  fort.  The  flourishing  Town  of  Lynn  has  had  a  mo- 
mentary check  in  the  immense  sales  of  shoes,  from  the  slight  in  the 
manufacture.  Applications  are  now  depending  for  bounties  on  the 
Glass  House,  Duck  Manufactories,  &c.  The  public  opinion  is  much 
divided  about  the  real  utility  of  such  encouragements. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  N.  Richardson  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  mother 
Putnam.  W.  King,  her  delivery,  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Nancy 
Masury,  her  delivery,  &  Husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 

10.  So  warm  as  not  to  go  without  doors  through  the  whole  day, 
purely  upon  that  account. 

12.     The  Ship  G.  Turk  returned  this  day  from  her  voyage  to 

*ThiB  cbair  was  afterwards  iu  the  possession  of  Bonjainin  Crowninsbield. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  29 

China,  &  brings  the  effects  of  Gibaut's  voyage,  leaving  him  behind, 
on  account  of  his  health, 

13.  We  were  relieved  this  afternoon  by  a  brisk  wind  from  the 
most  severe  heat  that  I  ever  experienced  for  such  a  length  of  time. 
I  have  scarcely  been  able  through  the  week  to  open  a  book,  to 
wear  cloathes,  or  go  abroad  for  necessary  exercise. 

15.  Saw  at  S.  Ingersoll's  a  worked  apron,  petticoat,  &  ring, 
belonging  to  Susannah,  D.  of  Philip  English  of  1692.  Fish  Street 
Wharf  was  upon  the  Winter  Island,  just  within  the  Cat  Cove.  The 
remains  have  been  unmoved  since  my  day. 

16.  Sunday.  Notes.  Elizabeth  Williams,  dang,  sick,  &  hus- 
band at  Sea.  Hannah  Macgregory,*  dang,  sick  &  husband  at  Sea. 
Samuel  Archer  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  &  friends  absent. 

18.  A  Copy  has  appeared  of  the  Salem  Address  to  General  Wash- 
ington. It  is  not  penned  with  that  accuracy  which  could  have  been 
wished.  The  clause  of  the  opinion  about  others  is  not  very  perti- 
nent. 

21.  I  find  the  necessity  of  extreme  caution  every  day,  where 
there  are  so  many  busy  bodies,  engaged  in  promoting  the  enmities 
of  life.  Market  going  on  in  this  Town.  A  certificate  given  of  a 
marriage  between  Miles  Greenwood  &  Elizabeth  Elkins,  to  obtain  a 
divorce. 

22.  Talk  of  fortifying  Harbours,  &c.  A  Launching  in  South- 
fields  of  a  Vessel  of  100  Tons  in  the  evening,  from  Brigg's  Shipyard. 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  Margaret  Young,  d.  of  her  Son  &  friends 
at  Sea.      Priscilla  Lambert,  delivery,  husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 

27.  Rode  with  D*"  Loganf  &  was  politely  received  at  Col.  Orne's, 
&  dined  at  Rev"^  Story's. $  In  the  afternoon  we  rode  to  the  Farms, 
&  returned  to  Salem  about  Sundown.  Col.  Orne's  House,  below  the 
Old  Meeting  House  stands  upon  the  spot,  where  the  first  minister 
Chever  lived.  There  was  no  fish  in  at  this  time,  but  the  truth  of 
the  number  of  children  in  the  place  seemed  amply  verified.  A 
Launching  at  Ashbey's  of  a  Schooner  near  Gray's  Wharf. 

29.  Great  apprehensions  in  regard  to  the  detention  of  our  vessels 
to  search  for  French  Property. 

30.  Sunday.  One  of  the  hottest  Sundays  I  have  ever  ex- 
perienced.    Notes.     Joseph  Joy  &  Wife,  for  her  Sister  sick. 

July  1.  [1793]  The  house  at  the  corner  of  Ives'  lane  on  the 
Common  was  built  by  the  father  of  Deacon  Prince,  inherited  by  the 
Son,  the  son  in  Law  Mascoll  &  the  G.  G.  son  Knights,  &  now  by 
bis  Widow  &  children. § 

2.  Was  our  public  visitation  of  the  Schools,  the  Committee  by 
subdivisions  visiting  monthly.  At  this  annual  visitation  the  Select- 
men &  Clergy  are  invited.     We  met  at  nine  in  the  morning  at  the 

♦Wife  of  Capt.  John  McGregor. 

tDr.  George  Logan  of  Charleston,  S.  C. 

jIn  Marblehead. 

§See  Essex  Institute  Historical  Collections,  Vol.  XIV,  p.  251. 


30  DiAEY  OF  [June 

Court  House,  &  proceeded  to  the  Grammar  School.  This  has  been 
successively  since  the  war  in  the  hands  of  M""  Steward,  M""  Noyes, 
&  M"^  Bancroft.  The  first  was  a  Clergyman,  of  great  oriental  learn- 
ing, but  perhaps  of  the  least  popular  talents,  the  least  taste,  &  gov- 
ernment, &  tho  he  tarried  several  years,  it  was  at  the  expence  of  the 
School,  which  did  not  receive  a  dozen  pupils.  He  was  at  length 
dismissed,  &  went  to  Cape  Ann,  Squam,  as  a  Minister,  &c.,  &  thence 
to  Holliston,  &  Vermont.  He  was  a  married  man.  M""  Noyes  suc- 
ceeded him,  &  was  perhaps  the  best  man  ever  employed  in  the 
Grammar  School.  He  belonged  to  Boston,  &  was  of  the  same  class 
with  President  Willard  at  Cambridge.  After  his  degrees  he  went 
into  the  southern  states  as  a  School  Master  in  private  families,  & 
afterward  to  the  Bahamas,  Providence.  Upon  his  return  to  New 
England,  he  came  to  Salem,  &  took  the  Grammar  School.  He  was 
respected  &  received  in  the  best  families,  &  published  a  Collection 
of  the  rules  of  the  Latin  Language,  which  he  was  permitted  to  in- 
troduce into  the  School,  &  which  is  now  in  use.  It  has  in  its  recom- 
mendation that  it  flattered  the  humour  of  the  day,  to  have  this  lan- 
guage taught  by  English  rules  rather  than  Latin.  M'  Noyes  pos- 
sessed a  sober,  &  decent  mind,  rather  inclined  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Glassites,  or  Sandemians,  as  they  were  called  in  this  Country,  & 
had  great  respect  for  the  father  &  son  as  writers.  He  bad  no  fugi- 
tive thoughts,  little  relish  for  wit,  &  no  ease  in  being  pleased  to  con- 
form to  the  entertaining  part  of  conversation.  Being  a  single  man 
he  had  the  stiffness  &  reserve  of  the  character,  &  all  the  airs  of  the 
Pedagogue.  From  large  proposals  from  his  friends  in  the  Southern 
States,  &  a  discontent  with  the  then  scanty  salary  from  the  state  of 
the  Town  affairs,  he  suddenly  renounced  his  connections,  which  he 
regretted  soon  after,  &  wished  to  renew,  but  death  soon  overtook 
him  at  Savannah.  His  successor*  was  a  Graduate  immediately 
from  College,  &  who  had  no  other  object  than  to  qualify  him  for 
another  profession  &  chose  that  of  Law.  His  education  never 
formed  him  even  for  a  momentary  relish  of  classic  erudition,  &  the 
School  sunk  to  a  very  small  number  of  pupils,  seldom  twelve.  Some 
attempts  were  made  to  assist  it,  by  uniting  instructions  in  the  eng- 
lish  Language  &  so  sending  the  best  Boys  from  the  other  Schools, 
but  the  experiment  failed  in  the  first  attempt,  &  was  silently 
abandoned.  In  the  present  year  the  School  was  intrusted  to  M""  N. 
Rogers.  This  is  a  descendant  from  the  well  known  John  Rogers, 
Martyr  of  Q.  Mary's  reign,  &  whose  ancestors  have  been  in  the 
ministry,  G.  Father  &  Father  at  Ipswich.  He  was  educated  at 
Cambridge  &  going  into  Trade,  was  unsuccessful,  &  in  very  em- 
barassed  circumstances.  His  friends  invited  him  several  years  since 
into  this  Town  to  accept  a  private  School,  &  he  was  received  with 
great  attention.     He  is  a  man  of  great  ambition,  warm  passions  & 

^'Thomas  Bernard  (1765-1807),  afterwards  Clerk  of  the  Courto. 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLBT,   D.   D.  31 

application.  He  married  a  Wife*  at  Ipswich  contrary  to  the  wishes 
of  her  Friends,  by  whom  she  was  rejected,  &.  from  her  accomplish- 
ments he  has  had  great  assistance  in  his  designs.  She  possesses  the 
best  education  of  our  New  England  families,  Avith  a  steady  &  firm 
temper,  &  has  had  the  greatest  applause  in  the  education  of  our 
daughters,  of  which  she  has  instructed  sixty  at  one  time.  In  teach- 
ing the  reading  &  writing  of  english  M*"  Rogers  had  such  a  share  of 
esteem,  as  to  obtain  from  every  other  candidate  without  even  a 
division,  the  appointment  to  our  Grammar  School.  By  the  lioys 
which  he  has  brought  with  him,  &  by  adopting  the  plan  of  teaching 
all  the  branches  of  his  former  school  gratis,  even  to  writing,  we 
found  forty  two  youth  upon  the  seats,  a  number  more  than  double 
to  any  number  I  had  ever  before  seen,  excepting  24  once  under  the 
care  of  M'  Noyes.  As  the  school  was  young,  nothing  could  be  con- 
cluded. The  method  was  different  from  the  usual  one  in  our 
schools  in  Boston.  One  of  the  Committee  corrected  the  Boys  in 
the  exhibitions  at  his  pleasure,  the  Master  distributed  Books  to  the 
Visitants,  &  begun  at  the  top  of  his  Schools.  The  Books  in  order 
were  Virgil,  Ctesar,  Eiitropius,  Erasmus,  Clarke's  Esop,  Corderius. 
The  pronunciation  was  bad,  the  voices  low,  &  the  method  confused. 
Greek  was  omitted,  &  some  writing  Books  viewed  at  the  Desk. 

"We  then  went  below  into  the  Writing  Center  School,  under  the 
care  of  ^M""  Gray,  &  formerly  under  M*"  Norris,  a  descendant  of  the 
Minister  Norris  of  Salem.  There  were  about  one  hundred  Boys, 
badly  cloathed.  The  reading  was  indifferent.  The  best  writers 
were,  Samuel  Rhea,  Enos  Briggs,  John  Norris,  &  W™  Preston  & 
Fogerty,  neither  eminent.  There  was  a  Negro  named  TITUS 
AUGUSTUS,  who  read,  &  shew  writings  equal  to  any  of  them,  & 
there  was  another  African  as  stupid  as  the  worst  of  them.  We 
then  passed  to  the  East  School,  which  has  been  under  M""  Lang  ever 
since  it  was  opened.  It  was  formerly  the  fullest  school,  &  has  had 
several  assistants,  M'  Snelling,  now  assistant  at  Boston,  M""  Moses, 
since  dead,  &  M""  Southwick,  a  friend,  who  keeps  a  private  school 
directly  opposite,  &  who  left  upon  some  disgust.  M*'  Watson's  Private 
School  in  the  street,  M*"  Southwick's  on  the  Common  &  M"^  Rogers' 
have  drawn  many  youth  from  this  School.  M""  Lang,  the  Master,  is 
a  most  worthy  man.  He  was  a  Silversmith  by  profession,  but  re- 
duced in  his  circumstances,  he  accepted  this  School,  in  which  he 
does  not  succeed  to  the  public  wishes.  His  children  are  small, 
poorly  provided  with  Books,  not  in  the  best  subordination,  &  excell 
in  nothing.  My  Charity  Boy,  Joseph  Franks,  set.  10,  is  at  the  head 
of  the  school,  &  was  the  best  reader  &  writer  in  it.  No  other 
children  were  noticed.  We  then  passed  to  the  West  School,  which 
obtained  universal  preference,  especially  in  the  writing  exhibited. 
George  Cleveland  &  Joseph  Pierce  were  the  Competitors  for  the 

•Abigail  Dodge. 


32  DIARY  OF  [June 

highest  fame  in  this  school  &  in  the  Town.  They  have  great  claims. 
The  plain  round  hand  of  Cleveland  has  the  greatest  charms  in  my 
eyes.  Pierce's  hand  is  the  most  elegant.  A  Watkins  entered  the 
list  of  fame.  The  Master  Hacker,  a  Quaker,  is  an  honest,  open 
hearted  friend  &  has  a  fine  talent  at  teaching  the  use  of  the  pen. 
To  pronounce  a  Quaker  a  reader  might  be  absurd  at  this  day.  He 
had  above  100  boys,  in  good  order,  &  numerous  writers  of  a  second 
class  equal  to  any  others  of  the  first  classes  in  the  other  schools. 
We  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  at  this  school  the  Misses  after  the 
Boys  were  dismissed,  which  exceeded  80  in  number,  &  for  neatness 
&  good  behaviour  were  deserving  of  applause.  They  read  before 
the  Committee  &  shewed  specimens  of  their  writing.  In  this  School 
the  economy  of  human  life  was  read  by  the  first  Boys  &  in  the  east 
School,  the  Children's  friend.  Whatever  the  merit  of  the  first  Book 
might  be,  I  objected  to  the  style  as  not  adapted  to  teach  the  English 
Language  most  happily.  Greater  freedom  is  used  by  the  Monthly 
Committees,  &  we  may  hope  many  improvements  to  be  found  among 
our  neighbours,  which  have  not  yet  obtained  among  us. 

3.  The  conduct  of  the  English  to  our  American  Vessels  is  a  sub- 
ject of  debate  in  conversation  &  in  the  Gazettes.  The  old  English 
prejudices  exist  in  all  their  vigour  in  some  minds,  &  the  late  war 
with  others.  A  curious  publication  assures  us  of  the  delivery  of  a 
poem  on  the  fourth  of  July,  voluntarily  to  display  genius,  &,  beg 
bread. 

4.  The  celebration  of  this  day  was  agreed  upon  in  our  Lodges  by 
the  subscription  of  the  members  to  go  upon  the  water,  &  visit  the 
Islands.  About  16  could  attend,  »&  in  a  proper  sloop  we  went  down. 
Great  harmony,  &  good  spirits  were  in  the  company.  The  wind  was 
light  going,  but  pleasant  upon  our  return.  The  fishing  without  great 
success. 

5.  Capt  Crowninshield  amused  me  for  a  very  hot  day  with  the 
water  soaken  remams  of  a  good  Traveller's  library,  given  to  him  by 
the  Owner.  There  was  a  little  of  every  good  work.  Capt  C.  has 
brought  home  more  of  the  Immortal.  The  first  specimen  on  a 
former  voyage  remains  fastened  in  my  chamber,  &  in  as  great  ap- 
parent perfection  as  when  first  put  up.  This  is  accounted  for  from 
the  dryness  of  the  calix. 

6.  Severe  Lashing  of  the  Am.  Geography  by  M''  Morse  from 
various  hands  in  the  Centinel  for  omission  of  Great  Names  in  this 
State,  &  the  free  insertion  of  less  distinguished  names  in  Connecti- 
cut. 

7.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Swazey,  d.  of  G.  Daughter  Williams, 
&  Son  at  Sea.  Sam'  Swasey,  &  family,  d.  of  his  daughter  Williams 
&  Son  at  Sea.  Ann  Brown,  d.  of  her  Br.  Brown  &  Son  at  Sea. 
Hannah  Webb,  delivery,  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  This  was 
one  of  those  agreable  days,  on  which  I  enjoyed  myself  in  the 
services  of  the  Pulpit. 


1793]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  33 

8.  M*"  Derby  presented  one  of  the  Great  Turtles  to  the  Marine 
Society,  who  made  a  Subscription  feast  at  2  dollars,  money  paid  at 
subscription  &  on  receiving  the  Ticket,  &  an  invitation  to  the 
Clergy  gratis.  This  regulation  was  made  in  consequence  of  a  de- 
fection of  some  of  the  guests  at  the  time  of  payment  on  the  last 
public  occasion.  The  turtle  shell  in  which  the  pie  was  served 
measured  3  feet  by  3  feet,  7  inches.  About  one  hundred  guests 
were  served  in  Washington  Hall.  At  the  giving  of  the  Toasts  I 
was  obliged  to  retire  to  the  Catechising  of  the  female  children,  & 
by  some  mistake  of  the  notice  their  number  did  not  exceed  eighty. 

9.  The  conduct  of  the  rain  has  been  as  singular  as  the  drought 
remarkable.  On  Saturday  I  observed  the  Clouds  from  Marblehead 
Farms  in  the  middle  of  a  very  extended  plain.  The  Horizon  was 
clear  from  east  to  south  over  the  ocean  in  my  view.  The  clouds 
moved  with  a  rapid  circular  motion  at  the  altitude  of  20°,  with  un- 
common blackness,  while  in  the  zenith,  the  bright  tops  left  an  open- 
ing much  like  our  room  ventilators.  Here  &  there  the  rain  seemed 
to  fall,  &  then  it  was  soon  bright  again  in  the  horizon.  Once  in 
the  north  it  seemed  to  sweep  toward  the  sea.  I  was  an  hour  in  this 
condition  seemingly  in  the  Center  of  this  Whirlwind,  in  dead  calm, 
while  the  clouds  seemed  slowly  to  contract  equally  on  all  sides,  & 
as  tho'  exhausted  dropped  gently  a  little  rain  which  obliged  me  to 
retire  to  the  House.  Upon  my  return  on  the  Hill  beyond  Gard- 
ner's mills  about  1/2  a  mile,  the  rain  had  descended  with  violence, 
after  crossing  Forrest  river,  I  found  the  dust  scarcely  laid,  &  so  on 
to  Salem.  At  Beverley  we  are  told  the  rain  was  plentiful  but  at 
Ipswich  where  I  beheld  the  sweep  towards  the  sea,  there  descended 
in  a  short  time,  &  about  three  miles  in  extent  having  the  Town  as 
the  Center,  a  Tempest  of  rain  &  hail,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
discription.  It  was  preceeded  by  a  flood  of  rain,  &  the  hailstones, 
measuring  some  of  them  6  inches  in  greatest  circumference,  dis- 
stroying  grain,  flax,  trees,  &  breaking  several  thousand  panes  of 
glass.  At  Middleton  just  before,  a  large  tree  was  struck  of  3  feet 
i  n  diameter,  split  into  numerous  parts,  clif ts  thrown  at  a  distance, 
over  other  trees  20  feet  high,  &  limbs  strewed  in  the  greatest  con- 
fusion around.  Carried  before  an  Officer  of  the  peace,  an  Apothe- 
cary of  the  Town,  for  purchasing  at  low  prices,  goods  &  effects  of 
children,  servants  &  minors.  By  the  Search  warrants  property  of 
various  kinds  was  found  to  substantiate  the  charge,  &  he  was  com- 
mitted. There  are  strong  presumptions  that  he  had  been  receiver 
for  several  Housebreakers,  and  a  young  idler,  formerly  shop  keeper 
suffers  much  in  the  public  opinion,  having  sold  his  wife's  plate  at 
the  apothecary's. 

11.  The  affair  of  Glover  versus  Basset  for  a  cable  stolen  enga- 
ges the  multitude,  as  there  is  much  passion  in  the  affair,  &  a  great 
part  of  Marblehead  over.  Court  house  full.  Templeman  is  making 
great  repairs  at  the  head  of  the  Kiver  upon  the  estate  of  Bacon, 


34  DiAEY  OF  [July 

especially  on  the  House  facing  the  road  as  you  pass  to  Marblehead. 

12.  An  attempt  to  move  a  Negro  hut  upon  Land  opposite  to 
Hawthorne's  land  in  the  Great  Street  between  Becket's  &  Turner's 
Lane,  by  a  man  who  professes  to  be  a  friend  to  the  Parish,  on  di- 
vision of  the  Town,  but  has  not  more  than  his  share  of  feelings. 
Such  Buildings  proving  invariably  an  injury  to  the  neighbourhood, 
depreciating  property,  dispersing  all  the  good  Tenants,  &  subject- 
ing the  persons  near  to  every  interruption. 

13.  We  have  the  horrible  news  of  the  entire  distruction  of  Cape 
Francois  in  the  Island  of  Hispaniola.  After  the  arrival  we  are 
told  of  thefrench  Ministers  (the  mulattoes  were  admitted  into  the 
Town,  who  arming  the  Negroes,  made  a  general  massacre  of  the  in- 
habitants, plundered,  &  then  set  fire  to  the  Town).  In  the  mas- 
sacre we  are  informed  eight  thousand  may  have  perished.  We  hope 
the  next  accounts  will  be  more  particular,  &  less  shocking.  This 
is  pronounced  to  be  among  the  first  commercial  Towns  in  all  Amer- 
ica. We  are  public  spirited  in  Salem  at  least  in  our  projections. 
The  Market  House  is  preparing  with  great  expectations.  The  piers 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Channel  are  supported  by  a  subscription,  & 
should  it  be  incompetent,  individuals  propose  to  execute  the  plan. 
The  Turnpikes,  levelling,  &  railings  of  the  Common  are  liberally  sup- 
ported &  for  the  beauty  &  convenience  of  the  Town,  it  is  hoped,  will 
succeed.  The  whole  expences ,  it  is  supposed  may  be,  two  thou- 
sand pounds.  An  apprentice  having  frequently  run  away  from  his 
master  was  at  last  apprehended,  &  tied,  &  confined.  Several  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Overseers  interested  variously,  interfered,  & 
at  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  tho'  contrary  to  the  Judgment  of 
the  Court,  the  Jury  fined  the  Master  ten  pounds  for  abuse.  The 
Servant  was  indentured  by  the  Town,  &  related  to  the  friends  of 
the  Overseers.  There  is  an  appeal  from  the  Master.  This  prece- 
dent has  been  effected  by  the  most  unmanly  prejudices,  &  shews 
the  great  misfortune  of  a  Town  in  electing  into  trusts  men  of 
narrow  minds.  Gen.  Abbot  &  Col.  Pickman  of  the  board  of  Over- 
seers remonstrated  against  the  measures.  I  am  personally  acquaint- 
ed with  the  management  of  the  Master.  He  has  an  action  against 
the  Town  for  the  confinement  of  his  servant  in  the  Charity  House 
after  a  public  advertisement. 

14.  Notes.  Barnabas  Herrick,  d.  of  his  mother.  Benj* 
Brown,  &  Wife,  her  delivery.  Brother  at  Sea.  D''  Logan  very  low, 
&  I  am  to  set  with  him  this  night. 

15.  Viewed  a  Catamount,  exhibited  here  at  4  1/2*^  discribed  to 
be  eight  feet  long,  &  two  &  1/2  high  from  nose  to  tail.  He  is  cas- 
trated, was  taken  helpless  from  its  dam,  &  is  about  eighteen  months 
old.  He  has  lost  much  of  his  savage  temper  by  his  situation.  Is 
of  a  mouse  colour,  very  indolent.  His  Head  is  of  the  Cat  kind,  his 
body  long  flat,  &  his  paws  large,  &  feet  of  good  length.  I  could 
make  no  enquiries  in  a  Crowd,  which  was  around  him. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  85 

16.  D'  Logan  died  this  morning  at  ten  o'clock.  He  was  calm  in 
the  Whole  scene,  &  attended  his  devotions  with  resignation,  &  gave 
all  the  most  particular  directions  respecting  his  affairs  &  intwment. 
From  the  Gazette  we  learn  the  arrival  of  50  passengers,  chiefly  me- 
chanicks  from  Liverpool  in  England,  Avho  report  the  distressed 
state  of  that  Kingdom. 

17.  Being  Commencement  at  Cambridge,  I  could  not  attend  on 
account  of  the  Funeral  of  D"^  Logan.*  He  was  laid  out  in  his  un- 
dereloathes  &  Gown  as  he  usually  dressed,  without  shoes.  On  his 
Breastplate,  George  Logan,  jNL  D.,  Edinb.  obiit.  Julii  16,  1793, 
jEtatis  45.  He  was  buried  in  Masonic  Order,  having  been  the  sen- 
ior Warden  of  Union  Lodge,  Charlestown.  The  brethren  preceed- 
ed  the  Corpse,  &  moved  towards  the  Meeting  House  at  4  o'clock 
P.  M.  The  Pall  was  supported  by  C^  Holyoke  &  Paine,  William 
Gray,  Gen.  Fiske,  Col.  Pickman,  &  Capt.  Jon*  IngersoU.  Prayers- 
were  performed  in  the  Meeting  House  before  a  crowded  &  very  re- 
spectable audience,  &  after  the  Music  a  Sermon  was  delivered.. 
The  Procession  to  the  Grave  was  very  respectable,  &  uncommonly 
long,  amidst  a  crowd  of  Spectators.  The  funeral  service  of  the- 
Masons  was  performed  at  the  Tomb,  &  the  body  deposited  in  the 
Mason  family  Tomb.  The  greatest  respect,  &  sympathy  were 
shown  on  the  occasion. 

18.  Was  brought  to  the  Long  Wharf  by  M'^  Pierce  of  New  Mills, . 
a  Sturgeon  which  he  says  leaped  into  his  Boat,  just  without  Bever- 
ly Bar.     It  was  six  feet,  8  inches  long,  &  girded  over   the   pectoral 
fins  two  feet  10  1/2  inches,  weighing  97[lbs.]. 

19.  The  conduct  of  D'  Parker  in  preaching  at  the  public  elec-^ 
tion  a  translation  from  Saubin  made  by  another  hand,  &  afterwards 
printing  the  sermon,  has  given  great  offence,  &  has  been  revived  as 
a  subject  of  conversation  at  the  late  Commencement.  This  has 
been  without  example,  except  in  our  late  professor  of  Divinity  up- 
on the  death  of  Judge  Winthrop,  when  the  Sermon  was  extracted 
from  Leland's  Nature  &  necessity  of  the  Ch  :  Revelation. 

20.  At  the  Commencement  37  Batchelors  received  their  degrees, 
&  the  people  passed  from  Boston  over  the  new  Bridge,  to  the  no 
small  disappointment  of  the  persons  who  bring  carriages  on  the  oc- 
casion. Went  this  evening  with  the  four  principal  Singers  of  my 
seat  to  drink  Tea  at  Perkins'  on  the  neck.  Their  deportment  was 
modest,  &  I  was  better  pleased  than  I  expected.  Every  thing  must 
be  done  to  preserve  the  Singing. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  S.  Silsbee  &  Wife,  d.  of  daughter  M*^ 
Gregory,  &  for  sons  at  Sea.  S.  Silsbee,  jun'  &  Wife,  d.  of  Sister  & 
Brethren  at  sea.  Deborah  Sage,  d.  of  Sister,  husband  &  Brother  at 
Sea,  &  d.  of  his  father. 

23.     Corpus  w*  202,  which  shews  a  continual  increase.     D'  Hol-- 

*He  married  a  sister  of  the  wife  of  Capt.  Edward  Allen,  and  died  at  his  hoase .. 


36  DIARY   OF  [July 

yoke  has  an  advertisement  in  the  Gazette  of  the  day  to  apprehend, 
at  10  dollars  reward,  the  villain,  who  last  Sunday  night,  threw  an 
iron  bolt  into  his  window,  &  among  his  family,  weighing  1  1-2 
lb.  It  might  have  been  expected  from  the  indecent  behaviour  of 
some  of  the  young  bucks  on  the  Neck,  &  as  they  passed  the  houses 
of  worship  in  time  of  service,  I  wrote  to  the  Printer  on  the  sub- 
ject, but  my  paper  was  not  published. 

24.  We  lind  from  the  Gazette  that  some  alarming  appearances 
respecting  privateers,  had  called  forth  the  vigilance  of  the  Town  of 
Boston,  who  with  remarkable  vigilance  &  unanimity  are  employed 
agreably  to  the  resolves  of  the  Town,  to  prevent  any  sea  piracy 
under  any  pretences  whatever.  Some  reflections  are  cast  upon  the 
ofiicious  zeal  of  the  French  minister  Genet  at  Philadelphia.  The 
Universalists  of  Boston  have  proposed  a  Convention  next  Septem- 
ber, for  the  first  time  in  this  state,  at  Oxford,  in  Worcester  County. 
It  is  supposed  to  find  out  their  strength,  as  no  societies  are  formed 
but  at  Oxford,  Boston  &  Cape  Ann, 

25.  Several  British  Vessels,  it  is  said,  are  detained  in  Boston 
harbour,  from  their  apprehensions  of  the  late  Sea  Pirates  which 
have  sailed  clandestinely  under  the  name  of  French  Privateers. 
Roger,  a  negro  Servant  of  Capt.  Allen,  attempting  to  remove  with 
his  fellow  servant  a  boat  from  Derby's  to  Allen's  wharf,  fell  into 
the  water  near  the  wharf.  His  fellow  Servant  saw  him  not  again, 
but  ran  to  his  Master,  &  before  he  could  be  relieved,  he  was  dead. 
It  was  not  in  more  than  six  feet  of  water.  We  were  engaged  in  a 
water  party  on  the  next  day,  &  have  purchased  a  disappointment 
from  an  agreable  circle  at  the  expense  of  the  life  of  this  valuable 
servant.  He  was  brought  from  M'"^  Allen's  patrimony,  &  employed 
upon  low  wages  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties.  This  happened 
at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

26.  Poor  Roger  was  buried  this  afternoon,  in  due  form,  &  the 
Negroes  appeared  in  all  order,  &  well  clad.  The  procession  returned 
without  confusion  to  the  House.  The  Coroner  appeared  to  make 
inquest  after  the  company  was  assembled,  but  it  was  a  doubt 
whether  he  ought  to  have  been  indulged.  The  Servant  was  in  his 
master's  service,  perished  in  his  territories,  &  no  suspicion  was  en- 
tertained, even  that  he  was  dead,  when  taken  into  his  care,  much 
less  that  he  had  been  abused.  There  is  reason  to  apprehend  he  was 
in  liquor,  as  he  fell  from  Derby's  Wharf  into  the  dock  from  which 
he  took  the  Boat. 

27.  Some  pique  against  the  "Centinel"  obliged  the  town  of 
Boston  to  call  a  meeting  to  refute  a  charge  of  its  being  generally 
known  that  armed  vessels  had  been  fitted  out.  And  it  was  the 
sense  of  the  Town  that  the  charge  was  not  supported,  tho'  a  Vessel 
armed  returned  &  was  disarmed  by  authority  of  the  French  Consul. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  Edw.  Allen's  Family,  drowned  Servant, 
sons  at  Sea.     M'  West  having  appeared  in  that  celebrated  contro- 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  37 

versy  on  the  will,  there  will  be  some  employment  for  the  busy  minds 
of  these  singular  eontroversalists,  to  strengthen  the  things  which 
are  ready  to  die. 

29.  Subscriptions  for  the  Coiuraon  going  on  but  slowly  at  pres- 
ent. Curiosity  brings  some  to  view,  &  give  their  judgm<^nts. 
Fiske's  New  Ship,  pierced  for  Guns  has  arrived  at  the  Long  Wharf 
from  the  Eastward,  where  she  was  built.  She  is  intended  for  a 
Sailor.  M""  Merchant  returned,  &  proposes  to  go  on  to  Doctor 
Swett  at  iSTewbiiry  Port. 

30.  The  President's  proclamation  by  the  opposition,  has  awakened 
attention  in  the  mercantile  interest,  the  merchants  of  Beverly  have 
passed  resolutions  tending  to  support  it.  Letter  from  a  prisoner  at 
Algiers,  who  has  been  there  8  years,  complaining  that  he  was  so 
long  left  in  confinement. 

Aug.  1.  [1793]  The  work  of  our  Market  goes  on  much  slower 
than  the  first  zeal  seemed  to  promise.  The  piers  on  which  it  is  to 
stand  are  down,  &  the  frame  has  not  yet  appeared.  The  piers  for 
the  Channel  are  now  in  hand.  The  Common  upon  subscription  yet, 
&  its  fate  undetermined. 

2.  Conversation  revived  respecting  a  Mill  over  the  Cove  between 
the  Bridge  Point,  &  Neck  Point  upon  which  the  Pest  House  stands. 
It  must  be  confesesd  that  it  is  very  easy  to  constriict  a  Causeway 
there,  &  that  it  would  be  convenient  for  Beverley  as  well  as  Salem. 
This  subject  was  considered  in  1773,  &  dropped  on  account  of  the 
political  affairs  of  the  Country.  One  King  is  mover  now,  &  it  may 
be  serious  in  the  mind  of  some  projector. 

3.  The  pier  upon  Gardner's  point  in  the  Channel  is  now  done,  & 
the  other  on  the  opposite  side  is  ready  for  launching.  The  rocks 
are  to  be  removed  from  the  point  to  sink  the  piers,  &  can  be  taken 
away,  &  applied  to  this  use  at  little  expence. 

4.  Sunday.  A  M''  Rolfe  is  at  Danvers,  who,  discribing  the  joys 
of  the  saints  at  Cambridge,  expressed  their  emotions  in  the  cry 
Gaudeamus,  which  word,  like  the  Shoemaker  in  Friar  Gerundio, 
was  taken  for  a  very  common  wish  in  vulgar  language. 

7.  Made  an  excursion  with  Master  Lang*  to  Brown's  farm  &  we 
were  landed  on  Ram  Island,  which  lays  off  the  shore  opposite  to 
^Marblehead  farms.  Our  course  from  Brown's  Beach  was  about  a 
mile,  &  it  must  have  been  3/4  from  the  directly  opposite  shore.  We 
landed  upon  the  Western  side,  &  found  a  Rocky  but  not  a  bold 
shore.  The  whole  Island  is  iron  bound.  Tinker's  Island  off  the 
Neck  seemed  approached  by  stepping  stones.  Tlie  Rocks  off  Phil- 
lip's Point  stretch  in  a  range  with  egg  Rock  off  Nahant.  The  is- 
land is  all  of  the  Hard  Rock,  &  alfords  maintenance  to  six  sheep 
which  we  found  upon  it.  There  is  about  one  acre  of  ground  among 
the  Rocks,  there  being  only  a  small  spot  tolerably  clear  opposite 

•Edward  Lang,  master  of  the  East  school. 


38  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

the  shore.  The  highest  part  of  the  Islaud  is  towards  the  sea,  & 
from  the  three  highest  rocks  at  the  projections  of  the  Island  give 
the  Island  in  all  its  irregularities  the  figure  of  a  triangle.  Within 
us  on  the  shore,  two  boats  from  Boston,  with  a  great  number  of 
hands  were  lading  with  paving  stones  for  the  Town.  We  missed 
the  steeple  of  Marblehead  church  from  which  we  imagined  it  must 
have  been  taken  down.  We  caught  Perch  as  large  as  at  Phillips' 
from  the  rocks  of  the  Island,  but  we  were  told  no  bottom  for  Lob- 
sters. We  disturbed  a  few  birds,  but  we  saw  no  nests.  The 
motion  of  the  sea  upon  the  shoal  water  as  we  approached  the  Is- 
land gave  the  Stones  at  bottom  in  10  feet  of  water  a  white  appear- 
ance but  they  were  of  the  same  rocks  of  the  Island.  We  discov- 
ered no  spring  on  the  Island,  but  water  lodged  in  the  cavities  of 
the  Rock. 

8.  IVF  W^.  Browne  in  behalf  of  London,  formerly  his  Negro  Ser- 
vant, removed  a  building  from  the  South  part  of  the  Town,  upon 
land  below  the  east  meeting  House,  near  the  place,  where  many 
Negro  huts  had  been  erected,  &  by  the  exertions  of  the  neighbours 
had  been  cleared  of  their  disagreable  inhabitants,  who  suffered 
neither  wood,  fence  nor  any  thing  else  to  be  within  their  reach. 
Seeing  this  building,  destitute  of  every  accommodation,  sent  to  take 
place  of  their  former  incumbrances,  they  remained  long  in  disquiet, 
till  repairs  were  begun,  &  then  in  the  night  they  ruined  the  building. 
A  Prosecution  is  on  foot,  &  very  great  threats  are  against  the  sup- 
posed offenders.  The  building  was  not  10  feet  Square,  &  of  only 
one  room. 

9.  This  evening  two  sons  of  misfortune  in  a  small  sloop  upon 
their  last  adventures  in  the  W.  India  Trade,  found  a  dismasted  & 
deserted  Ship  at  Sea,  &  brought  her  into  Port,  richly  laden  with 
west  India  goods  from  Jamaica  for  England. 

12.  The  opinion  begins  to  prevail  that  we  shall  be  involved  in 
the  war  &  the  controversies  begin  to  take  hold  of  the  minds  of  the 
people.  Business  still  preserves  its  old  channels,  &  circumstances 
are  pleasing  in  regard  to  the  success.  In  Boston  the  names  of  sev- 
eral Gentlemen  as  Aristocrats  have  been  held  up  to  the  prejudices 
of  the  Patriots  &  even  affixed  to  the  Masts  of  one  of  the  Ships  of 
war. 

13.  William  Lord  buried  this  day  from  Silsbee's.  The  proces- 
sion was  respectable.  His  mother  lives  with  a  third  husband  at 
Berwick.  M""  Wheelwright  was  at  the  funeral,  his  former  master, 
&  M""  Baker  of  Beverley,  who  claims  to  be  a  relation. 

14.  A  List  of  14  French  Privateers  hovering  on  our  Coasts. 
Consul  Genet  expected  this  way.  Parties  beginning  to  prepare 
themselves. 

15.  Arranged  all  my  papers  &  made  an  entire  disposition  of  my 
affairs.  Had  an  invitation  to  the  Dartmouth  College  Commence- 
ment, &  have  a  plan  of  going  up.     Uncertain  of  the  best  course. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  39 

16.  Was  in  pursuit  of  a  preacher  to  supply  my  Desk.  M'  Tread- 
well  formerly  minister  of  Lynn,  had  refused  so  often,  that  he 
could  not  consistently  comply.  ]\1*'  Green,  formerly  of  Medway, 
now  at  Marblehead,  had  utterly  renounced  all  intentions  of  entering 
the  pulpit.  At  M^veene  I  was  disappointed  of  the  young  gentle- 
man 1  expected  to  find  there.  I  could  not  go  to  Mansfield,  of  Exe- 
ter formerly,  now  residing  at  Marblehead,  &  supplying  a  parish  in 
Gloucester.  Jobbing  ministers  are  much  out  of  repute,  &  perhaps 
deservedly  from  their  abilities. 

17.  Went  to  Danvers  to  Rolfe,  &  he  promised  to  supply  or  send 
Noyes,  or  Preceptor  Smith.  For  the  first  Sunday  I  am  to  be 
supplied  by  Quarles,  a  buffoon.  Farmer,  peddling  minister,  &  black- 
guard. But  as  he  is  decent  in  the  pulpit,  we  are  obliged  to  forget 
on  occasions  what  deserves  more  attention,  that  bad  men  hurt  a 
good  cause. 

18.  Smiday.  Mind  concerned  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  ensuing 
week,  &  the  journey  into  New  Hampshire.  When  anticipation  is 
great,  I  think  of  Paul's  words,  rejoice  with  trembling.  I  leave 
Salem  in  company  with  Capt  B.  Hodges  &  Wife,  &  two  sons,  &  a 
Son  of  Gen  :  Fiske. 

19.  At  sunrise  we  left  S.  and  continued  our  rout  through  Read- 
ing Precinct,  intending  to  breakfast  at  the  Causey,  beyond  the 
meeting  House,  but  disappointed  in  appearances  &  not  admiring  the 
house  of  Flint,  tho'  he  had  a  good  barn,  we  continued,  intending  to 
stop  at  Jones'  on  the  road  from  Boston  to  Haverhill,  &  where  the 
stage  puts  up,  but  deceived  by  a  new  house  well  painted  below  Esqr 
Ford's  we  stopped  &  breakfasted.  Stone's  parish  gives  us  a  good 
prospect.  The  soil  is  hard  &  not  the  best.  At  breakfast  we  were 
not  accomodated  with  taste,  but  by  the  pleasing  officiousness  so 
often  disgusting,  &c.  Our  bills  for  breakfast  were  9d.  At  this 
Tavern  in  Wilmington  we  heard  of  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Morril,  aet.  76.  A  most  useful,  popular  &  benevolent  man.  Asth- 
matic complaints  distressed  the  latter  part  of  his  life.  He  at  last 
died  of  a  Cancer.  His  funeral  is  to  be  on  the  morrow.  With  good 
roads  we  passed  to  Tewkesbury.  On  this  road  this  town  presents 
a  face  of  poverty,  &c.  As  we  entered  the  woods  we  saw  a  stubble 
field  filled  with  pigeons,  which  started  at  our  approach.  Their  his- 
tory in  New  England.  They  perched  on  the  first  trees  &  dispersed 
themselves  in  close  order  upon  the  limbs,  so  as  to  have  afforded 
fine  sport  for  the  friends  of  the  game.  We  passed  into  Bilerica,  & 
the  idea  was  pleasing  to  see  realised  the  ease  &  independance  of  the 
mechanic  professions.  The  first  house  in  good  style  was  near  the 
shop  of  a  mechanic  who  at  advanced  age  was  in  the  habits  of  his 
application.  At  Bilerica  in  the  meeting  House  we  found  a  contrast 
to  the  usual  attentions  of  the  parishes.  The  Tower  was  of  rough 
boards  &  the  Bell  uncovered  upon  it  with  the  shattered  remains  of 
a  wheel,  which  could  assist  but  little  in   the    management   of   it. 


40  DIARY   OP  [Aug. 

Can  it  be  said  that  having  an  enlightened  minister  information  has 
not  the  same  power  as  superstition  to  direct  on  the  repairs  &  orna- 
ments as  are  found  in  these  places.  The  situation  of  the  Town  & 
M.  H.  upon  the  eminence  renders  it  distinguished  among  our  Bay- 
Towns.  The  Houses  upon  the  road  to  Bedford  &  the  farms  have  a 
better  appearance  than  on  the  road  to  Chelmsford.  We  intended 
to  dine  at  Pollard's  in  Bilerica  but  we  were  so  early  that  we  deter- 
mined to  pursue  our  rout  to  Chelmsford.  The  descent  to  the  beau- 
ful  Kiver  the  Concord  was  pleasant  &  we  were  delighted  in  passing 
over  the  new  Bridge,  which  being  arched  high  on  account  of  the 
freshets,  at  this  time  when  the  river  was  low  had  a  fine  effect.  The 
Bridge  might  be  about  100  feet  long,  too  narrow  &  supported  in 
eight  piers  with  sills  in  the  bed  of  the  River.  The  railing  did  not 
lessen  the  effect.  The  river  in  this  place  does  not  divide  the 
Towns,  but  Bilerica  extends  1|-  miles  beyond  it,  till  we  enter 
Chelmsford,  This  part  of  the  town  towards  Tyngsborough  is  the 
meanest  part.  We  had  unequal  &  rough  ways  but  barren  spots,  or 
covered  with  mullen  &  shrub  pines  &  miserable  hovels.  We  ob- 
served two  women  sitting  at  an  excavation  at  one  end  of  a  log  build- 
ing feeding  a  small  fire  which  sent  its  smoak  into  the  building, 
Quere.  We  passed  the  decent  buildings  of  Gen.  Bridge,  who  is  one 
of  the  Senate,  a  popular  &  useful  character.  He  was  unfortunate 
enough  to  incur  censure  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  but  he 
has  not  lost  the  public  confidence.  He  was  but  a  little  time  in 
married  life  &  has  no  children.  He  was  a  resident  at  Cambridge 
while  I  was  in  office  there.  He  has  taken  possession  of  the  man- 
sion of  his  father  the  late  minister  of  Chelmsford  &  has  dismantled 
it,  &  dispersed  it  in  the  form  of  a  right  angle  with  hip  roofs.  It  is 
directly  opposite  to  the  Meeting  House.  The  event  which  has  in- 
duced this  change,  has  also  produced  a  new  meeting  house.  The 
Father,  who  above  fifty  years  has  sustained  the  office  of  the  minis- 
ter, last  year  deceased.  The  old  house  was  abandoned  when  its  old 
possessor  left  it.  Proposals  were  desired  to  erect  one  upon  a  better 
plan.  Gen.  B.  with  other  inhabitants  engaged  to  erect  one  for 
1000£,  &  the  old  House  woi'th  30£  or  to  receive  400£  &  the  privi- 
lege of  selling  all  the  pews  &  seats.  The  last  offer  was  accepted. 
The  house  is  compleatly  finished,  tho'  not  upon  any  consistent  plan. 
It  is  underpinned  with  stones  split  &  faced  from  a  quarry  in  West- 
ford,  some  of  which  a  foot  in  height  are  between  9  &  10  feet  in 
length.  The  frame  of  the  whole  building  is  of  oak,  &  the  posts  of 
the  Tower  are  above  60  feet  high.  The  house  is  painted  well  with- 
out, &  the  Steeple  is  more  modern  than  such  as  are  commonly  found. 
The  Tower  is  joined  to  the  Steeple  by  a  belfrey  yet  destitute  of  a 
Bell,  but  they  have  not  a  pleasing  effect  together.  The  interior 
part  of  the  house  is  painted  upon  the  front  of  the  Galleries  &  the 
pulpit,  &  there  is  gilding  below  the  pannels  in  Chinese  work.  The 
Canopy  is  pendant,  the  window  executed  in  the  Italian,  but  not 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  41 

bold  enough  for  a  good  effect.  The  roof  is  little  arched  but  the 
work  under  tlie  galleries  ai-ched  boldly.  There  is  a  swell  in  the 
front  gallery  which  has  a  good  effect,  &  would  have  a  greater,  pro- 
vided the  gallery  was  but  half  tlie  depth.  The  pews  are  square  & 
inconvenient  but  as  the  pulpit  has  two  flights  of  steps,  &  the  long 
seats  open  before  the  pulpit,  the  eye  forgives  the  flat  pannels  in  the 
projection  of  that  principal  object  in  a  Meeting  House.  The  front 
porch,  if  a  porch  can  belong  to  a  large  &  elegant  building,  has  double 
pilasters  on  each  side  of  the  door  in  front,  &  the  same  on  each  side 
of  the  window  over  it.  If  pilasters  belong  to  jjorches,  when  no 
columns  belong  to  the  House.  We  forgot  the  bui-ying  ground, 
while  dinner  was  preparing  &  we  did  not  see  it  to  be  near,  till  we 
entered  our  carriages.  Gen.  Bridge  furnished  us  his  company  & 
while  we  heard  the  tales  of  the  aged  mother  of  our  Landlord,  aet. 
90,  told  us  of  Esqr  Tyng,  the  great  Landholder  of  the  adjacent  town, 
who  is  of  the  same  age,  &  intending  for  his  heir  a  young  Lady  of 
13,  is  preparing  a  house  to  which  he  may  retreat  a  few  years  hence 
if  it  should  be  disagreable  to  her  to  live  [with]  him  after  her  mar- 
riage. The  Gen.  assured  us  the  expences  of  the  Meeting  House 
were  1400£  &  that  he  had  found  within  two  miles  a  quarry  from 
which  he  had  cut  stones  equal  to  those  under  the  Meeting  House  & 
which  might  easily  be  taken  out  19  feet  long.  He  observed  that 
there  Avas  a  remarkable  equality  in  the  Town,  &  few  poor,  a  cu-cum- 
stance  truly  desirable  in  the  peasantry.  He  was  told  that  an 
advertisement  in  the  adjoining  room  expressing  that  the  "  poor  were 
to  be  set  up  at  vendue,"  did  not  accord  much  with  their  humanity. 
We  conversed  "with  Mr.  Packard,  a  Tutor  at  Cambridge,  who  is  in- 
vited to  the  ministerial  office,  &  has  accepted  &  will  be  ordained  in 
October  next.  90  ag.  19  is  considered  as  a  remarkable  unanimity. 
And  this  is  more  necessary  as  there  is  a  Baptist  Society  within  two 
miles  whose  characteristic  tenet  is  not  so  much  the  religious  tenet 
of  that  denomination,  as  a  right  to  exempt  themselves  from  parish 
taxes. 

We  dined  at  Bollan's  &  paid  1^,  our  engagement  being  to  have 
no  charges  for  the  horsemen  &  his  horses,  &  at  1/2  past  3  set  out 
for  Groton.  The  first  part  of  the  road  was  again  rough  but  soon 
we  were  relieved  by  the  view  of  our  generous  oaks,  chestnuts,  & 
walnuts,  &  orchards  laden  heavily  witli  fruit.  Some  trees  we  found 
absolutely  destitute,  but  the  greater  part  were  richly  laden,  &  many 
limbs  born  to  the  ground.  As  we  entered  Westford  we  saw  the 
best  corn,  &  the  best  tobacco,  &  a  few  small  hop  yards.  Corn  being 
planted  in  all  the  farms  &  a  patch  of  tobacco  near  many  of  the 
barns,  &  some  towns  through  which  we  passed  are  remarkable  for 
hops.  After  passing  a  burying  ground  we  ascended  a  high  hill,  & 
soon  came  to  the  meeting  house,  a  painted  building,  without  any 
front  porch,  &  not  less  agreable  on  that  account,  as  an  object  to  the 
traveller.     Nearly  opposite,  &  almost  compleated  we  found  a  build- 


42  DIARY  OF  [Aug. 

ing  intended  for  an  academy.  It  is  upon  the  general  plan  of 
Philips',  being  of  two  stories,  and  with  a  belfrey.  The  interior 
partitions  were  not  up.  We  were  pleased  with  the  Houses  &  farms 
in  the  neighbourhood,  &  for  the  first  time  had  our  eyes  relieved  on 
the  hill  by  a  sheet  of  water  of  but  moderate  breadth  but  extending 
above  a  mile  in  length,  &  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  we  found  Iron 
works,  &  the  furnaces  at  work.  We  did  not  stop  to  examine  the 
different  buildings  near  the  water  works  which  were  but  tempora- 
ry sheds  erected  for  the  purpose.  From  the  rough  roads  we  passed 
over  several  miles  of  pines  &  sandy  land,  &  soon  were  relieved  with 
the  elegant  seat  of  G-.  Prescot,  &  the  Buildings  of  his  Son  about 
1/2  mile  below  him.  The  seat  is  opposite  to  the  Boston  road  which 
at  this  place  enters  into  the  cross  road  to  Worcester.  The  Meeting 
House  soon  presented,  painted  white,  &  being  finished  better  than 
at  Chelmsford,  without  a  front  porch,  would  have  been  a  delightful 
object,  had  not  the  steeple  been  so  narrow  in  its  dimensions  at  the 
dome  as  to  resemble  the  oldest  &  worst  fashions  of  our  country. 
Near  the  M.  House  a  building  was  erecting  much  in  the  form  of  the 
Westford  Academy  with  a  door  at  one  end  prob.  for  a  Court  House 
as  a  C.  of  Common  Pleas,  &c.  is  now  to  be  held  in  this  Town  in 
which  for  a  long  time  the  probate  has  been  held.  Gen.  Prescot 
house  has  near  it  a  stone  shewing  that  it  is  36  miles  to  Boston  &  30 
miles  to  Worcester.  Called  at  the  General's  &  found  an  elegant 
House  in  good  order,  but  he  was  not  within.  Alighted  at  Eichard- 
son's  above  the  Meeting  House.  We  passed  two  droves  of  sheep 
as  we  entered  Groton,  the  last  of  which  was  very  large  &  an  honour 
to  our  country,  going  to  the  Market.  The  School  in  good  repair. 
The  building  we  supposed  for  a  Court  House  is  another  academy  by 
Act  of  Court.     The  probate  twice  at  our  Landlord's  in  a  year. 

We  left  Richardson's  at  6  in  the  morning  &  soon  after  passed 
the  Nashuay  over  a  Bridge  of  about  half  the  length  of  the  Bridge 
at  Bilerica  over  the  Concord.  This  Bridge  was  of  the  old  Con- 
struction of  the  Bridge  over  the  Charles  at  Cambridge  supported 
over  head  by  a  cross  piece  &  braces.  We  passed  through  a  corner 
of  Peperell,  &  soon  entered  Townsend  near  a  great  Store  kept  by 
Baldwin  near  the  Quanikook  which  runs  near  the  road  &  on  our 
left  &  supplies  some  saw  mills.  After  passing  the  Town  at  the 
upper  end  we  saw  the  mills  upon  a  bed  of  rock  over  which  Wil- 
lard's  stream  descends  &  crosses  the  road  after  winding  at  the  foot 
of  a  mountain.  We  then  ascended  the  hill  &  passed  over  a  ridge 
narrow  as  the  road,  &  we  passed  again  Willard's  stream.  The  road 
for  three  miles  was  then  very  rocky  &  mountainous,  &  near  to  Ash- 
by  Meeting  House  we  stopped  at  Wy man's  for  breakfast,  just  4 
miles  &  1/2  from  New  Hampshire  Line,  fifteen  miles  from  our  de- 
parture &  passed  three  miles  in  Pepperall  &  6  in  Townsend.  We 
were  much  pleased  with  the  hospitality.  We  found  this  place  with- 
out a  minister  &  it  has  been  destitute  nearlj'  eleven  years.     They 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEV,    D,   D.  43 

settled  a  minister  named  Whitman,  whose  maxim  was  to  adopt  no 
prudence  in  declaring  his  sentiments  on  religion,  which  were  rigid- 
ly Hoi)kinsian.  His  unyielding  temper  soon  framed  him  an  oppo- 
sition, which  rendered  it  necessary  for  him  to  depart,  after  having 
justified  the  charge  that  the  controversy  he  had  introduced  had  cost 
the  parish  more  than  their  whole  part  of  the  American  war.  He 
has  since  settled  in  Goshen.  In  Pepperell  formerly  was  a  Mr. 
Emerson,  a  very  affable  man,  but  now  a  Mr.  Bullard,  one  year  be- 
fore me  in  his  education  at  Cambridge.  We  begin  to  observe  the 
road  deeply  gullied  especially  where  lately  repaired,  by  the  late  ex- 
cessive rain  about  a  fortnight  since.  In  Ashby  all  things  bear  the 
face  of  a  new  country.  The  pines  rise  a  very  considerable  height 
&  first  make  the  bold  appearance  belonging  to  the  stately  tree.  On 
all  the  fields  we  beheld  the  Trees  strewed  in  great  numbers  &  the 
marks  of  the  fires  which  have  lately  passed  through  the  new 
grounds.  Many  girdled  trees  stand  tottering.  The  country  abounds 
in  the  pine  shrub  &  promises  nothing  but  to  the  last  labours  of  in- 
dustry. Their  beehives  are  constructed  upon  the  old  fashion  without 
any  of  the  modern  improvements.  The  lioads  have  all  the  marks 
of  great  labour  but  much  remains  to  be  done.  Beyond  Townsend 
meeting  house,  which  we  left  at  the  entrance  of  a  road  to  the  right, 
there  is  an  entirely  new  road  to  the  left  &  much  shorter.  This 
TovvTi  is  well  watered,  &  the  streams  are  beautiful. 

After  we  left  Wyman's  &  advanced  towards  the  New  Hampshire 
line  [we  saw]  a  Conical  Hill  of  a  very  regular  shape,  covered  with 
pines  to  its  summit,  excepting  a  small  bald  rock  to  the  south  near 
to  the  top  &  of  an  elevation  considerably  greater  than  of  the  adja- 
cent hill,  which  stretched  northward.  We  soon  rose  the  Hill  having 
the  Hill  Wonomenock  on  our  left,  &  crossed  New  Hampshire  line 
&  we  continued  for  many  miles  ascending  &  descending  hills,  cliffs, 
&  rocks  in  all  forms  &  in  the  greatest  irregularity,  as  we  passed  be- 
tween the  mountains  through  a  corner  of  New  Ipswich,  through 
which  this  road  has  been  lately  opened.  The  opposition  of  the  in- 
habitants of  New  Ipswich  was  steady,  because  it  did  not  pass  through 
the  middle  of  their  Town,  but  at  length  a  County  road  was  laid  out 
&  tho'  we  might  from  the  present  state  imagine  opposition  or  some 
other  cause  had  prevented  all  attention  to  the  road,  yet  we  have  reason 
to  believe  much  has  been  expended  upon  it,  &  when  we  consider  that 
a  few  years  since  it  was  utterly  impassable  by  any  carriages,  we 
may  confess  that  great  labour  has  been  bestowed  but  much  more  is 
necessary  to  prevent  every  discouragement  to  those  who  do  not  travel 
by  necessity.  Large  projecting  stones,  immense  quarries,  flat 
stones,  cross  naked  pieces  of  wood  in  the  low  grounds,  make  Gov- 
ernoi-'s  Hill,  as  it  is  called,  terrible  to  the  Traveller.  We  walked 
the  greater  part  of  the  distance  from  this  terrible  hill  into  Rindge, 
first  from  fear,  &  then  from  necessity,  having  broken  the  stud  of 
our  right  back  spring.  The  road  was  in  the  latter  part  of  it  in  a  more 


44  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

open  but  not  a  well  cultivated  country.  The  houses  were  generally 
framed,  of  one  story  &  of  two  apartments,  with  a  door  in  front,  & 
two  windows  not  well  supplied  with  glass,  sometimes  shingled, 
often  slabbed  &  never  clapboarded.  Some  of  their  hay  is  stacked. 
We  found  many  log  pens,  &  the  barns  were  the  largest  &  best 
buildings.  The  settlements  are  evidently  in  their  infancy  &  the 
soil  very  unpromising,  &  little  observable  difference  to  be  seen. 
Before  we  reached  the  meeting  house  we  saw  the  first  fulling  mill 
on  our  right,  with  its  cloth  of  a  deep  brown  colour.  We  were  very 
glad  to  reach  the  Meeting  House  at  Rindge  near  which  was  a  hand- 
some house  built  by  a  young  Trader  from  Brooklyn  &  now  occu- 
pied as  a  Tavern.  A  large  House  on  the  right,  well  painted,  of  a 
light  Colov;r,  &  square  appeared  an  agreable  object  in  the  general 
poverty.  This  House  was  lately  erected  by  the  Minister.  This 
Gentleman  was  of  the  same  Class  with  me  at  Cambridge,  &  had  an 
opportunity  in  this  place  to  indulge  his  propensities  towards  a 
rural  life  in  pleasing  affluence  &  with  the  greatest  affections  of  his 
charge.  In  seeing  him  &  observing  his  simplicity  of  manners  & 
good  information,  &  good  taste,  &  usefulness,  it  was  impossible 
not  to  think  of  the  parish  vicar  of  Rousseau  in  the  happiness  of 
his  charge  without  one  idea  of  his  insincerity  &  political  conformi- 
ty. He  had  a  predecessor  who  tarried  only  a  few  years,  &  then 
retired.  He  mentioned  that  his  Brother  Payson  of  Chelsea  who 
preached  his  Ordination  sermon  in  1782,  recollecting  that  he  had 
been  in  these  parts  in  the  character  of  an  Indian  hunter  from  the 
observations  on  the  Hill  above  the  Meeting  House,  which  is  the 
highest  land  in  the  Town  &  the  Pond  below,  determined  the  spot 
of  the  Meeting  House  must  have  been  the  same  in  which  he  lodged 
in  his  blauket  in  the  woods  not  30  years  before.  The  charge  &  the 
occasions  excited  an  agreable  surprise,  &  some  happy  reflections  on 
the  occasion.  There  are  thirteen  ponds  in  this  Town,  some  of 
which  empty  into  the  Connecticut,  &  some  into  the  Merrimack. 
We  were  informed  that  from  a  pond  near  the  Road  the  well  known 
river  Contoocook  originates.  Mr.  Payson  was  of  the  opinion  we 
did  not  pass  it  on  our  road.  The  Contoocook  passes  from  the  pond 
in  Rindge  to  the  Pond  in  Jeffry  &  then  the  stream  enlarges  in  the 
edge  of  Jeffry  &  passes  till  it  empties  into  the  Merrimack  above 
Concord.  Had  a  pleasing  interview  with  Mr.  Payson  &  saw  at  his 
house  Revd  Cushing  from  Asburnham.  They  intend  for  an  Asso- 
ciation Meeting  on  Wednesday  at  Fitz-William.  This  association 
professes  to  be  free  from  the  peculiarities  of  the  Hopkinsians  &  are 
of  that  class  of  Calvinists  who  make  their  opinions  consistent  with 
the  quiet  of  their  tempers  &  characters. 

At  Gardner's  we  found  good  entertainment  &  a  woman  of  very 
agreable  manners.  The  house  is  finished  handsomely  but  in  no 
uniform  style.  There  is  something  much  above  what  we  have 
yet  found.     We  drank  Tea  with  Mrs.  Payson  &  found  in  her  all 


1793]  AVILLTAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  45 

the  qualifications  for  the  useful  character  she  has  to  sustain.     She 
has  some  deafness  which  threatens  to  become  an  infirmity.     Our 
Children  amused  themselves  in  collecting  blackberries  with  which 
we  were  regaled,  &  Avhich  abound  in  the  place  &  we  found  a  species 
of  the  double  spruce,  which  was  brewed  into  a  very  agreable  beer. 
Mr.  Gardner  has  a  store  opposite  to  his  house  &  has  frames  for 
shops,  &  convenient  apartments  adjoining  to  his  barn  above  200 
feet  in  length.     After  our  Carriage  was  repaired,  tho'  by  an  unsuit- 
able workman,  for  it  has  suffered  much  in  the    last   stage,    after 
breakfast  the  next  day,  at  seven  we  left  for  Malborough,  marked  in 
Holland's  Survey,  Oxford.     We  had  the  Grand  Menadnock  in  full 
view,  as  we  had  the  Wachuset  from  Gardner's  in  the  south,  at  15 
miles  distance.     The  line  between  Jeffry  &  Dublin  runs  over  the 
top  of  this  mountain  which  erects  its  sublime  head  &  with  its  bald 
pate  mounts  into  the  Clouds.     Mr.  AVinthrop  attempted  to  ascertain 
its  height  in  1780  &  brought  his  barometer,  &c.  for  the   jmrpose, 
but  it  was  broken  in  ascending,  &  we  ha.ve  his  opinion  only  for  the 
height  of  nearly  3/4  of  a  mile  from  the  level  of  the  sea.     On  this 
occasion  several  gentlemen  ascended,  it  being  at  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Sprague,  who  is  one  of  the  examples  of  a  mans  being  indulged  in 
his   wishes,   without    qualifications  &  of  the  power  of  wealth  to 
support  an  entire  insignificancy  of  character.     We  were  near  the 
G.  Menadnock  in  the  whole  of  this  stage.     Its  first  appearance  as 
viewed  from  the  South  east  on  the  road  to  Jeffry  was  near  by.    We 
promised  ourselves  a  better  road  as  we  were  much  disappointed  for 
the  first  five  miles  &  till  we  reached  a  tavern  in  Jeffrey  eight  miles 
But  we  had  very  long  &  rough  hills  to  descend  which  obliged  us  to 
walk  the  greater  part  of  the  way,  and  even  in  the  hollows  the  naked 
pines  laid  across  added  to  the  disagreable   circumstances   of   our 
journey.     At  length  when  in  full  view  of  our  next  place  to  stop  at, 
in  Malborough  at  another  Trader's  1/2  mile  beyond  the  Meeting  H. 
we  snapped  off  the  stud  of  our  spring,  which  had  been  most  miser- 
ably repaired  by  the  clumsy  smith  in  Eindge  &  were  obliged  to  fin- 
ish the  stage  on  foot.     These  Traders  have  been  very  successful  in 
our  Country  Towns,  &  are  commonly  young  enterprising  sons  of 
Farmers,  who  having  a  small  patrimony,  by  a  few  years  of  persever- 
ance are  commonly    able    to    acquire   very    easy    fortunes.     Their 
wealth  in  itself  inconsiderable,  is  comparatively  great,  &  they  com- 
monly exhibit  it  in  their  large  painted    Houses,    in   the   Center  of 
Towns,  which  are  contrasts  to  every  other  part  of  the  Roads.     We 
had  a  view  of  some  good  oaks  just  before  we  reached  the  middle  of 
Malborough  which  was  a  pleasing  relief  amidst  the  pines,  &  the 
rude  appearance  of  perishing  trees,  fields  covered  with  stumps  or 
yielding  an  ordinary  crop  of  corn.     7   miles   from   the   Tavern   at 
Jeffry   brought   us  to    Sweetzer's    at   Malborough.     The    Meeting 
House  at  Jeffry  was  four  miles  east  of  the  Tavern.     As  we  were 
preparing  to  leave  INEalborough  we  found  a  large  company  of  males 


46  DIAKY   OF  [Aug. 

&  females  riding  towards  Dublin  &  found  that  they  were  to  be 
present  at  the  raising  of  some  frame  for  the  house  of  a  good  farmer. 
We  soon  saw  the  intended  minister  &  a  veteran  farmer  following 
in  the  same  rout.  There  must  have  been  a  great  assembly  on  the 
occasion  &  this  is  a  well  known  opportunity  to  unite  the  assistance 
of  the  neighbour  &  townsman  with  the  social  enjoyments  &  merri- 
ment of  rural  life.  At  Malborough  we  parted  from  an  honest  Ver- 
mont yeoman  who  had  been  in  pursuit  of  a  stolen  horse,  who  had 
greatly  endeared  himself  to  us.  His  name  was  Bigelow.  He  ob- 
served at  Eindge  our  misfortunes  &  our  solicitude  on  account  of  the 
badness  of  the  roads  before  us  &  finding  us  strangers  he  kindly  tar- 
ried &  gave  us  his  company  through  the  worst  passes  of  the  road 
discovering  a  generous  freedom  from  that  mercenary  temper  too 
conspicuous  among  the  virtues  of  our  N.  Eng.  adventurers.  Our 
carriage  having  been  sent  on  a  mile  for  repairs  we  descended  a  long 
hill  of  the  whole  extent  on  foot  &  had  an  extensive  &  delightful 
prospect.  The  whole  country  below  us  seemed  divided  into  little 
hills,  covered  with  pines,  &  beautifully  distinct  in  our  view.  We 
soon  joined  on  our  right  in  better  road  than  he  had  hitherto  found, 
the  northern  branch  of  the  Ashavellot,  saw  two  branches  unite  & 
passed  them  on  a  very  poor  bridge  just  before  we  reached  Keene. 
This  river  joined  above  by  its  principal  branches  pursues  its  course 
through  Swanzey,  Winchester,  &  Hinsdale,  into  the  Connecticut., 
Upon  entering  the  Street  of  Keene  we  were  agreably  relieved  from 
the  inhospitable  appearance  of  the  Houses  in  the  farms  by  the  ap- 
pearance of  Trade,  &  prosperity.  The  Meeting  House  is  new,  its 
paint  does  not  recommend  it,  &  its  steeple  is  too  small,  &  the  spire 
in  the  old  fashion.  As  may  be  seen  in  the  Connecticut  river,  some 
errors  about  electrical  rods  have  induced  them  to  support  them 
without  the  vane  which  gives  them  an  awkward,  as  well  as  unphil- 
osophical  appearance.  The  House  appears  better  within  than 
without.  There  is  a  Tub  Pulpit  supported  much  in  the  fashion  of 
our  common  pulpits  excepting  its  stand  upon  a  post  below  attached 
to  the  balustrade  behind.  There  are  many  long  seats  in  the  body 
of  the  house.  It  is  well  arched.  The  old  meeting,  standing  a  Httle 
back  on  the  right  of  the  new  meeting,  has  been  given  to  the  County 
for  a  Court  House.  It  is  in  a  most  neglected  condition.  Several 
of  the  best  houses  seem  to  be  occupied  as  Taverns.  There  are  sev- 
eral gentlemen  of  the  Law  in  the  Street  &  several  variety  stores. 
The  street  is  wide,  but  no  uniformity  of  buildings  &  from  the  posi- 
tion of  the  meeting  house,  &  the  road  running  west,  the  whole  has 
a  scattered  appearance.  We  stopped  at  Richardson's  near  the  M. 
House  after  a  ride  of  six  miles.  Revd.  Fiske  of  Wilton  &  Liver- 
more  with  Mr.  Hale  of  the  Town  gave  us  their  company  in  the 
evening. 

At  6  in  the  morning  we  set  out  from  Richardson's  in  Keene  for 
Walpole  14  miles.     At  this  house  we  saw  the  spring  which  runs 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  47 

under  the  Street  &  for  a  small  expense  is  led  to  the  respective  houses 
&  furnishes  already  water  for  his  troughs,  &  is  intended  for  every 
domestic  use.  The  convenience  is  hardly  imagined  till  it  is  seen. 
Our  road  lay  through  a  corner  of  Westmoreland  &  Surrey  &  after 
2  1/2  miles  Ave  took  the  left  hand  road,  to  pass  through  Walpole 
Street,  the  other  road  leading  through  the  upper  parts  of  the  Town. 
"We  found  the  road  such  that  in  comparison  with  the  past  we  might 
pronounce  it  good,  excepting  the  long  hills,  frequently  above  a  mile 
in  the  ascent  only  &  with  some  steep  descents.  We  hrst  descry 
the  ^Meeting  House  over  a  Hill  with  a  crown  top  at  2  miles  distance 
in  the  road,  but  not  more  than  half  that  in  direct  distance.  We 
descended  a  remarkable  hill  before  our  entrance  upon  the  Street. 
The  INIeeting  House  to  be  central,  when  lately  rebuilt  was  removed 
half  a  mile  on  this  side  of  the  street,  is  well  painted,  &  has  a  spire. 
The  appearance  of  the  street  is  much  in  juried  from  the  hill  as  we 
approach  from  the  winding  path  in  which  we  enter  it  under  the  Hill. 
As  we  entered,  we  saw  for  the  first  time  the  Connecticut,  &  the  in- 
tervals afford  a  very  pleasent  view  with  Westminster  in  Vermont 
just  rising  from  the  opposite  banks  &  with  a  spire  in  a  group  of 
painted  houses.  The  land  appeared  good  &  well  cultivated,  &  for 
the  first  time  the  farmers  appear  with  two  stories  upon  their  houses 
without  the  street.  The  land  presents  a  very  hilly  appearance 
towards  Vermont  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  On  this  road  I 
met  my  class  mate  Crosby  from  Charlestown  in  which  he  lived.  The 
attachment  which  had  been  so  sincere  in  this  relation  gave  me  fresh 
joy,  &  compensated  for  the  difficulties  through  which  we  passed. 
When  I  arrived  I  found  my  first  attention  drawn  to  my  classmate 
Sparhawk  who  lived  at  Walpole  with  great  reputation  as  a  physician 
&  is  an  example  of  the  great  disappointments  we  often  receive  in 
the  abilities,  applications  &  success  of  young  Gentlemen  at  the 
University.  He  was  absent  on  business.  I  could  only  leave  my 
name.  He  remains  in  unmarried  life,  possessed  a  new  &  handsome 
square  house  on  the  Street,  which  is  conspicuous  in  this  pleasing 
situation.  Walpole  like  Keene  is  surrounded  by  high  Land,  & 
protected  from  the  violence  of  winter.  The  minister  named  Fes- 
senden,  in  a  Sermon  preached  this  year  at  Charlestown  on  the 
death  of  their  Minister  set.  60  &  in  the  33d  of  his  ministry,  says  that 
he  was  the  eldest  minister  in  the  county  &  that  as  yet  only  one  had 
died  in  the  ministry,  Mr.  Wheaton  of  Claremont,  &  till  now  no  one 
had  deceased  among  his  people. 

After  a  late  breakfast  at  Munn's  we  set  out  for  Charlestown,  12 
miles  &  in  the  first  part  of  the  road  had  some  of  the  Walpole  hills 
which  soon  gave  place  to  the  sandy  plains  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  Connecticut.  We  passed  between  Great  Falls  Mountain,  over 
the  river  which  empties  at  its  foot,  &  the  Connecticut,  &  observed 
on  the  left  as  we  were  leaving  this  pass  the  rough  rocks  which  here 
obstruct  that   river,   &  lay  across   its  course.     They  continue  at 


48  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

some  distance  &  over  them  is  a  Bridge  with  a  gate  on  the  opposite 
side.  The  arrangement  of  our  stage  so  as  to  bring  us  into  this  sit- 
uation at  bui'ning  noon  prevented  that  particular  attention  which 
the  cascades  &  rushing  waters  demanded  even  in  the  present  re- 
duced state  of  the  Kiver.  We  had  scarcely  passed  the  gates  of  the 
Intervals  before  we  were  alarmed  by  the  loss  of  a  linch-pin  from 
one  of  the  fore  wheels  which  we  discovered  timely  enough  to  pre- 
vent the  upsetting  of  the  coach.  The  farmhouses  here  are  much 
improved  &  we  indulged  ourselves  in  frequent  stops  on  the  road  on 
account  of  the  heat,  which  gave  us  opportunity  for  more  particular 
observations.  We  saw  one  field  of  hemp  in  a  very  flourishing  con- 
dition, which  they  were  cutting.  We  passed  several  tan  yards 
which  seemed  to  be  long  in  the  business.  We  found  Charlestown 
in  appearance  better  than  Keene  or  Walpole.  The  Houses  are  bet- 
ter than  at  Keene  &  not  so  much  the  air  of  an  entirely  new  Town 
as  Walpole.  The  Buildings  of  two  Stories  are  less  confined  here  to 
the  Street  &  are  not  all  belonging  to  the  present  generation.  The 
Meeting  House  has  as  good  proportions  as  any  of  them,  &  a  much 
better  spire,  with  a  lantern  upon  the  Dome,  with  a  Bell,  &  public 
Clock  with  pointers,  &  seems  to  have  been  the  predecessor  of  all 
these  buildings,  &  tho'  a  fruit  of  more  early  zeal  not  refusing  a 
competition. 

The  Gaol  here  has  much  the  resemblance  of  the  old  Meeting 
Houses,  &  it  was  at  first  a  conjecture  that  as  at  Keene  they  had  con- 
verted one  into  a  Court  House.  Here  economy  had  formed  a  gaol 
that  nothing  might  be  lost.  We  walked  down  to  the  Great  Landing 
after  dining  at  Williard's  &  saw  the  Connecticut  rolling  quietly 
along.  We  observed  a  great  number  of  the  birds,  called  here  night 
hawks,  playing  in  the  air.  The  number  was  said  to  be  unusual. 
There  is  a  pointer  in  the  Road  to  direct  the  passenger  to  the  right 
in  the  way  to  Dartmouth  College.  We  tarried  &  drank  tea  at  Wil- 
lard's  &  lodged. 

We  rose  in  the  morning  &  passed  to  Claremont.  W^e  soon  dis- 
covered the  traces  of  the  History  of  New  England.  In  the  Charter 
Government  of  New  Hampshire,  great  pains  were  taken  in  the  grants 
to  make  provision  for  the  English  Church,  &  in  consequence  of  it  the 
Congregationalists  had  great  difficulties  as  maybe  known  by  the  late 
attempts  to  revive  the  Controversy  by  one  Ogden  of  Portsmouth.  We 
found  an  English  Church  in  this  place  which  was  early  introduced  & 
which  was  under  the  care  of  one  Cossart,  who  left  soon  after  the  peace 
from  the  loss  of  his  support  from  the  society  for  prop :  the  Gospel, 
which  was  withdrawn  from  all  the  churches  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  United  States.  He  retired  to  Cape  Breton  within  the  Brit- 
ish dominions.  The  people  did  not  fail  to  try  for  a  support  of  a 
Minister  within  themselves  but  without  success  &  as  the  parish  is 
nearly  divided  the  whole  remain  destitute  &  sufferers.  We  entered 
this  place  after  passing  the  woods,  mounting  the  Hill  7  1/2  miles. 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  49 

The  Church  in  view  is  back  of  the  road.  The  Meeting  house  three 
miles  back  is  not  in  sight.  We  passed  some  heavy  hills.  In  this 
Town  we  passed  the  Sugar,  a  river  which  has  a  very  considerable 
stream  &  whicli  is  so  named,  say  the  Inhabitants,  from  the  maple 
trees,  which  abound  most  in  this  place. 

We  here  rode  through  tlie  best  cultivated  part  of  the  country  & 
after  5  miles  we  passed  into  Cornish.  We  found  the  meeting  house 
near  the  ferry,  not  finished  &  without  a  minister,  occasionally  sup- 
plied from  the  other  side  of  the  river.  We  passed  the  River  &  entered 
Windsor,  from  which  a  county  is  named  in  Vermont,  &  in  which  the 
Constitution  of  this  state  was  accepted  in  July  last.  We  here  found 
the  greatest  appearance  of  a  busy  town  &  at  Conant's  found  a  Hall 
for  their  Assemblies.  We  found  no  meeting  House.  The  people  are 
divided  in  their  religious  opinions.  The  populace  adhere  to  Mr. 
Bell  who  was  lately  dismissed  from  Almsbury  on  the  Merrimac  & 
the  rest  to  Mr.  Shuttlesworth.  The  last  assemble  in  the  Court 
house  &  the  first  in  a  School  house  as  we  enter  the  Street,  both  on 
the  left  hand.  The  Court  House  above  Conant's  has  a  modern  win- 
dow in  it  towards  the  street.  Shuttlesworth's  society  has  taken 
the  title  of  the  Catholic  Society.  Mr.  Bell  occasionally  ofiiciates  at 
Cornish.  Here  as  everywhere  else  Truth  seems  not  to  command 
respect,  as  superstition.  Tho'  this  place  has  the  least  regularity  of 
all  the  Towns  in  which  the  houses  are  collected  in  a  neighbourhood, 
yet  the  mechanic  arts  seem  more  flourishing  &  employment  more 
sure.  Many  new  buildings  are  preparing  &  the  ornamental  parts 
all  attended  to  with  distinguished  regard.  There  is  a  printing 
press  in  this  Town  in  which  much  of  the  paper  Currency  was  emit- 
ted &  in  which  they  have  printed  the  Constitution.  The  buildings 
are  in  all  that  variety  which  a  busy  Town  in  various  success  would 
appear  from  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants.  They  are  inter- 
mixed. Printing  Presses  are  at  Keene,  Walpole,  Windsor,  but  we 
see  the  advantage  of  an  alliance  with  Thomas  of  Worcester  in  the 
Walpole  Gazette.  There  is  the  greatest  appearance  of  business  in 
the  County  Trade  at  Keene.  Great  exertions  have  been  made  to  in- 
troduce Town  &  circulating  Libraries.  I  found  Mr.  Payson  had  laid 
the  foundation  of  a  social  Library  even  in  Rindge,  &  the  Collection 
was  more  judicious  in  every  branch  than  in  divinity.  We  visited 
Shuttlesworth  &  found  his  wife  the  agreable  sister  of  Fisher  Ames, 
Senator  of  Congress.  We  left  Windsor,  full  of  expectation  in  re- 
gard to  the  road,  &  soon  passed  a  company  repairing  a  dangerous 
hill,  &  passed  on  to  Hartland.  The  Meeting  House  is  2  miles 
above  the  River  road,  &  some  new  arrangements  had  taken  place  in 
that  road.  A  new  Church  upon  a  Glebe  of  300  acres  with  a  Manse 
was  building.  It  is  said  Mr.  Ogden  is  to  officiate  depending  on  the 
Glebe,  &  such  hearers  as  he  can  gain  from  the  neighboring  towns. 
We  have  seen  the  success  often  enough.  This  Church  is  in  a  Cor- 
ner of  Hartland  near  the  River.     We  went   above   &    crossed  the 


50  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

river  at  Baldwin's  ferry,  about  9  miles  above  Windsor,  &  9  miles 
from  College.  We  were  deceived  in  the  road  &  found  it  very 
uneven  till  we  reached  the  Dartmouth  College.  W^hen  we  arrived 
it  was  too  late  to  make  any  observations.  We  were  received  at 
Gen.  Brewster's  Tavern,  at  the  Corner  entering  upon  College  Square. 
Here  we  found  a  full  house,  &  I  experienced  the  inconvenience  of 
being  lodged  in  a  room  with  Strangers.  But  as  we  had  walked 
much  in  passing  through  Plainfield  &  Lebanon  since  we  crossed  the 
river  we  retired  with  as  little  satisfaction  as  on  any  part  of  the  jour- 
ney. In  Lebanon  we  passed  a  pleasant  group  of  houses.  We  found 
our  house  of  entertainment  decorated  with  the  Arms  of  Lord  Dart- 
mouth after  whom  the  College  is  named. 

Arose  in  the  morning  and  attended  prayers  with  a  Cambridge  & 
Dartmouth  Graduate.  The  Chapel  is  improved  for  Sunday  wor- 
ship as  well  as  this  purpose  &  stands  near  the  College  projecting 
between  the  President's  house  &  the  College.  The  conversation  is 
respecting  the  building  of  a  meeting  house  when  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  the  Chapel  may  be  better  accomodated  to  the  Students.  The 
Chapel  was  built  in  the  present  form  by  the  expence  in  part  of  the 
neighboring  inhabitants,  who  are  to  be  paid  whenever  a  new  Meet- 
ing house  is  begun.  The  President  prayed  this  morning.  He  was 
short  in  the  exercises  and  had  a  low  voice.  After  prayers  we 
passed  through  the  New  College,  which  has  entries  at  right  angles 
&  twelve  apartments  on  the  floor.  We  rose  the  three  stories  & 
viewed  from  the  Belfrey  the  adjacent  houses,  for  there  was  no  dis- 
tant country  to  be  seen.  The  roughness  of  a  wild  country  appeared 
every  where.  A  more  particular  discription  of  the  College  &  its 
vicinity  I  leave  for  my  return.  After  breakfast  I  saw  Professor 
Smith  who  officiates  in  the  pulpit.  He  has  not  an  agreeable  person, 
but  a  good  character.  I  was  introduced  to  the  President  by  Major 
Saunders  who  received  us  with  great  courteousness  &  with  his 
characteristic  hospitality.  We  spent  a  few  minutes  &  retired, 
at  this  busy  season  of  preparation.  Mr.  Smith  will  shew  me 
the  public  Library,  Apparatus,  &c.  at  my  return.  We  left  the 
College  &  passed  through  Lime.  Stopped  at  Wilson's  in  Lime  to 
dine  at  nine  miles  from  the  College  &  after  dinner  reached  Morey's 
farm,  purchased  by  Capt.  Joseph  Pratt,  to  whom  our  visit  was  in- 
tended, at  three  o'clock  Saturday,  August  24. 

Orford  was  settled  about  28  years  ago.  Capt.  Mann  was  with  us, 
who  informed  that  he  was  the  second  person  who  entered,  one  Cross 
was  here  before  him.  There  were  five  families  thafc  season.  They 
entered  by  marked  trees,  &  for  seven  years  there  was  no  road  for 
any  carriage  whatever.  At  the  Census  last  there  were  540  souls,  & 
are  now  120  families.  About  five  years  ago  they  settled  a  Mr. 
Sawyer  whose  parents  had  moved  into  the  settlement.  No  Indians 
have  been  seen  in  the  settlement  from  the  beginning.  Some  do  ap- 
pear at  the  Colleges  of  whom  Capt.  Pratt  purchased  a  Birch  milk- 


1793]  WILLIAM    BENTLEV,    D.    D.  61 

pan.  The  bottom  is  square  &  sewed  to  four  pieces  of  the  bark 
which  are  formed  so  as  to  appear  round  when  the  bottom  of  the  pan 
is  covered.  I  saw  on  Sunday  morning  for  the  first  time  a  Hedge 
hog,  which  was  then  bleeding.  Its  quills  resembled  the  porcu- 
pine except  in  size.  I  preached  with  them  under  the  frame  of  their 
meeting  house  which  is  not  provided  for  galleries  &  has  a  Tixrret  at 
the  South  end.  About  one  hundred  only  attended  as  the  minister 
had  notified  his  absence  to  preach  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  & 
there  was  preaching  on  the  opposite  side  by  a  Mr,  Gould  &  on  the 
edge  of  Lime  by  Mr.  Lyon.  Spent  the  evening  at  Capt.  Pratt's 
with  Capt.  Mann  &  some  of  the  inhabitants.  On  jNIonday  morning 
we  travelled  one  mile  1/2  from  Capt  Pratt's  to  see  the  Quarry  of 
soft  stone  called  by  Eelnap  improperly  the  Soap  stone.  We  saved 
several  pieces  &  brought  several  inkstands  formed  of  it.  It  is  of  a 
light  colour  mixed  with  blue  in  the  quarry  but  has  a  dirty  colour 
when  oiled.  We  visited  the  Mills.  There  are  five  in  the  Township 
for  grists,  for  saws,  fulling  &  for  iron,  which  is  of  an  inferior  qual- 
ity. 

An  Indian  path  was  visible  through  the  town  from  the  N.  W.  cor- 
ner towards  Merimack  &  the  canoes,  men  &  prisoners  were  marked 
on  trees  so  as  to  record  the  events  on  the  spot.  Piles  of  clamshells 
were  found  in  several  places.  The  bones  of  several  of  Rogers'  men 
were  found  &  by  a  stone  kettle  they  first  were  led  to  discover  the 
nature  of  that  curious  stone  they  have  now  at  hand  to  work  into 
hearths,  mantles,  jambs,  &  every  familiar  use.  In  the  afternoon 
we  visited  Mr.  Sawyer,  &  saw  Mr.  Smith  at  his  house.  The  last 
is  settled  in  Haverhill,  &  has  been  the  cause  of  a  contention  trifling 
in  its  cause,  but  of  probably  evil  consequences.  It  began  at  cen- 
sures requested  of  a  Rev.  Mr.  Lambert  of  Newbury  upon  two  men 
for  refusing  ministeral  taxes,  &  for  leaving  the  goal  after  having 
been  taken  when  purposely  left  open  for  their  escape.  Spring, 
Merrill,  &  Dutch  are  of  the  ex  parte  Council.  Mr.  Fiske  was  with 
us  in  the  evening.  Mr.  Ogden  just  returned  from  Canada  makes 
his  usual  pompous  appearance  in  the  Hanover  Centinel,  full  of 
that  self  importance,  which  characterises  this  vain  &  weak  man. 
He  probably  will  do  much  mischief  in  this  country.  Col.  Simpson 
is  an  agreeable  man  &  Gen.  Morey  has  all  the  marks  of  a  temperate 
&  industrious  man.  We  visited  Capt.  Mann,  a  most  lovely  char- 
acter &  a  Mr.  Phelps,  a  leading  &  popular  character. 

On  Tuesday  it  was  our  first  design  to  have  returned  to  the  Col- 
lege but  not  being  able  to  provide  accomodations,  &  a  night's  quiet 
we  preferred  our  present  situation,  &  to  forgo  the  exhibitions  of 
this  day,  as  we  had  those  of  yesterday.  After  breakfast  we 
crossed  the  river  into  Vermont,  into  the  town  of  Fairlee  &  passed 
2  miles  through  the  woods  to  Gen.  Morey's.  He  conducted  us  to  a 
hill  from  which  we  had  a  fine  view  of  his  meadows,  &  his  mills. 
He  has  turned  the  injury  from  rain  by  producing  gullies  inthe  road 


52  DIARY   OP  [Aug. 

to  a  lesson  of  instruction,  by  conducting  water  to  the  edge  of  preci- 
pices &  so  forcing  the  land  down  to  make  his  causeway  &  save  la- 
bour. We  returned  to  dine  &  after  dinner  crossed  again  to  Free- 
man's who  keeps  the  ferry  &  regaled  ourselves  with  his  water  mel- 
ons. We  were  here  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Conny,  which  is  continu- 
ally dropping  part  of  its  precipices  below.  Ice  has  been  at  the 
spring  in  July.  We  returned  &  prepared  to  rise  early  for  Com- 
mencement. We  had  every  attention  from  Eevd.  Mr.  Sawyer  on 
the  road  &  reached  the  Colleges  before  ten.  Soon  after  our  arri- 
val the  bell  gave  notice  of  the  procession.  My  companions  quar- 
tered themselves  upon  their  acquaintance  &  visited  the  President's 
house  from  which  the  procession  moved.  The  doors  were  open  to 
all,  who  pleased  to  enter,  liquors  were  prepared,  &  the  President 
entered  occasionally  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  company.  The  pro- 
cession was  round  the  square,  into  the  Chapel.  The  windows  were 
taken  down  to  accomodate  the  crowd  without.  The  order  was  of 
Batchelors  &  masters,  the  president  preceded  by  an  officer  who  on 
this  occasion  was  the  Printer  &  Master  of  Moor's  School,  with  a 
white  staff,  the  Trustees  &  Governors,  &  beyond  them  there  was  no 
arrangement.  They  who  seemed  to  be  first  were  not  so.  After  a 
short  prayer  by  the  President,  the  Batchelors  began  their  exercises 
in  the  following  order.  Latin  oration  on  the  fine  arts,  with  a  sal- 
utory  address.  Then  there  was  a  syllogistic  disputation  on  the 
use  of  Luxury,  urged  by  population,  agriculture,  arts  &  political 
cultivation  upon  which  the  President  determined  Luxuris  qua 
requitiam  promovet  per  nicisia  est.  The  Forensic  war  upon  the 
useful,  whether  determined  by  intuition,  experience  &  reason.  Upon 
which  the  president  decided  we  learn  by  experience,  &  compare,  & 
comparing  our  reason.  We  then  had  a  dialogue  upon  the  benefit  of 
conquests  to  mankind.  We  then  had  the  trial  of  Louis  XVI.  which 
was  a  farce  being  destitute  of  all  expression.  A  Greek  dialogue 
concluded  the  morning  service,  &  we  adjourned  to  dinner.  The 
Hall  is  in  the  end  of  a  long  building  at  the  right  of  the  College, 
above  which  is  a  low  building  with  wings  joined  by  a  Piazza,  for- 
merly appropriated  to  the  entertainment  of  the  students,  &  in  part 
kept  at  present  for  the  same  purpose.  The  Moor's  School,  ovw 
which  is  the  Printing  Office,  is  at  the  Upper  corner  of  the  Square 
on  the  line  of  the  river,  &  is  a  two  Story  School  House.  The 
President's  House  is  on  the  left  of  the  College  &  is  a  plain  Build- 
ing with  a  Crown  Roof  upon  the  second  story,  standing  length  on 
the  square  &  having  a  large  yard,  &  agreable  ascent  before  it. 
The  Chapel  on  a  line  with  the  president's  yard,  &  in  front  of  an 
opening  between  his  house  &  the  College,  hinders  afviU  view  of  the 
College  except  in  the  full  front,  &  has  no  exterior  appearance  to  de- 
note its  designation.  It  is  not  glazed  in  the  second  range  of  win- 
dows &  is  not  high  enough  to  admit  galleries.  The  arching  pre- 
vents the  second  range  of  windows  within.     The    College   itself   is 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  63 

not  disagreable  &  of  fine  elevation.  As  we  approach  we  find  it  a 
very  unfinished  building.  The  stairs  are  in  the  cross  entry.  The 
long  entr}^  is  dark  &  the  building  in  an  unfinished  state.  The  gal- 
leries &  Balustrades  on  the  Cupola  give  it  a  Heavy  appearance. 
Behind  even  the  Yard  is  in  a  rough  state.  In  the  Hall  about  one 
hundred  Gentlemen  principally  of  the  Clergy  dined,  with  the  Pres- 
ident, Governors,  &  Trustees.  There  was  room  for  a  still  greater 
number.  The  Grace  was  offered  to  strangers,  &  performed  by  aged 
Clergymen.  No  Toasts  were  drank  by  the  whole  Company.  Wines 
&  other  Liquors  were  prepared  &  the  Dinner  was  served  up  with 
good  order  &  good  attendance.  The  whole  company  retired  upon 
the  returning  of  thanks  without  a  single  ceremony  &  in  a  few  min- 
utes, the  Bell  gave  notice  of  the  evening  service.  A  wish  to  ac- 
comodate myself  &  friends  &  to  avoid  the  confusion  of  the  rabble, 
obliged  a  proposal  to  take  lodgings  at  some  distance  from  the  Col- 
lege. We  had  invitations  to  the  Assembly  of  Ladies  in  the  eve- 
ning. We  continued  our  way  from  House  to  House,  but  could  not 
obtain  any  lodgings  till  we  were  below  the  ferry  on  the  east  side 
of  the  river  in  Plainfield,  ten  miles  below  the  Colleges.  Here  we 
saw  the  Church,  found  our  Landlord  one  of  the  four  to  erect  it,  &  to 
patronize  Mr.  Ogden,  respecting  whom  I  could  not  refuse  to  drop  a 
few  hints  for  the  Gazette  at  Hanover,  in  which  he  made  so  pom- 
pous a  figure  last  week,  corresponding  much  to  his  ostentatioiis 
appearance  at  Commencement.  The  ejecting  of  the  minister  at 
Plainfield,  the  discontent  at  Hartland,  speak  loudly  the  consequences 
of  his  measures  in  this  Country,  all  of  which  have  reference  to  the 
glebes  in  this  government  found  in  the  old  charter,  &  guaranteed 
by  the  Society  for  propogating  the  Gospel  in  foreign  parts.  The  or- 
ders of  this  Society,  &  the  various  opinions  of  the  people  will  be 
causes  of  most  odious  contentions.  I  hope  from  this  stage  to  be 
free  from  the  painful  recollection  of  ecclesiatical  disputes,  &  soon 
to  enter  upon  the  old  establishment  of  puritanical  simplicity  &  sin- 
cerity. As  we  had  ridden  a  mile  below  the  first  ferry  to  Hartland  & 
Windsor,  which  we  crossed  going  up,  we  concluded  to  continue 
our  route  on  the  east  side,  &  very  soon  discovered  the  long  hill, 
which  induces  travellers  to  pass  the  river,  &  go  through  the  pleas- 
ent  town  of  Windsor.  W^e  continued  on  &  passed  the  first  ferry  & 
stopped  at  Cornish  at  Chase's  where  we  made  our  breakfast.  Here 
I  begun  those  disagreable  hours  which  disqualify  for  all  enjoyment 
&  riding  in  the  extreme  heat  of  the  day.  We  reached  Charlestown 
about  two  in  the  afternoon.  Here  I  took  a  little  milk,  was  obliged 
to  explain  myself  to  the  Company  &  passed,  &c.  Mr  Hedge  the 
Preceptor  of  the  Charlestown  Academy,  conducted  me  to  the  build- 
ing, which  stands  on  the  plain  back  of  the  Street  &  is  a  neat  Build- 
ing, with  an  entry  passing  through  the  middle,  &  the  two  rooms  be- 
low are  appropriated  the  one  to  the  learned  Languages,  the  other  to 
the  reading,  writing  &  studying  english,  arithmetic,  &c.  The  second 


54  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

story,  well  arched,  is  one  spatious  Hall,  used  for  dancing,  fencing 
&  for  the  Academic  exhibitions.  There  was  a  favourite  youth  in 
the  Grammar  School,  a  natural  child,  fitted  for  the  University  & 
to  be  assisted  by  charity.  He  submitted  to  an  examination  &  ac- 
quitted himself  with  approbation.  The  youth  in  the  english  school 
performed  their  exercises  while  I  was  present  &  deserved  commen- 
dation. Males  &  females  are  admitted,  &  the  number  amounts  to 
eighty  of  both  sexes.  The  Academy  is  incorporated,  but  supported 
by  the  Tuition.  Happy  sight  this  in  a  country  but  lately  redeemed 
from  the  Avilderness.  I  found  a  M.  St.  Pol  who  exhibited  with 
Placide  at  Salem,  the  Dancing  Master,  Fencing  Master,  &  Teacher 
of  the  French  Language.  His  deportment  has  been  decent  at  this 
place.  Alexander's  English  Grammar  is  used  here,  of  which  a  copy 
was  presented  by  the  master.  Mr.  Hedge  was  one  of  my  pupils  in 
the  University  of  Cambridge.  We  left  Charlestown  &  on  the  road 
determined  to  return  by  Springfield  in  Massachusetts.  After  eight 
miles  in  our  former  road,  we  passed  into  Vermont  over  a  Toll 
Bridge,  at  the  Great  Falls  at  the  foot  of  the  Mountain  &  entered 
Rockingham.  We  were  embarrassed  at  first  by  the  lower  road,  as  a 
new  one  has  been  opened  above  &  after  three  miles  we  arrived  at 
Spooner's  a  new  Tavern,  two  miles  above  the  Meeting  House.  Here 
we  were  kindly  entertained  for  the  night,  had  a  sight  of  the  Ver- 
mont Laws  published  by  authority  in  1791  in  8vo.  &  were  present- 
ed a  copy  of  one  of  the  Court  Sessions. 

We  rose  in  the  morning  &  breakfasted  and  then  passed  through 
Westminster.  The  street  is  far  from  giving  us  the  same  agreable 
appearance,  as  when  viewed  from  Walpole  Meeting  House  hill. 
There  is  a  Court  House  here,  but  the  Courts  have  been  removed. 
This  is  the  County  of  Windham,  one  of  the  Covmties  which  lays  up- 
on the  Connecticut.  Windsor  is  next  above,  &  then  Orange.  On 
the  other  side  of  the  State  are  the  Counties  of  Bennington,  Rutland, 
Addison  &  Chittenden  reckoning  upwards.  They  intend  the  divi- 
sion into  a  greater  number  of  Counties,  but  have  not  yet  accom- 
plished it.  The  Meeting  House  is  well  painted  &  has  a  spire.  We 
mounted  several  hills  in  our  road  to  Putney,  &  had  a  pleasing  view 
of  the  Meeting  House  &  high  land  in  Westmoreland,  a  Town  which 
upon  the  Census  had  the  greatest  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  Coun- 
ty to  which  it  belongs.  The  view  was  romantic.  We  stopped  a  few 
minutes  at  Goodwin's  having  ridden  10  1/2  miles  &  then  put  in  for 
Brattleborough,  through  the  lower  part  of  Pelham,  alias  Dummers- 
town.  The  road  of  good  bottom  &  in  good  repair  but  very  hilly. 
After  9  1/2  miles  we  reached  Dickerson's.  We  passed  West  river 
in  Brattleborougli  soon  after  our  entry  into  the  Town  over  the  new 
Bridge,  erected  by  a  Lottery,  about  four  years  since.  It  cost  about 
680£.  The  bed  of  the  River  was  wide  &  covered  with  a  broad  rip- 
ling  sheet  of  water,  &  fordable  with  ease,  except  in  the  time  of  the 
freshets.     The  prospect  around  is  more  beautiful.    We  saw  the  hills 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  55 

in  Chesterfield  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  River  topped  with  Clouds, 
that  move  gently  along,  after  the  rain  which  kindly  showered  upon 
us  hist  night.  We  tarried  at  Dickersou's  to  dine  and  had  a  good 
dinner.  After  dinner  we  left  for  Alvord's  in  Bernardston  &  having 
passed  a  mile  on  Ave  found  anew  road  leading  to  the  right  through 
Guildford,  rather  than  Hinsdale  &  which  was  said  to  deserve  a 
preference.  From  the  junction  on  the  top  of  the  hill,  we  beheld 
below  us,  at  about  1/2  miles  distance  the  well  known  spot,  where 
stood  Fort  Dummer,  which  I  visited  above  12  years  ago  in  winter. 
Willard  who  then  lived  there  is  dead,  &  the  spot  is  occupied  by  Esqr 
Chandler,  At  my  first  visit,  some  of  the  work  of  the  old  fort  re- 
mained, but  now  the  whole  is  gone  &  a  small  farm  house  takes  the 
gi'ound.  Our  road  was  here  hilly,  woody,  narrow  &  in  the  low 
grounds  swampy,  and  the  houses  in  Guildford  on  this  road  were 
miserable.  We  passed  the  Massachusetts  line  about  a  mile  before 
we  reached  the  house  in  Bernardston  to  which  we  were  directed.  It 
was  a  new  &  imfinished  house  &  the  stage  was  the  worst  we  had 
made  upon  our  return.  Besides  the  prospect  of  the  Country  which 
was  poor,  the  accomodations  were  mean.  We  were  in  rooms  with- 
out partitions,  without  clean  linen,  &  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
persons  who  slept  near  us.  I  lodged  upon  the  bed,  in  no  sense  in  it. 
After  breakfast  we  passed  towards  Greenfield,  &  observed  on  our 
left  a  new  Meeting  House  belonging  to  Bernardston,  painted  of  a 
light  colour,  &  very  agreable  as  a  distant  object.  From  Bernardston 
we  passed  near  Greenfield  Meeting  House  which  is  in  a  neglected 
state,  &  two  miles  from  the  streets  which  are  quite  on  the  southerly 
quarter  of  the  Town.  This  neglect  is  formed  on  a  dispositon  to 
divide  the  Town  into  two  Parishes,  the  N.  House  being  central,  but 
at  an  uncommon  distance  from  many  of  the  inhabitants.  Green- 
field streets  are  much  changed  for  the  better,  since  my  former  vis- 
its. There  is  a  printing  press  in  the  Town,  &  a  weekly  Gazette. 
There  were  several  large  shops  of  goods,  &  the  appearance  of  in- 
creasing prosperity.  In  10  1/2  miles  we  reached  the  Streets  & 
passed  over  the  best  road  taken  together  in  the  whole  journey.  It 
was  level ,  hard  bottom,  being  almost  all  the  way  a  quarry  of  slate. 
Within  the  distance  of  a  mile  &  1/2  of  Deertield  M.  House,  we 
passed  the  River  Deerfield,  &  then  entered  upon  a  highly  cultivated 
spot,  till  we  entered  the  street.  The  condition  of  this  town  is  little 
changed.  In  the  street  are  some  of  the  richest  Land  holders  in 
New  England.  The  Meeting  House  is  now  painting.  There  is  a 
public  Clock,  a  lantern  upon  the  Dome,  &  a  fine  appearance  of  the 
private  buildings.  Here  I  was  obliged  to  stop  &  remember  my  for- 
mer acquaintance.  Mr.  Hoit  at  the  Tavern  waited  upon  me  to  vis- 
it Mr.  Stebbins,  aet.  74,  with  whom  I  once  boarded.  He  is  the  rich- 
est farmer  in  Hampshire  County  &  l)egan  by  his  industry  in  Shoe- 
making,  Tanning,  &c.  I  visited  the  Houses  of  Messieurs  Dickenson, 
&c.  but  found  almost  all  the  men  absent  in  the  meadows.  foun 


56  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

Deacon  Armes,  Esqr  Sexton,  Esqr  AVilliams,  Col.  Stebbins,  &c.  We 
were  not  13  miles  from  Alvord's,  Bernardston.  We  then  rode  on  9 
miles  to  Smith's,  Whately.  We  passed  through  the  Deerfield  mead- 
ows in  high  cultivation,  with  Wapping  on  our  left  towards  the 
mountains.  We  passed  Bloody  brook  &  the  monument  erected  to 
the  memory  of  the  men,  who  perished  by  the  strategems  of  the  In- 
dians, in  an  early  period  of  American  history.  At  Hoit's  we  saw  the 
house  which  alone  escaped  the  flames  when  Deerfield  was  taken,  & 
the  door  of  which  is  preserved  as  a  specimen  of  their  attack  upon 
it.  We  did  not  see  the  monument  from  mistaking  the  side  of  the 
Eoad  on  which  it  was  erected.  At  Deerfield  they  settled  a  Mr.  Tay- 
lor 4  years  ago  last  Feb.  We  saw  in  this  place  the  red  stone  taken 
from  the  bank  near  the  Town,  which  is  cut  into  steps,  &  for  uses  in 
building.  As  we  passed,  a  road  went  to  the  right  towards  Conway 
&  soon  after  another  to  the  left  to  Sunderland  ferry.  Conway  is 
one  of  the  examples  of  remarkable  population.  Mr.  Emerson  their 
minister  assured  me  that  when  he  settled  it  was  small,  at  ray  visit 
12  years  since.  It  has  continued  its  increase  &  now  is  in  competi- 
tion in  numbers  with  Northhampton  itself.  It  is  a  great  grazing 
country  and  is  known  for  its  fine  breed  of  Horses.  At  Smith's  we 
dined  indifferently  &  paid  dearly  &  then  left  for  Hatfield,  5  miles. 
We  saw  Toby  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Eiver  &  the  Sugar  Loaf 
near  us  &  entered  Hatfield,  whose  M.  House  is  benefitted  by  chang- 
ing a  red  paint  for  a  more  ornamental.  On  all  the  road  we  saw 
Amherst  Xew  Meeting  House  with  a  spire  &  glanced  at  Sunderland 
through  the  trees,  having  also  a  view  of  Hadley  below  us.  We  con- 
tinued 5  miles  further  &  reached  Northhampton.  This  Town  exhib- 
its a  good  M.  H.,  just  below  a  neat  Court  House  with  a  Cupola,  & 
below  that  an  Academy.  We  stopped  a  moment  at  Lyman's  &  be- 
ing determined  to  spend  Sunday  in  Springfield  we  hurried  on  five 
miles  further  passing  a  part  of  East  Hampton  to  another  Lyman's. 
On  the  hill  3  miles  from  the  Town  we  beheld  the  Steeples  of  N. 
Hampton,  Hatfield,  Hadley,  &  Amherst  in  full  view.  After  having 
ridden  two  miles  through  the  intervals  &  very  close  to  the  bank  of 
the  Connecticut,  which  was  in  the  greatest  calm  winding  its  course 
slowly  along.  We  passed  a  Bridge  soon  after  we  left  the  Meeting 
House,  as  we  did  at  Hatfield,  &  received  no  small  assistance  from 
the  painted  directions  placed  at  the  parting  of  the  Roads.  At  North- 
hampton we  found  a  Printing  Press  &  weekly  Gazette  &  an  account 
of  the  New  College  lately  founded  by  an  act  of  the  Government  in 
Williamston.  They  have  adopted  the  plan  of  Yale  College  admit- 
ting an  examination  &  studies  in  french  instead  of  greek,  whenever 
it  should  be  preferred.  Their  first  Commencement  is  to  be  on  first 
Wedn :  of  Sep.  1795,  and  then  annually.  The  College  Building  is 
prepared.     Board  at  6/  pr.  week. 

We  tarried  &  lodged  at  Lyman's  &  on  Sunday  morning  rose  early 
&  breakfasted  &  set  out  for  Springfield.     Two  miles  on  we  came  to 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  57 

the  bed  of  rocks,  which  make  a  bad  &  rough  road,  &  passed  the  river 
forming  the  falls,  over  which  we  found  a  Lock,  &  Canal  extending 
two  miles  &  which  with  the  help  of  the  inclined  plane  over  which 
a  machine  moved  by  water  is  to  carry  boats  upon  a  descent  of  50 
feet.  It  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  &  the  day  would  not  al- 
low our  examination  of  it.  It  is  to  be  completed  this  fall.  The  dam 
is  of  wood,  inclined  like  the  similar  constructions  for  miles  over 
water  falls,  where  there  are  freshets.  The  whole  expence  estimated 
at  40,000  dollars,  &  the  expence  of  passage  by  Ton  is  fixed  at  4/6. 
We  passed  through  West  Springfield,  &  crossed  the  ferry  so  as  to 
be  at  East  Springfield  at  the  2d  bell  for  Morning  Service  at  Parson's, 
15  miles  from  Lyman's.  We  attended  public  worship.  The  con- 
gregation was  large  &  respectable.  Mr.  Howard's  Sermon 
adapted  to  the  Communion  which  was  celebrated  this  day.  The 
whole  front  of  the  Gallery  was  filled  with  a  respectable  number  of 
Gentlemen  &  Ladies,  &  the  Music  excellent  tho'  not  pronounced 
their  best  performance  by  the  people,  the  Choirester  &  bass  viol  be- 
ing absent.  At  the  Communion  the  Church  was  full.  The  whole 
number  exceeding  70  males  &  150  females,  most  of  whom  were 
present.  There  were  two  prayers  before  &  after  the  breaking  of 
bread  &  distribution  which  formed  the  service.  I  dined  with  IVlr. 
Howard  &  his  father  in  Law  Mr.  Williams  &  preached  in  the  after- 
noon. Col.  Dwight  &  my  friends  joined  us  at  Tea  at  the  Parson's 
&  after  Tea  we  walked  to  the  Col's  &  to  see  several  antiquities  of 
the  Town.  The  Chicabee  enters  after  a  course  in  Massachusetts  in- 
to the  Connecticut  just  above  east  Springfield  street,  &  the  Agawam 
on  the  west  side  below  West  Springfield  M.  House.  The  Agawam 
has  a  strong  current  &  over  powers  the  Connecticut  passing  its  cur- 
rent to  the  opposite  bank.  It  has  repeatedly  changed  its  bed,  &  logs 
have  been  found  buried  20  feet  below  the  surface  in  great  abun- 
dance. We  found  here  as  in  ail  parts  of  this  country  springs  con- 
ducted from  the  adjacent  hills  &  in  the  Distillery  of  Col.  Dwight 
he  told  us  that  he  was  supplied  with  water  at  the  full  altitude  of  all 
his  tubs  at  28  feet.  We  visited  Pynchon's  house,  perhaps  as  old  as 
any  in  the  government.  This  eminent  man  built  his  house  of  brick 
&  the  red  stone  which  is  abundantly  supplied  in  the  country.  It 
has  a  large  porch  in  front,  with  two  rooms.  A  long  entry.  The 
Chimnies  above  the  roof  are  ornamented  by  as  many  diamond  fig- 
ures as  smoaks  seated  upon  the  square  of  the  Whole  with  some 
smaller  ornaments.  The  rooms  are  panelled,  &  the  whole  front 
from  window  to  window  is  one  continued  seat.  The  Coving  pro- 
jects 2  feet  &  the  altitude  of  the  rooms  is  good.  Other  buildings 
are  now  attached,  but  the  old  part  with  little  repairs  is  yet  in  good 
order.  This  building  alone  escaped  at  the  burning  of  Springfield. 
Before  the  House  are  two  stately  &  aged  elms,  which  have  suffered 
by  wind  &  lightning,  but  which  yet  make  a  venerable  appearance. 
They  must  have  been  planted  above  120  years.     One  of  them  at  8 


68  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

feet  from  the  ground  measures  22  1/2  feet  round  &  the  other  24  & 
the  swell  of  the  roots  from  the  ground  is  103  feet.  A  plum  tree  be- 
tween not  resembling  anything  known  in  our  country,  is  yet  stand- 
ing at  considerable  height.  Tarried  all  night  at  Parson's  &  in  the 
morning  set  out  from  Springfield  towards  Boston,  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Howard  to  the  Arsenal  1/2  mile  from  the  Town.  We  stopped 
here  some  time  to  survey  the  spot  on  which  the  noted  Shays  were 
attacked,  &  the  buildings  which  contain  the  military  stores  of  the 
Continent  which  are  in  this  State.  We  found  a  Capt.  Bryant  at  the 
Arsenal  who  lost  an  arm  in  the  continental  service.  The  Largest 
Building  contained  on  the  lower  floor  a  variety  of  articles  laid  upon 
each  side  with  great  good  order,  such  as  Brass  guns,  Coehorns,  mor- 
tars &  the  necessary  apparatus.  Above  4,000  stands  of  arms,  prin- 
cipally french,  all  in  good  order,  &  happy  arrangement  made  a 
more  agreable  figure.  From  the  Arsenal  we  passed  to  the  Gunnery 
where  there  was  nearly  the  same  arrangement  &  from  thence  to  the 
Foundery.  But  as  the  furnace  was  not  at  work  we  had  only  an  oppor- 
tunity to  see  their  rough  work,  moulds,  &c.  They  work  only  in 
brass.  Barracks  yet  remain  out  of  the  great  number  which  were 
built  on  this  spot.  We  observed  the  place  where  Col.  Sheppard 
stationed  his  regiment  when  he  fired  upon  Shay's  &  the  ground  over 
which  he  so  precipitately  retreated.  There  is  a  general  opinion  of 
the  true  courage  of  this  unhappy  man,  but  not  of  his  infoimation, 
or  knowledge  of  his  own  party.  We  were  informed  at  Deerfield 
that  about  10  days  before  our  arrival  he  was  openly  begging  from 
house  &  after  several  days  gained  eleven  dollars  from  such  as  had 
favored  his  party.  After  riding  nine  miles  we  descended 
a  hill  &  crossed  the  Chicabee  which  we  passed  again 
&  again  till  we  left  Brookfield  Pond.  Seven  mile  pond  on 
our  left  had  an  appearance  of  a  river.  We  saw  another 
small  pond  on  the  same  side  &  another  on  our  right. 
We  passed  at  12  miles  a  long  rough  hill  in  Parmer,  after  passing  a 
miserable  Baptist  Meeting  House  on  our  left  in  the  Corner  of  Wil- 
braham,  13  miles  from  Springfield  we  stopped  but  could  not  be  en- 
tertained at  Greave's  &  proceded  1/2  mile  to  Esq""  Scott's  where  we 
were  delayed  to  partake  of  a  miserable  dinner.  We  crossed  the 
river  into  Western  over  Reed's  rocky  hill,  &  passed  their  shattered 
Meeting  H.  &  after  the  whole  ride  of  28  miles  for  the  day  we 
stopped  at  Hitchcock's  in  Brookfield.  Here  we  observed  the  new 
School  house  with  a  large  belfry  upon  it.  At  the  public  House  we 
could  observe  the  manners  of  the  Peasentry  after  meeting  for  pub- 
lic business.  Many  of  them  did  not  leave  the  Tavern  till  midnight 
&  some  not  without  assistance.  They  had  hardly  retired;  before 
the  stages  began  to  move  in  opposite  directions  so  that  the  motion 
was  incessant  through  the  whole  night.  We  had  good  accomoda- 
tions. The  road  hitherto  afforded  no  pleasant  farms,  &  towards 
Springfield  was  the  worst   soil.     We  passed  the  West  M.  H.  in 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  59 

Brookfield  to  the  Centre  M.  H,  which  has  a  spire,  &  saw  several 
pleasent  farms.  We  stopped  in  the  edge  of  Spencer  but  found  no 
accomodations,  we  tlien  persevered  to  Leicester  over  the  hills  pas- 
sing a  neat  M.  H.  in  Spencer.  There  is  anew  Meeting  H.  in  Lei- 
cester &  near  it  the  Academy  formed  from  the  Building  of  Mr. 
Lopus,  the  Jew,  who  was  the  only  one  of  reputation  who  lived  in 
the  enjoyment  of  his  religion  before  the  war  in  this  state,  &  who 
perished  by  a  singular  accident,  as  he  was  passing  towards  Rhode 
Island,  by  falling  into  the  River  in  the  road  from  the  sudden 
plunging  of  his  horses.  The  Bviildings  are  much  out  of  repair  & 
made  not  that  appearance  which  corresponds  to  their  general  char- 
acter in  the  Country.  We  found  the  Minister  withdrawn  from  his 
labours  by  the  gravel,  a  complaint  under  which  he  has  not  the  usual 
share  of  pity  from  the  habitual  indolence  of  his  life. 

We  continued  on  to  Worcester  21  miles  from  our  departure  at 
Brookfield.  The  fine  walls  on  the  farm,  as  well  as  the  extensive 
prospects  of  Stickney's  house  in  Leicester  attracted  attention  as  we 
passed.  We  entered  Worcester  but  the  Town  was  evidently  not 
situated  for  a  prospect  or  to  engage  a  Traveller.  We  wind  into  it 
from  the  adjacent  hills,  and  no  metamorphosis  can  be  greater 
than  is  observable  here  within  a  few  years.  The  Meeting  H.  is 
elegantly  repaired  &  painted.  The  Catholic  Society  have  erected 
their  House  7  miles  below,  a  little  back  from  the  Town  upon  the 
turn  of  the  road  towards  Boston.  They  have  a  Schoolhouse  &  a 
neat  Building  whose  cupola  is  not  yet  finished  which  is  held  by 
proprietors  &  subscribers  in  the  Town  for  the  special  advantages  of 
education.  Mr.  Bangs  of  the  Law  &  Mr.  Bancroft  of  the  Catholic 
Society  accompanied  us  to  view  the  Town.  The  Court  House  is  a 
neat,  small  building  on  the  left,  of  fine  elevation.  The  Goal 
was  the  first  specimen  in  our  state  of  a  strong  stone  building  &  it 
has  been  imitated  with  success  &  upon  a  larger  scale  at  Concord,  & 
the  Master  workman  unhappily  lost  his  life  lately  in  erecting  one 
at  Amherst  in  N.  Hampshire.  This  place  has  been  the  most  remark- 
able for  Criminal  cases  of  all  in  the  Bay.  There  is  one  now  coufined 
for  murder,  another  for  Burglary  &  a  female  for  Forgery.  The 
murderer  was  tried  several  years  ago  for  the  murder  of  his  father 
&  acquitted  upon  the  plea  of  mental  debility  from  the  benefactor, 
whom  he  has  now  murdered,  Capt.  Allen.  We  visited  the  Rooms, 
find  four  on  the  lower  floor  all  of  stone  &  convenient  apartments  in 
the  third  loft  for  debtors  with  the  privileges  of  the  yard,  for  whom 
a  passage  is  provided  over  the  fence  that  they  might  not  pass  the 
lower  yard.  We  then  visited  the  printing  press  of  Mr.  Thomas 
which  is  the  largest  employed  in  New  England.  We  found  in  one 
apartment  the  press  employed  in  an  8vo.  ed.  of  the  Bible.  In  an- 
other, a  press  upon  Whitney's  history  of  Worcester  County  &  the 
whole  apparatus  in  great  variety.  Here  is  the  Best  Book  store.  Of 
the  Books  a  Catalogue  was  presented.     They  are    chosen   from  the 


60  DIARY  OP  [Sept. 

common  demand  &  contain  few  curious  or  rare  Books.  We  dined 
agreably  at  Barker's  &  left  the  Town  after  3  o'clock,  passed  one 
Meeting  H.  in  Shrewsbury  on  our  left  &  left  the  other  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  road,  at  this  season  out  of  sight.  We  passed  North- 
borough  M,  H.  &  Town  &  at  dark  arrived  at  William's  in  Marl- 
borough above  the  Meeting  H.  30  miles  from  Boston.  The  mile 
Stones  of  the  Conn.  Red  Stone  were  our  constant  company  on  the 
road  from  Springfield  to  Worcester,  but  were  not  regular  afterwards. 
At  this  stay  I  had  the  entertainment  of  recollecting  past  scenes  as  I 
had  tarried  several  weeks  in  this  place  in  a  public  character.  Our 
house  was  full  &  we  were  crowded  together.  At  Shrewsbury  we 
passed  the  residence  of  Gen.  Ward,  so  well  known  in  this  State  by 
the  chief  command  at  Cambridge  till  Gen.  Wash:'s  appointment. 
He  has  changed  his  fortune  &  his  condition  as  little  as  any  man, 
who  has  taken  so  active  &  distinguished  a  part  in  our  revolution  & 
perhaps  our  country  may  plead  examples  of  this  kind  with  as  much 
justice  as  the  Romans,  &  as  easily  refute  the  charges  of  mercenary 
&  private  ends. 

After  we  left  Williams  we  came  to  Marlborough,  a  rich  grazing 
town  in  which  we  found  things  in  a  state  similar  to  that  in  Deer- 
field.  They  were  generally  rich,  but  no  appearance  of  any  great 
change  since  the  revolution  in  our  country.  The  house  of  the 
young  minister,  Mr.  Packard,  from  a  happy  marriage,  the  principal 
advantage  of  the  Clergy  for  wealth,  was  much  distinguished  from 
all  other  buildings,  public  &  private.  The  Meeting  House  is  neg- 
lected which  commonly  denotes  some  political  or  religious  cause. 
In  this  Town,  the  want  of  a  central  situation  &  the  hope  of  divi- 
ding the  Town  influence.  We  soon  found  here  the  complaints 
from  want  of  rain  justified.  The  whole  country  seemed  parched, 
&  we  rode  in  clouds  of  dust,  so  as  often  not  to  distinguish  each 
other  in  the  Coach.  Our  expences  too  rose  high.  When  we  en- 
tered Sudbury  we  found  improvements,  more  ornamental  life  than 
was  observable  before  the  revolution.  We  stopped  to  pay  compli- 
ments to  a  worthy  &  wealthy  minister  in  East  Sudbury,  after  pas- 
sing the  Causeway.  We  found  the  people  had  improved  the  dry 
season  to  clear  their  river  near  the  bridge  &  to  dike  their  meadows 
&  with  great  advantage.  We  rode  on  15  miles  to  Flagg's  at  Wes- 
ton where  we  dined.  Here  we  found  the  Stage  from  Worcester,  & 
the  management  &  attention  paid  to  them  in  Stage  Inns.  We  had 
in  the  course  of  this  stage  passed  six  stage  coaches  &  wagons.  From 
Flagg's  we  passed  to  Waltham,  which  has  derived  great  advan- 
tages from  the  late  taste  for  improvement.  The  Houses  were  in 
better  order  &  we  saw  rising  on  our  right  a  splendid  seat  belonging 
to  Gore.  The  right  wing  was  not  compleated  but  the  whole  formed 
a  fine  object.  On  the  left  &  opposite  hands  as  we  went  down,  we 
saw  the  advantages  derived  from  an  agricultural  society,  which  has 
induced  Gentlemen  of  taste  to  attend  to  the  extensive    experiments 


[1793  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  61 

made  to  facilitate  the  management  of  the  farm.  The  Barns  had 
every  advantage  from  the  modern  improvements.  The  History  of 
our  Towns  is  better  known  than  at  any  former  period  from  a  sim- 
ilar institution.  We  passed  on  to  Watertown,  &  found  a  greater 
market  than  at  "Waltham  for  Cattle  which  this  day  seemed  to  throng 
in  the  whole  road.  We  stopped  to  view  the  mills  of  various  con- 
struction &  for  different  uses  in  this  place,  but  none  of  them  were 
in  use  from  the  remarkable  want  of  water.  We  continued  into 
Cambridge,  &  as  this  was  the  day  for  the  Dudleian  Lecture,  we  ar- 
rived just  before  that  Lecture  was  finished.  The  Subject  this  year 
was  Popery,  but  all  the  attempts  to  bring  this  subject  into  view  by 
the  missionaries  did  not  seem  to  have  excited  the  curiosity  of  one 
man  beyond  the  walls,  &  the  trusts  of  the  College.  The  Lecturer 
too,  was  a  man  whose  feelings  were  as  abhorent  of  controversy  as 
any  man's  in  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  Spent  the 
evening  with  Judge  Winthrop,  &  on  the  next  day  we  visited  the 
public  rooms  in  the  College.  The  conversation  is  revived  from  the 
number  of  students,  respecting  another  building  or  Hall  for  the 
Students.  Many  were  obliged  to  quit  the  benefits  of  the  institu- 
tion, from  the  high  expences  of  private  families.  We  found  the 
Library  increasing  &  the  Museum ,  which  has  long  been  an  indiffer- 
ent one,  of  growing  importance.  The  Orrery  by  Mr.  Pope,  the  en- 
gravings, &  the  portraits  of  the  Philosophy  chamber  engage  atten- 
tion, &  the  Apparatus  is  pronounced  the  best  in  America,  but  has 
received  least  since  the  revolution.  The  Ofiices  of  the  College  are 
all  filled,  &  the  Tutors  are  quite  young  men,  from  the  late  invita- 
tions given  to  their  predecessors  for  the  ministry.  We  rode  down 
to  the  Causeway  of  the  new  Bridge,  but  could  not  conveniently  see 
the  progress.  It  is  to  be  passed  this  autumn.  We  passed  from 
Cambridge  through  Medford.  This  Town  has  lost  much  of  the 
eastern  Travelling  by  the  Maiden  Bridge,  which  is  over  the  mouth 
of  its  river,  &  depends  on  a  few  persons  for  its  importance.  The 
projected  canal  from  the  Merrimack  through  Billerica,  W^ilming- 
ton,  &  Woburn  into  the  head  of  this  river,  may  prove  no  injury  to 
it.  We  proceeded  in  the  usual  rout  to  Salem,  &  reached  it  about  5 
P.  M.  on  Thursday  Sept.  4,  1793,  after  an  absence  of  18  days  in 
which  we  rode  419  miles. 

5.  Foand  my  friend  Capt.  Patterson  d3dng,&  wishing  to  see 
me.  I  went  instantly  to  his  House,  &  continued  with  him  all 
night. 

6.  In  the  morning  I  retired  for  a  little  rest,  but  returned,  &  re- 
mained with  him  till  he  expired  at  3  o'clock  P.  M.  after  a  most 
painful  struggle.  This  Gentleman  was  entitled  to  every  attention. 
He  possessed  good  natural  abilities,  &  the  improvement  of  them  to 
the  full  extent  of  his  profession.  He  was  upright,  frank,  just  in 
his  remarks,  &  able  to  give  them  the  importance  he  wished  on  all 
occasions.     Silent  when  others   loved   the    conversation  best,  but 


62  DIARY  OP  [Sept. 

ready,  wlieu  others  wished  him  to  reply.  Entring  easily  into  char- 
acters of  men,  &  with  great  self  command,  when  adapting  himself" 
to  them.  He  was  faithful  to  every  Trust.  Most  indulgent  in 
every  domestic  relation,  preserving  equal  spirits,  &  was  an  example- 
of  entire  resignation  in  death. 

7.  Recruiting  after  the  journey,  &  the  loss  of  my  good  friend  C. 
Patterson.  Was  happy  in  finding  no  death  in  my  absence,  &  gen- 
eral tranquility. 

8.  Sunday.  Cap^  Patterson  was  buried  this  day,  &  his  funeral 
attended  by  the  Marine  society  in  form,  &  by  the  usual  concourse 
of  Sunday  evening.  Notes.  Lydia  Smith,  delivery,  recovery  from 
dangerous  sickness,  Husband  &  Brethern  at  Sea. 

9.  In  the  morning  began  a  fine  rain,  which  continued  the  whole 
day,  and  is  the  only  refreshing  rain  which  we  have  enjoyed  for 
the  whole  season.  A  remarkable  Pond  in  Northfields  was  left  dry 
&  the  eels  taken  out  of  the  place  by  hand.  The  water  was  never 
before  known  to  have  left  this  spot.  The  upper  Cistern  lately  dug 
in  this  Town  was  entirely  dry.  The  ponds  on  the  common  dry,  & 
at  Marblehead  water  was  carted  from  the  farms  into  Town  &  sold. 

11.  This  day  the  part  of  the  Estate  of  John  White  which  lays 
near  Derby's  Wharf,  was  sold  at  public  Auction.  There  were 
several  bidders,  &  it  sold  in  Lots  at  nearly  double  the  appraise- 
ment. ]\F  Derby  purchased  the  eastern  Store  adjoining  to  his  own 
Wharf  at  290£,  &  Cap'  Jo:  White  the  western  at  310£.  The 
House  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  way  between  Crowuinshield  & 
Derby,  Derby  purchased  at  about  200£. 

13.  Brown  on  the  Common  is  selling  off  his  House  &  real  es- 
tate in  Town,  to  go  to  a  farm  he  has  purchased  in  Andover,  One  of 
your  unaccountables.  Brown's  Store  is  contracted  for  at  500£  but 
at  long  payments.     The  rise  of  real  estate  is  visible. 

14.  The  Meeting  House  repaired  in  the  clapboards  of  the  Tower, 
&  Weather  board  on  the  eves.  A  man,  by  name,  Elisha  Sylves- 
ter, Avith  a  recommendation  from  the  Selectmen  of  Greene,  came  to 
borrow  &  beg  Pamphlets,  &c.  for  the  use  of  the  Town,  &c.  I  gave 
him  a  load  of  Books  useless  to  me,  with  a  large  collection  of  ser- 
mons, &  tracts,  a  bushel  full.  He  calls  himself  a  School  Master. 
Greene  is  in  the  district  of  Maine,  &  County  of  Lincoln. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mehitable  Patterson,  d.  of  her  husband 
&  son  at  Sea,  with  her  Mother,  D.  in  Law,  &  children.  Robert 
Smith  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother  Patterson.  Hannah  Malcom,  d.  of 
a  G.  Child  in  district  of  Maine,  &  husband  &  sons  at  Sea.  Robert 
Voorhoes  &  wife,  d.  of  their  child.  Evening  service  changed  to  the 
old  time  of  2  o'clock, 

16.  The  inhabitants  bounding  upon  the  Common,  are  inclosing 
the  land  leading  towards  the  neck,  leaving  only  a  50  feet  way. 
Briggs  has  contracted  for  Brown's  house  on  the  Common  and  the 
out  buildings  &  land  adjoining  at  420£. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  63 

19.  The  great  Ship*  is  at  the  first  pier  lately  built,  for  repairs  & 
for  another  voyage. 

20.  The  affairs  of  the  Hospital  have  again  fallen  into  the  hands 
of  a  committee,  &  some  threats  of  an  incorporation  of  the  proprie- 
tors are  issued.  The  Cistern  at  the  corner  of  the  Common  is  about 
14  feet.  &  no  thought  of  going  deeper.     Opinions  differ  about  it. 

21.  AVe  begin  seriously  to  think  of  an  Indian  War,  as  the  States 
will  not  agree  to  relinquish  their  Ohio  Lands. 

22.  Sunday.  Margaret  Allen,  d.  of  her  sister  in  Carolina,  Hus- 
band &  Sons  at  Sea. 

23.  Saw  letters  in  Answer  to  D^  Logan's  last  letters  from  his 
Wife.  The  first  are  in  answer  to  the  high  spirits  of  the  Doctors,  & 
the  last  to  his  solitary  &  dejected  hours.  In  the  first  he  recommends 
in  the  strongest  terms  the  friendship  he  had  received,  in  the  last  it 
seems  complains  that  he  was  much  alone.  I  am  sorry  that  an  ab- 
sence of  three  days  justifies  the  charge,  but  had  I  imagined  that  I 
had  not  opened  a  large  acquaintance  for  the  Doctor,  I  would  not 
have  suffered  it.  We  should  not  leave  for  others  what  we  can  do 
by  ourselves.  This  evening  the  Town  Cryer  sounded  the  alarm  that 
a  Vessel  had  arrived  in  Xantasket  road,  &  that  the  Sailors  had  at- 
tempted a  landing.     This  was  a   most   indiscreet  communication. 

25.  We  had  our  military  review  this  day.  The  Eegiment  under 
arms  in  companies,  &  in  the  afternoon  together  on  the  Common. 
This  is  a  preparation  for  the  intended  Brigade  Muster  in  Danvers 
on  the  ninth  of  next  month.  Xo  entertainment.  A  Gazette  is  es- 
tablished in  Haverhill  in  this  County,  on  Merrimack. 

26.  In  consequence  of  the  Fasts  in  New  York  &  Boston,  I  pro- 
posed a  similar  observance  in  this  Town.t  The  Selectmen  were  un- 
able to  act,  &  were  advised  to  address  the  Clergy  for  an  opinion. 
As  in  a  former  instance  they  complained  of  neglect,  on  this  occa- 
sion it  might  be  seen  how  they  would  act  in  concert.  The  result 
was  that  Boston  &  2s  ew  York  were  found  to  be  capitals  of  the  re- 
spective states,  but  that  we  who  carried  on  a  large  share  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia Trade  must  omit  the  usual  ceremonies,  till  either  Govern- 
ment warned  a  Fast,  or  the  danger  became  more  eminent.  The  point 
deserving  attention  is.  not  the  want  of  superstition  enough  to  do 
any  thing,  but  the  little  interests  which  prevent  acting  together. 
Hereafter  a  man  may  hold  himself  free  to  act  his  own  will.  The 
fast  in  Boston  is  on  the  present  day.  This  evening  the  Widow  Ran- 
dolph t  was  married  to  M'  S.  Very,  after  several  addresses  which 
have  been  made  to  her,  quite  unworthy  of  her, 

28.  The  assassination  of  Marat  by  a  Female,  &  her  intrepid  con- 
duct excites  the  public  attention,  with  different  opinions.  Our  news 
from  Philadelphia  is  not  very  encouraging,  but  it  yet  continues  to 

•The  Ship  Grand  Turk? 

tOn  accoant  of  yellow  feTcr  then  raging  in  PhiladelpbiA. 

(Ran  tool. 


64  DIARY    OF  [Oct. 

be  without  particulars.     The  Physicians  are  not  agreed  about  the 
manner  of  treating  the  fever. 

29.  Sunday.  The  influenza  about,  &  many  complaining.  No 
Notes  in  our  assembly,  &  the  general  appearances  of  health.  This 
day  compleats  the  tenth  year  of  my  ministry,  &  furnished  the  sub- 
ject for  the  day. 

30.  Military  Company  at  Beverley  under  arms.  Mr.  Herrick 
with  me,  who  has  begun  to  preach. 

Oct.  3.  [1793]  This  day  Bates'  House  was  sold  by  public  vendue 
to  Mosely*  for  370£.  A  very  general  cold  among  the  people  to 
which  I  also  am  subject.  It  assumes  the  modern  name  "  influenza," 
but  is  nothing  new  in  the  thing. 

4.  The  Clergy  of  this  Town  have  had  a  meeting  to  reconsider  their 
former  resolve  relative  to  a  fast,  &  have  appointed  as  their  fast  on 
the  present  alarming  state  of  Philadelphia,  Sunday  afternoon  after 
dinner,  as  most  agreing  with  the  established  modes  of  worship.  I 
am  notified  of  the  matter,  being  at  too  great  distance  to  have  been 
consvilted. 

5.  Had  the  first  fire  in  the  study  yesterday  evening  from  the  state 
of  the  influenza,  which  seized  me  with  a  sudden  shaking,  a  cough 
which  affected  the  head.  I  took  sagef  before  I  entered  the  warm 
bed,  &  was  relieved,  so  as  not  to  be  confined  one  day. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Edw :  Gibaut  &  Wife,  her  dangerously 
sick  &  only  son  absent.  Lydia  Masury,  delivery  &  husband  at  Sea. 
Benj^  Webb  &  Wife,  delivery  &  brethren  at  Sea.  This  afternoon 
agreably  to  a  notification  a  discourse  was  delivered  on  the  subject 
of  the  distressing  sickness  at  Philadelphia. 

7.  M''  Freeman  has  published  his  remarks  upon  Morse's  Univ. 
Geog.  which  expose  that  Geographer  so  fully  to  the  world,  as  to  lay 
his  geographising  abilities  under  suspicion,  &  perhaps  they  in 
future  will  be  in  little  demand.  The  influenza  is  about  among  the 
people.  Few  escape.  Everywhere  the  people  are  coughing  &  com- 
plaining. The  Small  Pox  has  broken  out  in  Newbury,  &  in  the 
Port  seven  persons  were  under  it  last  Saturday.  The  Alarm  from 
Philadelphia  makes  us  forget  this  once  terrible  calamity. 

8.  Extract  from  a  Letter  to  Rev"^  J.  Clarke  from  Hon.  T. 
Pickering  of  Philadelphia,  dated  Oct.  1. 

"Nothing  is  more  difficult  than  to  discribe  the  present  state  of 
the  city.  A  few  days  of  cold  weather  seemed  to  check  the  disor- 
der, &  on  the  return  of  warm  weather,  the  deaths  are  again  multi- 
plied. Probably,  in  the  whole,  full  15,000  have  died."  He  repre- 
sented that  there  has  been  want  of  proper  attendance,  &  fatally  er- 
roneous treatment  by  the  Physicians.  Stephen  &  Kuhn  pronounced 
it  a  disease  of  debility  &  putrefaction.  Rush,  since  the  weather 
has  grown  cool,  has  found  it  necessary  to  bleed  before  he  gave  his 

*Capt.  Josevih  Moscley, 
tSage  tea. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  65 

purge  of  calomel  &  Jalap.  The  regimen  recommended  to  the  well, 
is  uncommon  temperance  not  incurring  debility.  "  We  eat,"  says 
he,  "  largely  of  bread,  &  vegetables,  little  or  no  butter,  but  molasses 
&  honey  instead  of  it.  Tea,  coffee,  &  chocolate,  barley  soup,  &  very 
little  meat,  no  wiue,  but  porter  much  diluted  with  water."  Keep 
the  body  gently  open.  Castor  Oil,  found  most  convenient  taken 
about  once  a  week.  "The  exercise  of  fresh  air  of  the  country  I 
have  found  uniformly  as  beneficial,  as  grateful."  He  recommends 
for  the  special  benefit  of  the  poor  to  have  discreet  persons  appoint- 
ed to  visit  in  every  ward.  Of  himself,  temperate  diet,  &  gentle 
purging  were  sufficient  to  remove  what  he  supposed  his  symptoms." 

This  day  in  Boston  is  to  be  signalized  by  the  first  appearance  of 
a  regiment  of  Militia  in  a  uniform.  We  expect  to  hear  great  things. 
We  are  ourselves  employed  in  thinking  of  the  Brigade  review  under 
B.  General  Abbot  on  Danvers  plains  on  the  morrow.  Four  regi- 
ments are  to  be  present,  including  the  regiment  of  this  Town. 
There  is  an  invective  in  the  Gazette  against  the  Militia  Law  as  aris- 
tocratical,  because  of  the  characters  exempted  from  duty.  We  might 
rather  suppose  the  writer  an  aristocrat  who  was  determined  to  dis- 
solve the  militia,  &  provide  different  resources.  Our  french  Instruct- 
or, M""  Jordie,  appears  in  the  print  to  vindicate  his  reputation  in 
forcibly  carrying  away  a  receipt  with  a  greater  sum  specified  than 
he  had  paid.  He  tells  us  the  man  was  a  greedy  tvorshipper  of  Plu- 
tus,  that  like  a  canker  worm  blasted  his  reputation,  &  that  he  was 
unwilling  to  enter  the  field  of  Themis  with  his  antagonist,  &c.  So 
much  for  the  silly  German,  Our  accounts  from  the  West  Indies 
are  so  wrought  up  with  the  prejudices  of  the  Absentees  who  are 
among  us,  that  we  can  place  very  little  confidence  in  the  represen- 
tations. It  appears  that  there  is  a  most  licentious  use  of  the  au- 
thority of  parties  at  war  in  privateering.  The  distresses  to  lawful 
commerce  are  real,  &  call  loudly  for  redress.  This  day  departed 
this  life  his  Excellency  John  Hancock,  Esq"",  who  has  so  long  been 
the  object  of  the  public  confidence,  &  whose  political  career  has  been 
marked  with  the  least  inconsistencies  belonging  to  so  trying  a  sit- 
uation. Great  preparations  were  made  for  the  military  parade  of 
the  day,  but  the  whole  laid  aside  upon  this  event.  This  evening 
died  M"  Sarah  Gibaut,*  who  has  been  my  unwearied  benefactor. 
Under  whose  care  all  my  linnen,  cloaths,  &  little  arrangements 
have  been  conducted.  Who  honoured  me  with  every  confidence  in 
family  visits,  &  endeared  herself  by  a  uniform  regard  to  my  inter- 
est. She  has  died  a  victim  to  the  tender  feelings  of  a  mother  to 
her  only  Son  absent.  Upon  the  news  of  his  detention  in  Pegu,  she 
lost  the  use  of  her  speech,  so  as  never  to  articulate  clearly  &  from 
convulsive  stage  to  stage,  she  has  hastened  to  dissolution. 

9.     The  designed  parade  day  of  the  first  Military  Brigade  in  Es- 
sex.    Marblehead  &  Cape  Ann  were  excused  from  the  absence  of 

•Daughter  of  John  and  Anstiss  (W^illiams)  Crowninstaield. 


66  DIAKY  OF  [Oct. 

their  fishermen.  Manchester  did  not  send  more  than  14  men  in  a 
company.  The  whole  number  of  the  four  regiments  it  is  said 
amounted  to  824  rank,  &  tile.  Col.  Lovejoy  told  me  that  his  Ando- 
ver  regiment  at  a  late  regimental  review  produced  900  rank  & 
tile.  So  the  Law  of  exemption  of  Seamen  &  others,  &c.  operates 
in  the  several  places  respectively.  The  order  of  the  line  was, 
Ipswich  horse  on  the  right,  Andover  horse,  Salem  Cadets,  Salem 
Artillery,  Danvers  Artillery,  Salem  regiment,  Lynn,  Danvers  & 
Beverly  Regiments.  The  whole  was  reviewed  in  the  morning  by 
Major  General  Fisk,  &  under  the  Command  of  Brigadier  General 
Abbot.  A  Collation  was  provided  in  the  tield,  of  which  the  Officers 
&  such  gentlemen  of  the  Clergy  as  were  present  partook  standing, 
&  with  their  own  knives.  Afterwards  there  was  a  military  exhibi- 
tion of  an  engagement,  the  usual  tiring,  &  a  dismission  an  hour  be- 
fore sun  down.  No  accident  interrupted.  After  the  disbanding, 
scattering  firing  was  heard,  &  suspected  from  our  Salem  culprits. 
Col.  of  Beverley  shew  a  proper  resentment.  I  had  the  honour  of 
accompanying  the  families  of  the  Generals  to  the  parade,  &  return- 
ing with  them.  The  parade  was  in  the  field  bounding  on  Topsfield 
road  westward,  &  on  the  road  to  Beverly  southerly,  opposite  to  Col. 
Page's.  The  concourse  was  unusually  great,  &  the  day  remarkably 
fine.  A  general  satisfaction  was  expressed,  &  all  disputes  prevent- 
ed. The  Soldiers  retired  with  much  good  humour,  &  the  Officers 
associated  with  confidence.  It  was  proposed  to  assign  some  badges 
of  mourning.  But  from  the  want  as  yet  of  funeral  ceremonies,  & 
official  notice  from  the  Government  to  the  Generals,  &  from  them 
to  the  Officers  before  their  departure  from  home,  a  partial  respect 
was  rejected. 

11.  Attended  three  funerals.  One  of  a  daughter  of  one  Wood- 
berry  of  Beverley,  who  travelled  on  foot  to  &  from  the  parade  at 
Danvers  last  Wednesday,  died  of  the  Quincy  next  day,  &  was  bur- 
ied this  day.  M"^  M^Keen  of  Beverley  was  absent  on  the  death 
of  his  father  who  died  suddenly.  M"  Landers,  whose  minister  M'^ 
Price  was  absent,  &  M"  Gibaut's.  Master  Lang  lost  a  daughter 
suddenly  by  a  fever  this  day. 

12.  The  Funeral  Ceremonies  of  his  Excellency  are  to  be  on  a 
large  scale.  The  Uniform  Troops  &  Cavalry  of  the  vicinity  [and] 
the  military  Officers  are  to  attend.  The  Town  of  Boston  have  voted 
to  shut  up  all  places  of  Business  during  the  hours  of  procession,  to 
toll  all  their  Bells,  &  shew  every  respect.  The  whole  arrangements 
are  not  communicated. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Edw.  Gibaut,  d.  of  his  Wife,  &  only  Son 
&  child  absent  at  sea,  Mary  Elkins,  d.  of  Sister  Gibaut  &  only  Son 
at  Sea.  Joseph  Lambert  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Brother,  and  Brethren 
at  Sea.  Lydia  Hodges,  delivery,  Husband  and  friends  at  Sea. 
Joshua  French  &  Wife,  her  delivery.  Besides  attention  to 
my  good  friend,  M"   Gibaut,  I  took  liberty  to  notice  the  death  of 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  67 

the  Governour  of  this  Commouwealth,  with  such  review  of  his 
character,  honours  &  administration  as  I  thought  deserved  by  his 
great  services  to  the  state  &  mankind. 

14.  Governour  buried  this  day.  Procession  published.  Our 
Flag  hoisted  half  mast  at  the  Fort  on  Winter  Island.  M''  Walter 
Palfrey  buried  this  day,  has  for  these  ten  years  led  a  life  of  entire 
indolence.  After  the  death  of  Capt.  Jo  Hodges,  he  retired  to  his 
house,  has  gradually  debilitated,  at  length  became  bedridden,  &  had 
received  hardly  any  sustenance  in  the  last  weeks  of  life.  His  legs 
were  drawn  up,  so  as  not  to  be  straitened.  His  daughter  married 
to  a  Richardson  has  discharged  every  duty  to  him.  The  military 
officers  set  off  this  morning  for  Boston,  &  the  highest  encomiums 
are  not  thought  too  great  for  the  deceased  governour,  even  from 
some  of  his  former  opponents. 

15.  The  day  being  appointed  at  length  for  the  perambulation  or 
travelling  survey  of  the  Town  of  Salem  we  agreed  to  meet  the 
Committee  &  Selectmen  of  Danvers,  &  set  out  at  9  o'clock.  M"^ 
Ward,  Capt.  Saunderson,  M"^  Norris,  &  Major  Waldo  on  our  part, 
&  we  were  joined  in  Danvers  by  Col.  Foster  as  one  of  the  Select- 
men, &  two  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee.  We  first  went  up  Bos- 
ton road  &  returned  &  dined  at  Frye's,  &  then  passed  through 
Northfield  to  the  River.  But  as  the  reckoning  &  course  begins 
Avhere  we  ended,  the  account  may  proceed  in  the  same  order.  We 
did  not  satisfy  ourselves  precisely  of  the  point  on  Peter's  point 
where  our  reckoning  began  in  the  Thatch  bank,  but  took  the  direct 
line  from  out  last  landmark,  leaving  no  landmark  on  the  bank. 
We  found  at  18  Poles  from  the  bank,  the  stones  lying  five  feet 
from  the  stump  of  a  red  oak  tree,  westward  towards  the  Mills, 
which  was  the  Course  not  set  off  by  Compass.  We  added  a  stake, 
&  marked  a  tree  7  feet,  S.  D.  We  continued  42  poles  the  same 
course  into  the  field,  which  had  been  ploughed  the  former  season,  & 
found  not  the  stake  &  stones,  but  put  them  in  the  range.  We  then 
continued  to  the  third  stake  &  stones,  found  it  near  the  edge  of  the 
rising  ground  in  a  thicket  39  poles  from  the  former.  We  then  con- 
tinued to  the  fourth  stones  &  stakes,  found  the  stones,  41  poles, 
not  far  from  the  w^all  on  the  west  side,  added  a  stake,  &  proceeded 
to  the  top  of  the  hill,  &  found  the  Tree,  40  poles,  of  black  oak  upon 
the  nole,  marked  S.  D.  &  renewed  the  march,  &  heaped  stones 
around  the  Tree  as  the  fifth  mark.  We  then  crossed  the  Road  from 
Salem  to  New  Mills,  at  one  miles  distance  from  North  Bridge. 
Just  beyond  the  road  on  the  opposite  side  we  found  the  sixth  land- 
mark, a  heap  of  stones  to  which  we  added  a  stake,  40  poles.  We 
then  proceeded  to  the  seventh  landmark  ascending  a  nole,  &  not  far 
from  the  wall,  40  poles.  Here  we  were  uncertain  till  we  ranged, 
found  the  stones  &  added  a  stake.  We  then  made  our  eighth  land- 
mark after  30  poles  to  the  stones,  to  which  we  added  a  stake,  & 
then  our  ninth  to  a  conspicuous  tree  of  red  oak,  marked  S.  D.  with- 


68  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

in  one  foot  of  the  wall.  We  then  found  our  tenth  with  stones  to  which 
we  added  a  stake  at  40  poles,  &  our  eleventh  on  the  Hill  in  view  of 
the  Mills  at  40  poles,  leaving  the  Mills  at  52  poles  distance  our  line 
passing  to  the  eastward  of  the  Mills.  We  then  ranged  from  the 
point  eastward  of  the  Mills  to  the  Elm  Tree  standing  in  Boston 
road,  crossed  the  road  at  right  angles  to  the  South  side.  Contin- 
ued as  it  was  said  on  the  south  side  till  we  passed  the  Plains  &  de- 
scended to  the  Bridge  &  Brook,  passed  the  Brook,  Strong  Water, 
continuing  on  the  south  side  of  the  Road  about  4  rods  &  turning  in 
after  passing  the  first  House  in  the  direction  of  old  Boston  road  in 
a  right  line,  till  the  old  Road  comes  into  the  present  road  at  an  an- 
gle in  the  wall,  4  rods  short  of  the  road  leading  to  Salem  called 
Eborn's  lane.  Then  continuing  on  the  same  side  of  the  road  to 
Boston  till  we  reached  the  Brook,  Butts,  then  between  the  bridges 
passed  to  the  north  &  westerly  sides  of  the  road  &  continued  4 
miles  &  half  to  a  Mill  stone  laid  near  the  wall  at  Lynn  bounds,  on 
the  south  side  &  on  the  opposite  side  to  a  flag  stone  laid  again [st] 
the  inner  side  of  the  wall.  We  leave  Brown  pond,  alias  Long  pond 
in  Danvers. 

16.  We  left  Salem  in  ISTewhall's  Coach,  M""  Ward,  Saunderson, 
Waldo  &  Norris,  Selectmen,  to  perambulate  the  bounds  between 
Salem  &  Marblehead.  We  met  Col.  Lee,  &  two  Hoopers  at  Gener- 
al Glover's,  &  passed  to  the  Cove,  where  our  Boimds  begun.  We 
could  find  no  stones  that  were  clearly  defined  to  have  been  laid  as 
landmarks,  from  the  want  of  stakes,  but  as  we  agreed  on  the 
ground,  piled  the  stones  on  the  north  side  of  the  inlet,  for  there  is 
little  winding  of  the  shore,  &  only  a  place  over  which  the  sea 
breaks  into  the  meadows  &  down  which  the  w^aters  of  the  meadow 
pass  as  in  a  hollow.  We  had  no  other  landmark  till  we  came  to 
the  General's,  about  a  mile,  at  an  apple  Tree  in  his  Orchard  several 
feet  beyond  his  house  near  the  stone  wall  within,  as  the  wall  now 
stands  but  which  he  intends  soon  shall  be  without  the  wall  from  a 
new  line  in  which  he  intends  it  shall  run.  The  line  from  the  cor- 
ner of  the  house  is  about  N.  W.  We  found  the  course  from  the 
cove  nearly  W.  to  the  stump  which  is  all  that  remains,  which  was 
marked  M.  As  the  Lynn  Committee  did  not  attend  we  observe 
that  their  line  began  about  4  poles  S.  W.  from  the  Marblehead 
line.  The  gore  must  be  determined  at  the  next  survey.  From  the 
apple  tree  stump  we  returned  on  a  N.  E.  line  to  stones  on  the  north 
side  of  the  way,  about  a  rod  &  1-2  from  the  wall,  &  then  continued 
in  the  same  course  to  stones  not  far  from  the  cross  road  leading  to 
Forest  river,  near  Silver  hole  so  called  on  the  S.  E.  side  of  Legge's 
hill.  We  then  in  the  same  direction  crossed  the  road  to  a  steep  rock 
and  stones  on  the  N.  Side  near  the  rock,  over  the  wall,  &  thence  a 
Line  N.  7  degrees  W.  to  Forrest  river  gave  the  bounds.  We  as- 
certained the  stump  by  the  Testimony  of  (xen.  Glover,  &  M"^  Ven- 
ning who  have  been  at  repeated   perambulations,  particularly  the 


From  painting  in   possession  of  Mrs.   Henry    E.  Waite. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  69 

last  person,  &  the  General  was  on  the  last  in  1788,  &  lived  near. 
What  we  received  respecting  Lynn  bounds,  the  survey  of  which  is 
put  otf  till  next  week  is,  that  running  from  Boston  road,  where  our 
Survey  ended  at  the  Mill  stone,  they  pass  over  a  branch  of  Spring 
Pond  to  stones  at  the  brink  of  the  Hill.  N.  E.  of  Lynn  Spring,  so 
called,  to  a  Large  Rock  partly  in  the  Line  on  to  a  second  Large 
Rock  in  the  divisional  wall  to  a  Maj^le  Tree,  marked,  S.  L.  in  a 
Swamp  with  stones  around  it  2  rods  south  of  the  wall,  on  to  the 
Country  road  from  Marblehead  to  Lynn,  across  the  road  to  stones 
near  the  Avail  on  the  side  of  a  Hill  to  stones  on  the  Hill,  to  a  heap 
of  stones  in  a  pasture,  to  stones  within  6  feet  of  the  old  house  for- 
merly Blaney's  to  the  sea  side,  4  poles  W,  of  mouth  of  the  Brook 
in  the  Cove,  near  Fowle's  on  a  nole  opposite  the  House,  about  half 
way  up  the  N.  side.  We  were  told  by  the  resident  Farmer,  who  had 
long  been  there,  that  Lynn  Line  ran  over  the  chimney  of  Blaney's 
house  over  the  spot  where  we  then  were,  passing  eastward  of  the 
eastermost  outhouse  at  Fowle's  in  a  line  with  the  South  point  of 
Ram  Island.  I  was  astonished  to  find  not  one  admeasurement, 
course  or  distance  in  the  whole  reports.  Vinning  confirmed  these 
declarations.  The  gore  made  from  Glover's  Tree  Stump  to  the 
Cove  &  thence  to  Blaney's  house,  &  from  Stump  to  House  deserves 
to  be  measured. 

The  general  received  us  with  Great  Hospitality,  &  he  communi- 
cated a  projection  of  his  own  which  assisted  my  knowledge  of  this 
part  of  the  country.  He  projects  a  Canal  leading  from  Forrest 
River  into  the  Cove  belonging  to  Salem,  at  which  our  reckoning 
begins.  He  proposes  it  in  the  following  manner,  &  shewed  the 
course  to  me.  A  1/4  of  a  mile  from  Forrest  River  is  Coy's  Pond, 
which  now  communicates  with  the  river,  this  at  the  distance  of 
about  1/6  of  a  mile  communicates  with  deep  pond,  which  is  in  the 
form  of  one  of  the  Hollows  called  dungeons,  not  of  great  circumfer- 
ence &  regular  descent  to  the  center,  where  it  is  28  feet  deep  by 
his  admeasurement.  This  is  near  the  Road  over  which  &  several 
rods  on  each  side  there  is  some  elevation,  but  not  great,  irregular 
or  rocky,  or  obstructed.  Then  there  is  a  small  pond  near  his 
house,  seldom  dry,  which  communicates  with  the  meadows,  &  when 
full  conveys  its  waters  through  the  Orchard,  east  of  Blaney's 
House  into  Salem  Cove,  which  we  have  surveyed,  making  a  Course 
short  of  two  miles.  General  Glover  seemed  to  think  his  house 
without  Salem  Line  in  Marblehead.  But  there  was  no  scruple  in 
my  mind,  as  the  observations  then  stood.  We  rode  to  Lynn,  & 
enquired  the  reasons  of  their  neglect.  Found  means  to  communi- 
cate our  opinions,  &  rode  round  to  Boston  road,  down  to  Frye's 
where  we  dined  yesterday,  &  arrived  at  3  o'clock  at  dinner.  We 
then  rode  home,  hoping  to  provide  stakes  and  stones,  courses  &  dis- 
tances, to  make  our  survey  at  least  at  the  next  time  more  satisfac- 
tory.    We  learn  the  procession  from  our  returning  friends   at  the 


70  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

Governor's  funeral  last  jMonday.  They  were  unabled  to  keep  the 
Lody  &  privately  interred  it  on  Saturday  morning.  The  bells 
tolled  at  sunrise,  the  Shops  were  shut  at  noon.  The  curiosity  of 
the  inhabitants  was  so  great  that  few  were  in  any  other  character 
than  Spectators.  Three  Companies  of  horse  preceeded  in  the  Pro- 
cession, followed  by  the  Artillery,  then  two  Battallions  of  infantry, 
then  by  the  Major  Generals  of  the  three  divisions  &  their  officers, 
&  then  hj  the  officers  of  the  State.  The  Pall  was  supported  by 
six  Councellors,  the  relations  followed,  attended  by  the  Court, 
Members  of  Congress,  Foreign  Ministers,  Literary  Professors, 
Clergy,  &  Citizens,  &  the  antient  &  honorable  Artillery  company  & 
closed  with  the  Carriages.  Minute  Guns  were  tired  at  the  Castle,  & 
answered  from  Beacon  Hill  by  the  Artiller5\  The  whole  was  gen- 
erally approved,  &  pronounced  the  most  solemn,  regular,  splendid  & 
numerous  procession  ever  seen  in  Boston.  A  Monument  is  pro- 
posed. 

17.  It  is  presumed  that  the  gust  of  wind  has  done  damage  in 
the  Bay  last  Tuesday  night.  Particulars  not  yet  known.  From 
the  appearances  evil  is  apprehended  to  our  Coasters  with  lumber. 
M""  F.*  has  appeared  against  Morse's  Geography,  &  the  cause  is 
contested  with  great  party  zeal.  They  who  will  admit  the  justice 
of  M'  F's  remarks,  will  not  so  readily  agree  to  justify  the  manner 
of  them.  All  love  to  see  pride  debased,  but  confess  the  Taste  dif- 
ficult to  ingenuous  virtue.  M""  Pickering  who  wrote  with  so  much 
confidence  in  the  success  of  Rush's  Method,  has  had  occasion  to  al- 
ter his  language  having  since  lost  a  young  son  by  the  Fever. 

18.  Having  proposed  an  exchange  with  M^'  Bancroftf  of  Wor- 
cester, I  left  Salem  this  Morning  in  the  Salem  Stage  for  Boston. 
In  the  evening  I  attended  the  Lecture  of  M"^  Eliot,  &  for  the  con- 
venience of  my  journey  in  the  Worcester  Stage  next  morning,  I 
lodged  at  the  sign  of  the  White  Horse,  southend.  There  are  three 
stages  which  run  this  distance,  but  only  one  on  Saturday.  The 
Mail  has  for  a  passage  16  */  &  takes  only  four  passengers.  There 
is  a  dispute  between  Peese  of  Boston  &  Patch  of  Worcester  for  the 
Common  Stage,  &  the  first  asks  12^/  &  the  last  9*/-  We  had  a 
cheap  conveyance,  but  the  Horses  were  not  of  the  first  quality. 

19.  We  left  Boston  after  6,  &  reached  Flagg's  in  Weston  for 
Breakfast  at  9  o'clock.  We  shifted  horses  in  East  Sudbury  beyond 
the  Causeway,  &  dined  at  Mnnro's  in  Northborough.  At  five  we 
reached  Worcester,  before  sundown.  We  had  agreable  com- 
pany. We  saw  the  long  Worcester  pond,  which  is  narrow  in  our 
view  from  the  road,  but  widens  beyond,  &  is  5  miles  long,  extend- 
ing to  Sutton  &  Grafton,  &  near  the  Bridge,  Worcester  &  Shrews- 
bury part.  The  Parish  of  Shrewsbury  back  from  the  road,  is  now 
incorporated  by  the  name  of  Boylston. 

•Rev.  James  Freeman  of  Boston. 

fRev.  Aaron  Bancroft,  D.  D.,  father  of  George  Bancroft,  the  historian. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  71 

20.  Sunday.  We  attended  in  W  Bancroft's  Ncav  Meeting 
House  which  is  small,  but  yet  ample  for  the  present  (.'ongregation. 
They  still  regret  that  it  is  so  small  as  above  60  families  have  ac- 
ceded to  them  since  their  establishment.  The  audience  engaged 
respect,  their  music  was  good,  &  their  numbers  increased  in  the 
evening  service.  A  drunken  fellow  in  the  gallery  gave  us  some  in- 
terruption. I  dined  with  M''  l^angs,  Attorney,  ray  classmate,  & 
drank  Tea  with  him.  Spent  an  hour  with  Thomas,  the  celebrated 
Printer  who  is  not  pleased  that  MT  F.  should  check  the  sale  of 
Morse's  Geography  when  the  copyright  was  entirely  in  his  own 
hands,  &  when  the  supposed  cause  of  offence,  Morse's  reflections  on 
an  altered  copy  of  Watts'  Cradle  hymns,  made  him  also  a  sufferer. 
In  religious  affairs  there  has  been  much  bigotry  shewn  in  this 
Town.  The  majority  of  property  tho'  not  of  numbers  is  with  M"^ 
Bancroft.  This  is  conceded  by  an  offer  from  the  numbers  to  di- 
vide the  Taxes,  &  assess  together.  M""  Bancroft's  rival  is  a  Mr. 
Austin,  once  settled  at  New  Haven.  M"^  B.  proposed  to  join  the 
Association  in  this  Neighbourhood.  M""  Austin  made  the  same  pro- 
posal, without  knowing  M''  B's  intentions.  M"^  A.  was  received 
without  hesitation,  &  M''  B.  received  no  answer.  M""  B.  wrote  to 
the  body,  &  the  result  was  that  M''  A.  would  not  even  associate  with, 
such  members  as  had  admitted  M"^  B.  into  their  pulpit.  A  Seces- 
sion has  taken  place  &  M''  B.  proposes  with  M'  Sumner  of  Shrews- 
bury, the  lately  ordained  M""  Thayer  of  Lancester.  M""  Avery  of 
Holden,  &  the  minister  at  Rutland  to  form  a  New  Association.  The 
occasion  will  assist  his  liberal  sentiments.  M'  Sever  the  Attorney, 
B.  in  law  to  M''  Bancroft,  was  very  attentive  to  me.  M''  Allen,  & 
M'  Chandler  with  my  other  friends,  spent  the  evening  with  me  at 
the  parson's. 

21.  Rose  at  six,  &  before  seven  left  Worcester  in  the  same 
stage  in  which  I  went  up  but  with  an  entirely  new  company.  We 
breakfasted  where  we  dined,  going  up,  &  dined,  where  we  break- 
fasted. We  had  great  detention  at  dinner,  continued  our  rout 
through  Cambridge,  but  Salem  Stage  had  passed  on.  I  met  on  the 
Bridge  my  neighbour  Manning,  who  gave  me  a  seat  in  his  chaise,  & 
at  9  I  reached  Salem.  The  whole  distance  between  60  &  70  miles, 
probably  66  miles. 

23.  A  Trunk  has  reached  the  shore  from  the  suffering  Vessels 
in  the  Bay,  which  from  its  marks  renders  the  fate  of  John  Gardi- 
ner, Esq""  of  Pownalborough  suspicious. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  Widow  Mary  Lambert,  d.  of  her  G.  Child 
Welcome.  Joseph  Lambert  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Sister  Welcome,  & 
Brethren  at  Sea.  Moses  Townsend  &  Wife,  thanks  for  his  return 
from  Sea  &  d.  of  her  Sister  Welcome.  Elizabeth  Millet,  d.  of  her 
Brother,  &  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Sarah  Millett,  her  delivery,  Husband 
&  Brother  at  Sea.     Amos  LeFavre  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

28.  They  are  alarmed  in  the  southern   states   by  the  too  free 


72  DIAKY   OP  [Nov. 

admission  of  Mulattoes  &  Free  negroes  from  the  West  Indies,  & 
have  taken  precautions  in  S.  Cai'olina,  Charlestown,  to  prevent  the 
most  distressing  consequences.  The  Hull  of  the  Vessel  lost  in  our 
Bay  is  now  within  the  harbour,  but  it  has  not  yet  been  turned  up. 
The  Keel  lays  out  of  water. 

29.  The  first  Snow  &  a  perfect  Snow  Storm  which  continued  all 
day. 

30.  The  District  of  Maine  are  making  new  motions  towards  be- 
ing a  distinct  State  at  the  revision  in  1795.  Our  Actors  for  the 
theatre  have  arrived  at  Boston  &  a  gold  medal  is  offered  for  the 
best  prologue  at  the  opening  of  the  Theatre  in  December  next. 

31.  The  Town  have  kept  a  man  at  the  fort  to  hale  all  Vessels 
entring,  &  to  enquire  whether  any  passengers  from  Boston. 

Nov"^  1.  [1793]  Snow  gone.  Threatening  weather  which 
clears  off.  Our  Vessels  which  arrive  speak  well  of  the  armed 
Vessels  of  the  King  of  England,  but  with  the  highest  resent- 
ment of  the  Providence  privateers.  Mates,  second  in  command 
for  East  India  voyages  are  not  to  be  obtained,  from  our  little 
experience  in  those  seas. 

2.  A  remarkable  preservation  from  fire.  The  bells  rang  at  day- 
break, but  few  could  find  where  the  fire  was.  The  greatest  uncer- 
tainty prevailed.  At  length  it  was  found  that  the  buildings  of  M' 
Nath :  Richardson  had  been  on  fire.  The  Ashes  Hole  had  been 
opened  at  the  bottom,  &  not  stopped  again.  The  fire  ran  up  to  the 
floor,  &  thence  spread  over  the  whole  apartments  in  a  large  Store 
adjoining  to  the  House.  It  was  discovered  by  a  Stranger,  who 
lodged  at  the  house,  &  who  rose  very  early  to  go  ou  his  journey.  A 
few  minutes  more  would  probably  have  rendered  it  impossible  to 
have  saved  a  very  large  interest.  This  day  they  succeeded  after 
many  attempts  to  turn  up  the  Schooner  which  was  upset  in  the  Bay 
last  Tuesday  fortnight.  They  found  a  great  inconvenience  in  a 
purchase  on  one  side,  &  obtained  assistance  from  a  Ship  on  the 
other  to  keep  her  from  raking.  They  found  her  an  excellent  &  new 
vessel  24  feet  beam,  64  keel,  &  7  feet  hold,  for  coasting.  Her 
masts  were  broken  after  she  came  to  touch  the  bottom,  the  fore- 
mast near  the  deck  &  the  mainmast  ten  feet.  Her  Jib  was  loose, 
her  mainsail  down  &  boom  broken,  foresail  up. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  Lydia  Phippen  &  children,  d.  of  her  hus- 
band abroad.  Lydia  Palfrey  &  children,  d.  of  their  Son  &  of  their 
G.  Father. 

4.  The  wreck  at  the  wharf.  70£  found  on  board  in  cash.  M' 
Gardner's  chest  containing  papers,  books,  cloathes,  &c.  A  few 
women's  cloathes. 

6.  The  Sickness  in  the  West  Indies  has  deprived  us  of  two 
young  men,  M'  Phippen  who  had  left  a  destitute  family,  &  M' 
Peele  who  has  left  a  young  woman  with  child,  waiting  &  needing 
his  support.     I  have  had  the  business  of  preserving  the  papers  be- 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  73 

longing  to  the  late,  well  known  Gardner,  which  were  found  with 
Schoner  Lucey  from  the  Eastward,  &  taken  out  last  Saturday.  M' 
Gardner  had  the  best  education  abroad,  &  was  distinguished  by 
some  traits  of  merit,  as  he  was  by  his  numerous  singularities.  He 
has  published  an  oration  upon  Independance,  a  Treatise  upon  the 
Theatre,  &  some  poetic  effusions,  particularly  the  Widowed  mourn- 
er. They  Consist  of  a  solid  Poem  de  Jure  divino,  two  copies  of 
his  Speech,  &c.  upon  the  Theatre,  one  of  them  corrected  with  addi- 
tional notes,  directed  to  the  Library  at  Cambridge,  but  written 
above,  "  once  so  intended,"  four  copies  of  his  Widowed  Mourner,  4 
parchment  deeds,  &  other  deeds  &  papers.  We  had  very  plentiful 
rain  for  our  Market  day,  which  was  not  plentiful,  particularly  in 
poultry,  as  this  is  three  weeks  earlier  than  our  customary  thanks- 
giving. 

7.  Day  of  Thanksgiving.  In  the  morning  M""  Derby  sent  a 
note  inclosiug  30  dollars  in  bank  bills  for  the  poor,  in  the  public 
contribution.  God  bless  the  Poor  man's  Friend.  The  Contribution 
of  the  day,  including  M"^  Derby's  generous  Act,  amounted  to  26£ 
19.  3.  including  also  four  dollars  from  the  Common  Rights  present- 
ed by  the  Proprietors,  &c.     Assembly  thin,  singing  ordinary,  &c. 

8.  AVe  finished  our  Perambulation,  taking  M""  Derby,  Ward, 
Saunderson  on  the  part  of  Salem,  &  Messieurs  Breed,  &  Hawkes  on 
the  part  of  Lynn.  We  began  at  the  Cove,  at  a  Pile  of  Stones  as 
described  Wedn.  Oct.  16.  We  found  the  Stones  west  from  the 
stagnant  water  above  the  Beach  &  so  far  in  to  avoid  being  covered, 
or  removed  by  the  Storms.  We  conjectured  at  the  line  from  the 
Nole  opposite  [Fowle's  house],  a  little  north  of  his  out  house, 
ranging  over  southern  part  of  Ram  Island  in  the  saddle  of  the  out- 
er rocks,  &  found  the  Chimney  of  Blaney's  house  not  far  from  the 
line  of  Stones,  ranging  6  feet  south  of  that  house.  We  wrote  a  note 
to  be  left  for  Walter  Phillips  tert.  for  removing  the  stones,  which 
was  the  Landmark,  &  passed  to  the  next  hill,  found  the  line  inclin- 
ing southerly,  stones  much  scattered,  &  passed  to  the  heap  of  Stones 
under  the  hill,  then  directly  to  the  Road  &  crossed  at  the  divisional 
fence,  &  traveled  a  mile  before  we  found  the  stump  of  the  Maple 
tree,  2  rods  from  the  wall,  &  well  covered  it  with  Stones.  Then 
continued  till  we  found  the  great  Rock  in  the  divisional  line  &  not 
far  to  the  Second  Rock  partly  in  the  divisional  line,  then  to  the 
Stones  on  the  Hill,  which  is  beyond  the  spring  &  which  projects 
into  the  pond,  &  thence  to  the  road.  This  was  the  first  time  I  had 
ever  seen  Spring  Pond,  which  is  a  beautiful  object,  about  1/2  mile 
from  Salem  road,  abounding  in  small  fish,  &  extending  nearly  north 
&  South  above  half  a  mile,  &  about  a  1/4  wide.  The  Oliver  farm 
extends  3/4  of  the  western  side.  On  the  Southern  side  at  the 
southeast  part  is  the  Spring,  celebrated  for  its  mineral  qualities, 
which  was  very  low,  &  did  not  run,  having  been  much  neglected,  & 
choaked  up  with  dirt,  &  leaves.     Southward  not  many  rods  was  a 


74  DIARY   OF  [Nov. 

small  pond,  called  Shrub  pond,  for  the  bushes  which  did  surround 
it.  It  is  at  present  clear.  Above  the  Spring  is  to  be  seen  the 
Cellar  of  the  house  on  Spring  farm.  The  Chimney  was  built  on 
the  north  side  &  the  Cellars  under  each  end  of  the  house.  The 
Barn  was  nearly  contiguous  to  the  house  northwesterly,  &  ran  west- 
erly. The  pond  in  length  nearly  N.  N.  W.  This  Farm  once  in  re- 
pute is  now  run  out.  It  contains  33  acres,  &  1/3  of  it  was  lately 
sold  for  11£  for  pasturing,  for  its  poverty  &  out  of  the  way  situa- 
tion. Capt.  Derby  told  us  that  his  G.  G.  Mother  was  here  addressed 
by  a  German  Physician  from  Leipsick,  named  Crowninshield,  by 
whom  that  name  was  introduced  into  our  part  of  the  country. 
Spring  Pond  empties  by  the  brook  at  Osgood's  in  Boston  road,  one 
mile  above  Danvers'  lower  meeting  House.  Spring  Pond  is  within 
the  Bounds  of  Salem.  On  the  Southerly  side  the  pond  runs  on  the 
sides  of  two  hills,  &  is  much  indented.  There  is  another  Embay- 
ing on  the  west  side.  The  Body  of  its  waters  are  in  full  view  at 
the  Spring,  &  its  approach  is  good  everywhere.  The  people  of 
Lynn  talk  of  conveying  its  waters  to  their  own  Mills  to  the  detri- 
ment of  the  present  Mills  towards  Danvers,  as  they  claim  so  much 
of  the  pond  as  is  embayed  beyond  the  pile  of  stones  on  the  hill,  & 
running  westward.  We  went  in  Burrill's  Carriage,  &  alighted  at 
Fowle's  &  were  taken  up  again  in  Boston  Eoad,  &  conducted  to 
Frye's,  where  we  dined. 

9.  The  principal  information  &  conversation  of  the  day  is  upon 
the  Treatment  the  Am  :  Vessels  receive  from  the  Powers  at  War. 
Such  accounts  do  not  excite  in  me  the  same  resentment,  since  the 
persons  who  give  them  have  come  within  my  cognisance,  &  the 
nefarious  means  to  cover  property  not  only  from  the  Armed  pow- 
ers, but  from  its  owners. 

17.  Sunday.  Notes.  W™  Peele  &  Wife,  d.  of  youngest  Son, 
&  friends  at  Sea.  Bob.  Peele  &  Wife,  for  him  bound  to  sea,  &  d. 
of  his  brother  W.  Lydia  Peele,  d.  of  a  dear  friend,  the  dec.  young 
man.     Thomas  Williams,  ret.  from  sea,  d.  of  Wife  in  his  absence. 

18.  M'"  Augustine  Lomelliui  exhibited  to  me  his  certificate  from 
A.  B.  of  Genoa,  &  Eng.  Consul  at  that  place  authorising  him  to  get 
subscriptions  for  his  Priends  in  captivity  at  Algiers.  As  the  Sub- 
scription was  slow,  I  took  a  humble  place  on  his  list  by  a  small 
sum  without  a  name.  He  is  a  man  of  few  qualities  to  assist  such 
a  design. 

20.  The  public  are  employed  in  conjectures  respecting  the  oper- 
ation of  the  defeat  of  the  Duke  of  York  upon  the  English  Nation. 
Already  they  see  Ireland  in  Rebellion,  Scotland  reviving  its  antient 
claims,  Canada  united  to  the  States  of  North  America,  &c.  We 
dined  at  Gen.  Fiske's  with  the  Judges,  Gentlemen  of  the  court  & 
clergy,  with  great  conviviality.  The  little  folks  are  divining  how 
Gen.  Washington  will  get  clear  from  Genet. 

21.  The  military  parade  at  Cape  Ann,  which  was  omitted  at  the 


1793]  WILLIAM    HENTLEY,    D.    D.  75 

review  of  the  divisional  troops  on  account  of  tlie  iishernien.  Last 
Tuesda}',  several  military  companies  paraded  at  the  opening  of  the 
new  l^ridge  over  Bothwell  ferry  on  the  Merrimack  between  Ando- 
ver  &  Methuen  in  this  County.  Last  week  was  buried  at  Wind- 
ham, laying  between  Methuen  &  Londonderry,  settled  principally 
by  Irish  emigrants,  &  of  the  presbyterian  church,  M""  Williams, 
their  minister.  He  left  Ireland  young  upon  an  early  amour,  & 
went  to  London  from  whence  he  embarked  for  Jamaica.  &  contin- 
ued a  School  master.  Thence  he  came  to  Philadelphia,  in  the  times 
of  the  zeal  of  Whitefield,  joined  that  sect,  h  was  charitably  assist- 
ed to  obtain  an  education  in  New  Jersies,  &  thence  he  travelled  to 
AVindham,  Avhere  he  died.  The  Elders  declined  a  sermon  at  the 
funeral,  alledging  that  it  was  contrary  to  their  custom.  A  prayer 
was  made  at  the  house,  after  which  a  dram  of  New  England  Rum 
was  regularly  distributed  to  each  person  of  every  age  &  of  each  sex, 
then  another  prayer  &  dram,  &  then  the  funeral  procession. 

22.  The  Court  rose  in  this  Town.  Several  interesting  cases  before 
it.  Three  Thieves  are  sentenced  to  correction  &  the  Castle.  Our 
News  from  France  seems  in  the  public  mind  to  be  encouraging. 
The  alarm  in  regard  to  the  intermixture  of  the  W.  Indies  French 
Negroes  with  the  Southern  Slaves  by  Gov.  Moultrie's  proclamation 
seems  serious, 

25.  St.  Catherine's  day  celebrated  with  uncommon  shew 
&  noise,  guns  firing,  flags  displayed,  &c.  M""  Briggs  is  the  chief 
promoter  of  such  folly.  M''  Vincent  made  no  exhibition  on  the 
occasion. 

28.  The  Day  appointed  for  the  public  correction  of  some  offen- 
ders in  the  Goal.  The  Subjects  were  two  men  &  a  woman.  The 
woman  &  man  were  Irish,  the  young  man.  Smith,  of  this  Town,  for 
Theifts.  The  whole  was  conducted  by  the  Deputy  Sheriffs  with- 
out any  order.  The  prisoners  were  audacious  beyond  example. 
Upon  mounting  the  Gallows  on  which  they  were  to  sit,  through  in- 
toxication one  of  them  fell  off,  &  was  carried  away  senseless.  After 
insulting  the  Spectators,  &  the  most  profane  words  &  indecent  be- 
haviour, the  woman  &  man  were  whipped,  but  the  ladder  was  filled 
with  spectators,  &  the  Sheriff  had  not  room  to  move  his  arm.  The 
whipping  produced  a  few  tears  from  the  Culprits,  or  rather  the 
Cold.  The  whole  was  a  scene  of  unseasonable  mirth  in  which  fools 
below,  &  fools  above  made  a  mock  at  sin.  My  old  chum  Herrick, 
being  about  to  try  his  powers  at  preaching,  has  repeatedly  called  on 
me  for  the  loan  of  six  pounds.  I  tried  to  draw  it  out  of  M''  Ber- 
nard, but  without  success.  I  begged  it  however  of  Capt.  B. 
Hodges,  giving  my  note,  payable  immediately,  &  taking  Herrick's 
to  be  paid,  when  I  can  get  it.     But  let  us  encourage  one  another. 

29.  The  Catamount  was  shewn  again  in  Town,  &  to  draw  cus- 
tom tliere  was  a  Wolf  shewn  by  the  same  person.  My  curiosity  was 
strong  to  see  the  Wolf,  &  I  found  he  corresponded  in  his  appear- 


76  DiABY  OF  [Dec. 

ance  as  nearly  to  my  ideas  formed,  as  I  could  expect.  I  could  get 
no  better  information  than  just  the  sight. 

30.  Several  vessels  freighted  with  French  men  from  the  West 
Indies  have  been  lost  on  our  coast,  or  been  discovered  to  be 
wrecked, 

Dec.  1.  [1793]  Sunday.  Notes.  Lois  Odell,  sick.  After  all 
the  pretended  disquiet,  the  Congregational  Churches  of  this  Town 
have  complied  with  the  rules  of  Private  Baptism.  In  this  affair  we 
ascertain  whether  interest  or  religion  governs. 

2.  Apprehensions  that  the  Small  Pox  is  in  different  parts  of 
our  parish,  taken  from  the  Vessel  lately  arrived  in  Port,  whose 
Crew  was  carried  to  the  Hospital.  The  wife  of  one  of  the  men,  the 
family  of  Joshua  Phippen,  including  Wife  &  several  Children,  the 
first  on  the  common,  the  last  in  the  lower  part  of  the  Town  &  a 
Negro  in  Northfields,  are  conveyed  to  the  Hospital. 

3.  This  evening  our  Lodge  Night  for  the  election  of  Officers. 
Our  good  Master  declined,  &  B.  Pulling  was  elected.  There  were 
several  resignations,  &  all  but  the  right  one.  The  Lodge  meets  on 
S*  John's  for  investiture,  &  have  voted  a  Dinner.  M"^  Prescot,  one 
of  my  pupils,  this  day  made  his  appearance  in  the  usual  way  of 
noticing  a  marriage  by  a  Collation  for  everybody. 

8.  Sunday.  Last  night  Showers,  thunder  &  Lightning.  Notes. 
Joshua  Phippen  for  his  family  under  the  Small  Pox.  Susannah 
Say  ward  for  her  daughter  Dale,  &  g.  children  under  the  Small  Pox. 
Hannah  Peele,  delivery,  Husband  at  Sea.  Thomas  Palfrey  & 
wife,  her  delivery  .  No  Singing  the  whole  day  from  the  insolent 
behaviour  of  the  base  wretch,  who  has  too  long,  had  the  man- 
agement. 

9.  Visited  the  Hospital,  found  all  in  good  way  apparently.  M" 
Dale  loaded.  Phippen's  Son  few  &  well.  Joshua  complaining. 
None  inoculated  have  broken  out.  A  Dane  has  been  this  way  with 
plans  of  curious  machines,  which  he  says  will  turn  70  jennies  by 
one  power,  &  work  many  looms  by  one  Horse.  It  is  reported  that 
the  experiment  has  succeeded  in  Denmark. 

11.  The  New  Militia  law  has  made  some  business  among  us.  There 
has  been  a  contention  upon  the  Article  which  limits  the  number  of 
Soldiers  in  a  company  below  which  no  man  in  said  Ward,  or  com- 
pany can  join  himself  to  any  neighbouring  independant  Corps.  And 
we  are  told  that  on  the  morrow  a  Court  Martial  is  to  set  upon  an 
Officer  who  refused  to  obey  orders. 

12.  Fire  Club  supper  this  evening.  Tho'  we  may  be  subject  to 
many  mortifications  in  such  associations,  yet  they  are  excellent 
Schools,  &  such  as  my  own  mode  of  life  requires.  If  we  do  not 
love  mankind  more,  we  see  them  better,  &  when  we  understand  how 
they  exist,  &  are  governed,  we  are  less  often  deceived  by  trusting 
to  the  sublime  effects,  we  hope,  from  candid  disquisition.  After 
supper  walked  in  company  to  the  Bell. 


1793]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  77 

13.  Found  several  occasions  on  which  I  have  been  taught  to  be 
on  my  guard  against  a  too  free  communication  of  my  opinions  on 
men  &  things.     Doing  well  at  the  Hospital. 

14.  Keports  that  a  late  marriage  between  a  young  widower,  & 
a  widow  &  between  two  sets  of  children,  has  been  up  several  days, 
&  they  have  agreed  to  abstain  for  a  time  by  virtue  of  a  very  strong 
disagreement.  The  President's  address  is  excellent,  &  worthy  of 
his  character.  He  feels  for  the  dignity  of  the  nation  to  which  he 
belongs,  &  urges  to  prepare  to  avenge  the  insults,  which  are  ever 
offered  to  weakness.  In  his  message  he  takes  notice  of  the  conduct 
of  Genet,  the  french  Ambassador.  There  is  a  Mezzotinto  of  the 
President  by  Savage. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Isaac  White  &  Wife,  for  d.  of  her  Brother 
Palfrey.  Thomas  Palfrey  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother.  Mary  Very, 
d.  of  her  Brother  Palfrey,  &  for  husb.  at  Sea. 

17.  Last  night  the  exhibitions  of  the  Players  were  attended  by 
a  great  Miiltitude.  Col.  Mansfield  with  me  to  enquire  respecting 
M"^  Rolfe,  whom  they  wish  to  elect  their  minister  at  Lynn.  Seve- 
ral persons  drowned  from  a  Scough  near  the  Pines.  They  all 
would  have  saved  their  lives,  if  they  could  have  swum  to  the  shore, 
which  was  not  far  distant.  The  Sufferers  were  related  to  several 
members  of  our  Society. 

18.  Astonishing  how  much  mankind  can  enjoy  each  other's 
misery  under  the  pretence  of  pity.  This  applies  to  an  unhappy 
man  under  the  public  censure  for  intemperance,  &  who  has  hereby 
determined  the  fate  of  a  most  worthy  family. 

19.  Study  comfortable  after  10  in  the  morning  without  fire.  No 
snow  upon  the  ground,  &  very  little  ice  to  be  seen.  Reports  that 
Capt.  Spence  Hall  died  in  the  Guinea  Trade.*  He  has  left  a  wife 
&  six  children,  belonging  to  the  english  Church  in  this  Town.  He 
has  been  an  unfortunate  man,  &  thus  sought  "  base  means  for  his 
redress."  The  report  of  last  Saturday  respecting  the  Widow  yet 
in  circulation. 

20.  The  Players  in  this  Town  are  encouraged  by  the  attendance 
of  the  most  wealthy  families.  They  are  now  upon  benefit  nights. 
M^  David  Ropes  died  this  day,  after  a  most  tedious  sickness.  He 
has  been  assisted  by  the  bounty  of  his  friends.  Formerly  a  Car- 
penter, lately  a  Tide  waiter,  he  spent  a  handsome  estate  in  building 
&  setting  houses.  There  are  four  dwelling  houses  built  by  him  in 
this  part  of  the  Town.     Yet  every  person  loved  David. 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Hawkes,  death  of  her  Father  & 
&  Brother  drowned,  deliverance  of  two  Brothers,  &  Mother  in  sick- 
ness.    This  is  the  case  mentioned  December  17. 

23.  All  the  apprehensions  for  the  political  state  of  our  Country, 
which  can  mark  the  most  alarming  fears.  The  Algerines  aretodis- 
troy,  the  Combined  forces  attack,  Commerce  lost,  while  others  care 

'Slave  trade. 


78  DIARY  OF  [Dec. 

little  for  these  things.  In  reviewing  Books  cursorily  find  the  fol- 
lowing Statement  accurate  enough  to  advance  as  the  State  of  our 
Society.  About  233  is  the  whole  number  of  persons  buried,  or 
known  to  have  died  since  1785.  The  number  of  male  heads  of 
families  about  46.  Persons  who  have  died  abroad  38.  Of  this 
number  dying  abroad  11  were  Masters  of  Vessels,  &  27  Mariners, 
and  of  the  number  9  were  drowned,  14  died  of  fevers  on  shore,  8 
were  Shipwrecked,  5  died  with  fevers  on  the  passages,  &  2  were 
shot  by  slaves.  One  of  the  Shipwrecked  vessels  suffered  on  the 
Texel  in  June,  the  other  on  the  Londoner,  Cape  Ann,  in  March.  In 
the  whole  number  of  deaths,  136  males,  &  97  females.  From  a  list 
of  all  masters  of  Vessels  belonging  to  the  Society  &  of  such  Owners 
as  are  known,  the  Statement  stands  for  the  year  1790,  at  44  depar- 
tures, &  45  arrivals,  89, 

25.  Christmas.  Rained  all  day.  The  inspector  of  Police  in 
Boston  has  forbidden  the  "  Anticks,"  as  they  are  called,  by  which 
the  resemblance  of  this  Christian  feast  to  the  Saturnalia  has  been 
so  admirably  maintained.  The  friends  of  the  British  Interest  en- 
deavour to  exculpate  it  from  the  charges  of  having  designedly  let 
loose  the  Algerines  upon  our  Trade.  It  is  pretended  they  might 
have  done  it  long  ago.  But  the  connection  of  these  measures  with 
some  others  pursued  in  regard  to  France  have  a  different  appearance. 

26.  News  that  a  vessel  of  E.  H.  Derby  jun""  &  navigated  by 
Capt.  Ashby  has  been  taken  by  an  English  Privateer,  &  carried  in- 
to St.  Vincent's.  Her  destination  by  written  orders  was  for  Eusta- 
tia.  Verbal  orders  may  have  been  for  Martinico,  &  she  had  a  large 
quantity  of  sail  cloth  on  board. 

27.  Our  Lodge  celebrated  S*  John  Ev.'s  day  in  General  Ab- 
bot's long  Room.  Several  Brothers  in  law  were  invited,  &  Ave  had 
six  visiting  Brethren  both  Americans,  english  &  french.  The  In- 
vestiture was  put  off  by  the  unavoidable  absence  of  our  former  mas- 
ter. We  had  pleasing  conviviality,  in  which  our  English  Brother 
Wait  greatly  assisted.  The  persons  invited  were  at  Brother  Ab- 
bot's selection  &  not  from  the  original  design  of  the  Lodge. 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mansfield  Burrill,  d.  of  his  Brother, 
drowned  at  Lynn.  Andrew  Sleuman  &  Wife,  her  delivery  &  Broth- 
er at  Sea.  Samuel  Silsbee  &  Wife,  her  delivery  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 
The  air  clear  &  mild,  ice  melted  in  the  Street.  This  is  sudden  from 
the  late  severe  cold. 

30.  Weather  like  Spring.  Windows  open,  &  people  of  every 
class  abroad  in  the  Sun  Shine.  The  Gentlemen  of  the  Town  deter- 
mined to  prevent  the  Billiard  Tables  from  the  use  of  the  young 
men.  There  are  three  in  this  Town.  One  at  each  of  the  public 
Houses,  &  one  at  King's,  over  the  New  Office,  where  the  old  Town 
House  stood.  Fear  of  their  Licences  stops  the  Public  Houses  of 
Webb  &  Buffington,  but  W.  K.  is  too  unprincipled  to  be  restrained 
without  some  heavy  threatnings. 


1793]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  79 

31.  A  Captain  taken  by  the  French  from  Guadeloupe  relates 
that  the  treatment  was  not  less  severe  than  Capt.  Ashbey  exper- 
ienced from  the  English  at  S*  Vincent's,  which  M''  Derby  of  this 
Town  has  so  pointedly  represented  from  the  letters  of  the  Captain 
in  the  Centinel.  When  the  sources  of  information  are  near  us  we 
find  so  little  ingenuously  done  to  purify  them,  that  we  find  insensibly 
an  incredulity  as  to  even  common  events.  The  present  yeai'  closes 
with  moderate  weather.  The  ground  is  entirely  free  from  Snow. 
There  has  not  yet  been  enough  for  a  slay  even  for  a  few  hours. 
Monday  &  Tuesday  &  Wednesday  have  been  very  moderate.  The 
Harbour  is  not  frozen.     A  little  broken  ice  about  the  Wharves. 

January  1,  1794.  Put  thy  hand  upon  the  Door  of  thy  mouth. 
The  Algerine  news  seems  now  distrusted,  as  to  the  Circumstances 
at  least.  A  Small  Society  has  begun  a  Charity  for  the  relief  of  the 
known  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  Algerines.  Upon  enquiry  I 
find  there  was  a  family  of  Cromwells*  in  this  Town.  Philip,  or 
John,  who  lived  &  died  a  Batchelor,  &  left  an  estate  to  two  sisters, 
who  married  a  Pickering,  &  a  Phippen.  A  daughter  of  this  Pick- 
ering was  Grand  Mother  to  S.  Silsbee,  aet.  60,  now  living.  From  the 
Phippen  branch  came  the  Wards  &  Clarks.  His  property  is  said  to 
have  been,  his  mansion,  where  nowD""  Holyoke  lives,  &upon  which 
was  a  Butcher's  Shop,  the  pavement  of  which  was  removed  when 
said  house  &  yard  were  repaired,  the  House  being  built  for  a  Bow- 
ditch,  &  by  some  mistake  the  estate  having  fallen  into  the  hands  of 
the  Browns  &  Bowditchs.  The  portions  of  his  estate  are  said  to  be 
on  a  line  with  Derby's  Store  on  Brown's  land  to  the  water,  fronting 
as  far  as  Market  Street  &  so  proceeding  cm  the  East  line  to  the  wa^ 
ter  excepting  only  Felt's  House  &  land.  In  the  Eastern  Quarter  of 
the  Town,  upon  the  southern  bounds  of  Smith's  land  in  Daniel's 
land,  crossing  New  Derby  Street  down  to  Glanville's  then  running 
eastward  to  a  line  with  Diman's  land,  back  of  Smith's  land  to  the 
nothern  line,  then  east  of  Turner's  lane  before  Beadle's,  a  square,  & 
the  oblong  between  Dean  &  Barker  though  to  Hardy's  Lane.  The 
oldest  house  in  Salem  was  Giggles  where  now  N.  Silsbee'sf  &  they 
had  the  first  child,  say  S.  &  tho  a  daughter,  named  her  Ebenezer. 
By  first  house,  first  framed,  &c. 

2.  The  Committee  gave  an  invitation  to  Levi  Maxey,  Stone  Cut- 
ter, to  assist  in  our  Music  &  this  evening  he  was  at  my  House  with 
the  Singers,  &  is  to  give  an  answer  next  Thursday. 

3.  The  Sledding  good  in  the  back  country  as  far  down  as  Hav- 
erhill, whence  they  pass  down  on  the  river  into  Newbury  Port, 
which  gives  them  a  plentiful  market.  We  have  not  the  least  re- 
semblance of  winter  in  our  appearance.  In  the  afternoon  comfort- 
able without  fire. 

•Hee  Essex  Institute  Historical  Collections,  Yol.  XXXIX,  p.  365. 
tFoot  of  Daniels  street. 


80  DiAEY  OP  [Jan. 

4.  Abroad  without  Surtoiit,  &  in  the  day  at  home  without  fire. 

5.  Sunday.  Some  attempts  as  in  all  winter  seasons  to  make  a 
religious  stir  but  at  present  it  is  confined  to  few,  who  scruple  not  to 
take  whole  nights  for  their  exercises,  &  call  the  hours  to  midnight 
seasonable.     The  Methodists  have  made  these  unpopular. 

6.  We  have  news  that  Carnes  in  an  East  India  Ship  belonging 
to  the  Derby  family  after  3  Years'  Voyage  has  been  lost  in  the 
West  Indies,  &  the  Crew  saved. 

8.  An  ordination  in  Lower  Danvers.  The  minister  is  to  be 
maintained  by  a  free  Contribution,  &  not  by  Parish  Lines. 

10.  One  of  the  Schools  had  open  windows  all  the  afternoon.  I 
kindled  no  fire  through  the  day. 

12.  Sunday.  Last  night  a  Storm  of  Snow  began,  which  contin- 
ued till  eight  in  the  morning  &  was  succeeded  with  clear,  &  cold 
north  wind. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Archer  &  Wife,  one  of  their  family, 
death  of,  &  Broth,  at  Sea.  Stephen  Cloutman  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

21.  M"  Solomon,  an  actress  now  in  Town,  is  complimented  up- 
on her  performing  of  a  Low  Character  well.  M"^  Jones  has  returned 
&  made  a  good  voyage.  He  is  now  at  liberty,  having  had  the 
Small  Pox.  This  adventurer  has  been  a  Blacksmith,  Chymist, 
Baker,  Rantor,  &  at  50  was  determined  to  retrieve  his  circumstan- 
ces by  adventures  at  Sea.  He  was  taught  navigation,  &  has  re- 
turned with  success. 

22.  Several  days  we  have  had  foggy  &  rainy  weather.  Little 
frost  is  left  in  the  ground.     All  the  appearances  of  Spring. 

23.  A  Second  Guinea  Captain  has  died  this  season,  Burditt,  who 
with  Hall  lived  in  this  part  of  the  Town,  &  were  of  the  Eng. 
Church.  The  first  belonged  at  Charlestown,  &  sailed  from  it  near 
Boston.  The  last  was  a  foreigner,  both  married  in  the  Town.  The 
news  produced  a  bonfire  on  the  Common,  in  all  the  rain  &  the  peo- 
ple were  alarmed,  supposing  it  to  be  a  building  in  flames. 

24.  Great  blame  cast  upon  the  contriver  of  the  bonfire  last 
evening,  from  the  labour  occasioned  by  the  engines  from  Beverly  & 
Marblehead.  The  whole  disgraceful  &  unseasonable.  One  Briggs 
was  the  promoter,  &  gave  the  Liquor. 

26.  Sunday.  Intense  Cold.  Short  Services,  &  thin  House. 
Both  Wardens  absent.  Notes.  Jon*  Archer  tert.  &  Wife,  her 
delivery. 

30.  Yesterday  went  with  D'"  Holyoke  to  visit  Goodale  springs 
with  a  Thermometer.  The  Glass  in  open  air  at  29°.  In  the  water 
at  the  Spring  at  48°,  one  degree  above  the  last  year's  observation, 
after  a  very  hot  Summer.  Since  the  wood  has  been  taken  from 
Watson's  Lot,  the  Spring  which  has  been  steady  for  several  years 
since  the  ditch  was  dug  into  which  it  entered,  has  failed.  This  is 
said  to  be  a  common  effect. 

31.  Snow  fell,  but  much  in    drifts.     Before  it   fell   the    travel- 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  81 

liug  was  very  bad  in  the  interior  country.  No  Slaying  for  80 
miles  back  of  us. 

February  2.  [1794]  Sunday.  Xotes.  Samuel  Dodd  &  Wife, 
for  him  sick.  ]Mary  Wardelow,  sick.  Seeth  Ropes,  her  delivery, 
husband  &  friends  at  Sea.  John  Aubree  &  wife,  her  delivery.  A 
M"  Murray  died  suddenly  by  the  rupture  of  a  Blood  vessel.  She 
had  long  been  affected  by  an  obstinate  cough. 

3.  The  merits  of  our  Charities  render  some  provision  for  stran- 
gers needful.  Dodd  is  of  Marblehead.  They  make  no  provision 
for  their  poor,  but  a  house.  This  makes  the  poor  reluctant  to  re- 
turn, &  Overseers  of  other  Towns  unwilling  to  send,  especially 
when  they  must  pay  expences.  The  State's  poor  must  not  belong 
to  any  part  of  the  State,  &  each  Town,  at  least  Seaport,  must  be 
cautious  of  poor  from  near  Towns,  to  avoid  a  burden  that  would 
unavoidably  fall  upon  them.  A  Society  for  relief  of  indigent  resi- 
dents ought  to  be  formed. 

5.  The  Theatre  opened  for  the  first  time  is  now  the  subject. 
The  enlightened  who  have  not  determined  upon  its  utter  abolition 
have  yet  generally  agreed  that  it  is  too  early  introduced  into  our 
country.  The  success  upon  the  first  night  (last  Monday)  was  not 
equal  to  expectation,  nor  could  it  be.  The  brilliancy  of  the  novel 
scene,  the  interested  representations  of  men  who  have  contended  & 
yet  are  contending  for  the  object  with  passion,  &  the  expence  with 
which  it  has  been  attended  cannot  silence  a  complaint  that  the 
Actors  are  not  of  the  first  abilities.  The  choice  of  pieces  may  be 
called  good  but  the  loudest  applauses  did  not  attend  the  Tragedy. 
The  audience  will  not  only  call  for  their  favorite  music,  but  for  in- 
dulgence to  their  favorite  passions.  Such  was  the  eagerness  with 
which  Tickets  were  purchased,  that  they  afforded  matter  for  profit- 
able speculation.  The  same  performances  are  to  be  twice  still 
repeated  this  week. 

6.  Our  Salem  players  have  withdrawn,  or  rather  have  dispersed. 
Some  have  gone  on  to  Cape  Ann.  All  of  them  it  is  said  loaded 
with  debts  they  will  never  discharge. 

8.  The  Prince  Edward  of  England  is  in  Boston,  the  second  visit 
ever  made  to  that  Town  by  an  heir  of  the  English  Blood  Royal. 
The  Theatre  has  not  been  crowded,  according  to  expectation  Avhen 
the  second  and  third  exhibitions  of  G.  Vasa  were  offered. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Lydia  Alexander  on  d.  of  her  mother 
Murray,  Son  at  Sea.  Mehitable  Valpey,  d.  of  her  mother,  husb.  & 
Brethren  at  Sea.  Hannah  Homan,  d.  of  her  mother,  Son  &  Breth- 
ren at  Sea.     Sarah  Burroughs,  sick  herself. 

14.  With  Pratt  this  day  at  Hodges'  &  find  Ogden  continuing 
his  mischief.  With  Capt.  Dodge  who  has  been  at  Pegu,  which  is 
now  subject  to  the  King  of  Ava,  but  could  get  no  particular  infor- 
mation. He  saw  an  engagement  of  the  Peguans  with  the  Siamese 
in  which  9, 000  men  were  engaged  &  he  was  told  the  first  time  with 


82  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

fire  arms,  &  only  one  wounded.  They  fought  from  gun  Boats. 
This  might  be  the  first  time  of  trusting  solely  to  firearms,  but  so 
general  use  could  not  be  a  first  effort. 

15.  The  Newbury  Stage  broke  away,  &  ran  over  Smith  the 
Hostler  &  broke  his  ancle,  &  over  the  thigh  of  a  female  child  of 
one  Groce,  &  broke  it. 

16.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sally  Waters,  delivery,  d.  of  the  child, 
Husband  &  friends  at  Sea.  Dined  with  Chase  Taylor  of  Sanborn- 
ton  &  his  wife,  formerly  Sarah  Elkins  at  M'  Browne's. 

20.  This  morning  died  M""*  Dean.*  A  woman  remarkable  for  a 
fondness  of  dress  in  yovith  &  for  a  levity  of  temper  which  she  pre- 
served till  death,  not  being  destitute  of  that  vivacity,  &  yet  steadi- 
ness, which  preserved  her  character  free  from  any  vitious  imputa^ 
tion. 

21.  We  have  very  discouraging  intelligence  respecting  our 
friends  in  the  West  Indies  and  in  Europe.  All  our  Vessels  are  de- 
tained, &  some  condemned  in  the  British  Ports,  &  the  Islands 
swarm  with  privateers.  The  Algerines  have  taken  we  are  told  sev- 
eral vessels  &  it  is  believed  Patterson,  belonging  to  our  Society. 

22.  News  of  the  death  of  Capt.  Johnson  Briggs,  an  industrious 
man,  who  has  left  a  wife  big  with  child,  &  9  living  children.  They 
could  spare  nothing  but  his  example.  General  Washington's  Birth- 
day. It  was  not  observed  in  form  on  this  occasion,  fearing  the  pre- 
cedent. Several  Companies  of  young  men  dined  in  Town  &  at 
Osgood's.  Several  Flags  were  hoisted  at  the  wharves.  The  bad 
news  seems  to  have  dispirited  the  inhabitants.  Insurance  upon  no 
terms. 

23.  Sunday.  Funeral  of  M''*  Dean  this  evening.  Ventured  to 
notice  the  political  situation  of  our  cotmtry,  as  consistent  with  duty, 
in  this  day  of  common  fears. 

24.  From  M""^  Ingersoll  a  descendant  I  learn  that  the  first 
family  of  the  Holingworth  was  by  a  marriage  with  Susannah 
Woodbery;  that  the  Son  William  married  an  Eleanor  Storer,  who 
lived  in  England  with  an  Aunt,  but  having  a  love  engagement, 
contrary  to  her  Aunt's  wishes  she  proposed  to  follow  her  Lover 
into  America.  He  landed  at  Boston  &  she  at  Salem,  but  as  he  did 
not  wait  upon  her  the  first  night  after  her  letter  to  him  of  her  arri- 
val, she  married  William  Holingsworth.  She  preserved  her  ideas 
of  importance,  as  she  never  went  abroad  in  the  evening,  unless  with 
a  servant  before,  &  another  behind  her.  She  preserved  a  medallion 
given  to  her  Aunt  by  King  Charles  as  he  passed  through  the  house 
when  she  was  a  Girl,  fleeing  to  the  Island  of  Jersey,  &  this  was 
given  to  Eleanor,  &  by  her  to  her  daughter  Susannah,  &  tho' 
ordered  to  be  transmitted,  it  was  sold  by  Pickering  her  executor 
during  the  minority  of  the  children.  It  was  with  double  crosses  on 
one  side,  &  a  man  on  horseback  on  the  other.     Her  husband   was 

•Mary,  wife  of  Capt.  Thomae  Dean. 


1794]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  83 

killed  by  the  Indians  in  Virginia,  while  looking  up  his  Lands  in 
that  country.  Her  Son  Richard  was  wounded  in  a  duel  &  lost  one 
eye,  &  is  buried  near  his  mother,  «&  the  grave  Stones  are  said  to  be 
now  standing  on  the  Graveyard  point. 

25.  A  Lottery  has  been  granted  to  Harvard  College  for  the 
erecting  of  another  Hall  for  the  accomodation  of  the  students.  The 
idea  of  Lotteries  are  reprobated  seriously  by  some  people.  M"^  Bar- 
low's remonstrance  to  the  National  convention  has  been  printed, 
upon  which  tliey  have  been  said  to  have  decreed  '<  Lotteries  of 
whatever  nature  they  may  be,  or  under  whatever  denomination 
they  may  exist,  are  suppressed." 

26.  We  have  news  of  our  East  India  friends  who  have  been 
embargoed  live  months  in  the  Isle  of  France.  Several  of  our  ves- 
sels embargoed  in  Bourdeaux. 

28,  One  of  the  most  pleasant  days.  Wind  in  the  west,  clear 
sun,  good  walking,  &  the  streets  filled  with  visiting  parties.  Upon 
the  whole  this  has  been  a  very  favourable  winter,  &  excepting  for 
these  three  days  past  we  have  had  no  slaying.  These  days  have 
given  us  full  markets,  particularly  of  wood,  where  price  from  5 
dollars  is  reduced  to  3.  The  Fishermen  in  Cat  Cove  are  rigging 
their  vessels  to  remove  them  from  their  winter  station.  No  ice  is 
to  be  seen  in  our  Harbour.  The  snow  on  the  ground  is  not  deep,  & 
consists  of  the  remains  of  three  flights. 

March  2.  [1794]  Sunday.  Thomas  Dean  &  Children,  d.  of 
his  wife,  &  Brother  at  Sea.  Wid.  Mary  Waters,  d.  of  Sister  Dean 
&  Son  at  Sea.  Wid.  Hannah  MascoU,  d.  of  Sister  Dean.  Susannah 
Dean,  d.  of  Sister  Dean  &  Husband  at  Sea.  Ruth  Briggs  & 
children,  d.  of  husband,  &  for  Son  at  Sea,  &  d.  of  Sister.  Elizabeth 
Thomas,  d.  of  Br.  Briggs  &  Sist.  Burroughs,  &  Son  at  Sea.  Mary 
Burroughs,  d.  of  her  mother,  &  brother  at  Sea.  Deborah  Sage,  de- 
livery, husband  &  brother  at  Sea. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  Benj*  Hutchinson  [&  wife],  her  delivery, 
Brother  long  absent,  &  another  at  Sea.  Letters  from  M'  Goodhue,  our 
Member  alarm  us  with  apprehensions  of  a  War  with  Britain.  As 
we  know  not  upon  what  grouuds  his  fears  arise  we  cannot  judge. 
He  speaks  of  repairing  forts,  &  establishing  in  each  a  garrison  of 
20  continental  soldiers.  There  is  the  greater  part  of  American 
Shipping  abroad  at  the  present  day. 

10.  The  annual  Town  Meeting.  In  my  turn,  I  was  to  pray,  & 
find  myself  surprised  at  the  effect  of  unusual  situations.  The  pub- 
lic being  engaged  by  most  interesting  objects,  property  detained 
aboard,  stagnation  of  business,  &  apprehensions  of  a  War,  one  hour 
sufficed  for  the  election  of  every  Officer,  &  every  nomination  was 
heard. 

11.  Several  of  our  Vessels  we  learn  are  condemned  at  Monserat. 
Capt.  Geo.  Hodges  was  liberated  from  New  Providence.  Capt. 
Welman  of  my  Society  it  is  said  is  among  the  condemned.     Vessel 


84  ^        DIARY  OF  [March 

&  property  his  own.  Some  of  our  friends  we  are  told  are  conveyed 
from  Spanish  Ports  beyond  the  reach  of  the  Algerines,  &  are  upon 
their  voyage  home. 

12.  We  are  not  able  as  yet  from  all  our  information  to  under- 
stand upon  w*  grounds  the  British  Courts  condemn  American  Ves- 
sels, &  the  conduct  is  undoubtedly  different  in  different  ports.  The 
Gazettes  are  filled  with  disputes  about  the  information,  while  both 
parties  are  unable  to  state  the  question.  Electioneering  for  our 
State  primates  goes  on  with  the  usual  abuse. 

13.  This  evening  returned  home  Capt.  Patterson,  whom  we  sup- 
posed to  have  been  a  prisoner  at  Algiers.  He  had  a  strange  escape 
from  the  dullness  of  his  vessel.  Our  friends  in  Algiers  are  treated 
as  Slaves,  their  heads  shorn,  chained  together,  dressed  in  frocks  & 
trowsers,  &  employed  upon  the  public  works. 

14.  The  public  mind  distressed  by  the  state  of  property  abroad. 
Neutral  vessels  have  no  advantages  as  one  nation  adopts  the  meas- 
ures of  its  rivals,  &  makes  the  terms  as  severe.  The  Captain  of  the 
British  Frigate  now  in  Boston  says,  he  has  instructions  to  take  all 
vessels  bound  to  &  from  the  french  ports,  &  send  them  into  British 
Ports, 

15.  The  merchants  of  this  Town  have  had  a  meeting  upon  the 
subject  of  a  representation  to  Congress,  and  it  appears  2/5  of  the 
Trading  Stock  of  the  Town  is  employed  in  the  West  Indies,  & 
probably  1/3  of  that  in  the  hands  of  the  British  exceeding  200,000 
Dollars. 

16.  Sunday.  Noah  Hobart  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  mother  at  Hing- 
ham. 

17.  One  of  the  Boston  Indiamen  has  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  but 
dare  not  cross  the  bay  for  the  port  of  Boston,  on  account  of  a  Frig- 
ate from  the  English  in  the  Bay.  The  whole  Commerce  of  our 
country  is  sacrificed,  &  all  the  flatteries  we  bestow  upon  the  Eng- 
lish are  now  converted  into  the  most  bitter  invectives. 

18.  A  Judgement  at  Monserrat  upon  one  of  our  Vessels,  speci- 
fies the  charge  '*  sailing  under  the  privilege  &  adoption  of  a  French 
Vessel,  &  that  with  the  privity  &  knowledge  of  the  Owner  &  Cap- 
tain." 

20.  For  the  first  time  bathed  in  open  air  at  the  Juniper.  Let- 
ters from  Government  teach  us  to  expect  a  war,  &  at  present  the 
sound  is  more  acceptable  than  we  could  have  imagined. 

21.  Two  of  our  vessels  have  run  from  the  Harbours  of  the 
British  &  escaped,  &  have  arrived.  The  public  countenance  moves 
at  every  event,  like  the  countenance  of  a  criminal  expecting,  & 
hoping  a  reprieve. 

22.  Capt.  Elkins  came  into  Town  this  day  after  his  Voyage 
from  Cadiz.  Discontents  of  the  poor  unemployed  increase,  but  no 
disturbances  or  threats. 

23.  Sunday.     Notes.     Margaret   Derby,  d.  of  Sister  Preble  at 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.   D.  85 

Portland,  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Wid.  Mary  Lambert,  d.  of 
G.  Son  Preston,  &  G.  Sons  at  Sea.  And.  Preston  &  Wife,  d.  of  Son 
abroad,  Amos  LeFavre  &  Wife,  d.  of  Brother  Preston.  Sarah 
Shehane,  d.  of  her  Son,  &  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Daniel  Shehane  & 
wife,  d.  of  Brother,  &  Brother  at  Sea. 

2G.  News  continually  of  seizures  of  Vessels,  &  now  of  cutting 
them  from  neutral  ports.  The  people  are  enraged,  but  are  perfectly 
duped.  From  the  want  of  resources,  &  fears  of  revolution  in  gov- 
ernment, they  are  kept  quiet  till  they  are  stript,  &  then  the  meas- 
i;res  they  take  because  veniunt  Ilomani,  will  promote  the  piu-poses 
they  abhor. 

27.  This  afternoon  we  have  reports  of  the  delivery  of  the  prop- 
erty belonging  to  America  being  ordered  by  Administration.  It  is 
said  to  come  from  Boston  by  the  way  of  Halifax.  The  countenan- 
ces of  the  people  change  easily.  There  are  no  stable  principles  of 
polity  in  our  country,  &  the  confidence  in  the  government  daily 
diminishes  from  the  want  of  energy  every  where  perceived. 

28.  The  Xews  is  converted  into  a  hand  bill,  representing  the 
application  of  some  merchants  to  the  Minister  for  explanation,  rep- 
resenting it  to  have  been  dated  6  Nov"^  but  published  at  the  end  of 
December.  Instructions  are  consequently  issued  revoking  the  first, 
&  excluding  the  article,  bound  to  or  from  any  French  Island,  &  in- 
serting such  only  as  in  a  state  of  seige,  &c.  The  public  upon  an 
examination  have  abated  their  joys  &  find  by  the  arrival  of  a  Cap- 
tain from  S*  Kitts,  that  vessels  are  still  condemned,  &  his  own 
among  the  rest.  I  find  myself  deeply  interested  by  a  sympathy 
with  the  public.  A  privateer  is  already  up  in  Becket's  yard,  & 
several  are  said  to  be  engaged. 

29.  Ashbey  arrived  this  morning  after  having  been  detained 
several  months  at  S*  Vincents,  being  found  near  Martinico  from 
Europe.  Part  of  his  Cargo  was  condemned,  himself  maletreated, 
had  to  pay  his  own  charges,  &  returned  with  his  Vessel  &  one  third 
of  his  original  Stock.  The  Condemnation  of  our  vessels  is  con- 
firmed, but  the  fears  of  the  people  prevail  against  a  war.  Some  of 
the  Captains  have  returned.  AVelman  has  returned,  &  lost  all  m 
S*  Kitts. 

30.  Sunday.  News  of  an  Embargo  through  the  United  States, 
forbidding  all  Vessels  to  sail  for  foreign  ports.  In  less  than  3  days 
from  Philadelphia.  John  Usher  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  mother  in 
another  Town. 

31.  Some  little  discontents  respecting  an  English  vessel  which 
sailed  yesterday  morning  at  the  time  of  laying  the  embargo.  This 
day  the  return  of  many  of  our  Captains  &  friends  from  the  West 
Indies  after  the  condemnation  of  their  Vessels  &  Cargoes.  At 
present  general  satisfaction  with  the  Embargo.  Great  uncertainty 
what  measures  will  be  pursued,  but  less  hopes  of  peace,  &  greater 
disposition  for  War. 


86  DIARY  OF  [April 

April  1,  1794.  The  negro  General  of  Martinico  has  been  bribed 
to  deliver  up  S*  Pierre  in  Martinico,  &  has  arrived  at  Boston.  Hia 
name  Bellegarde.  He  has  made  his  appearance  without  any  other 
compliment  than  a  crowd  of  Boys.  In  this  time  of  general  appre- 
hension M'  Derby  with  his  usual  benevolence  to  the  public,  has 
agreed  to  employ  three  Masters  to  teach  the  art  of  navigation  gratis 
to  60  young  men,  that  the  present  time  might  not  be  lost,  or  idle- 
ness serve  to  corrupt  them.  To  this  generous  act  he  has  added 
some  of  great  private  munificence.     Archer,  Frye  &  West. 

2.  We  had  a  beautiful  Launch  of  a  small  Vessel  from  Brigg's 
Ship  yard  at  noon,  belonging  to  Capt.  West.  M"^  Derby  sets  up 
another  immediately,  upon  the  model  of  a  Privateer, 

3.  News  from  Congress  that  they  have  formed  some  spirited  re- 
solves respecting  the  English  debts  m  our  Country,  &  were  engaged 
in  debates  upon  the  manner  of  detaining  them  to  compensate  the 
Sufferers  for  the  late  violent  seizures.  It  is  reported  Vermont  has 
offered  to  go  &  take  Quebec  from  the  English. 

4.  The  merchants  have  a  meeting  this  day  to  receive  a  Commit- 
tee from  Newbury  Port  on  the  subject  of  the  late  captures.  The 
object  cannot  be  well  within  their  reach. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Anna  Dwire,  d.  of  her  Husband  in  East 
Indies.  Francis  Grant  &  Wife,  d.  of  Son  in  Law  Dwire.  Wid. 
Mary  Crowninshield,  very  sick,  Children  at  Sea. 

7.  The  day  for  the  election  of  Govern  our.  Parties  have  been 
so  violent  in  Boston  &  even  in  the  Chronicle  of  the  day,  that  it 
was  curious  to  watch  the  influence  of  example  in  this  Town. 
3/5*''*  had  plainly  a  wish  to  continue  Adams,  upon  the  preposses- 
sions in  favour  of  his  republicanism.  They  who  only  vote  at  the 
spur  of  the  moment,  instigated  by  friends,  &  particular  views 
favoured  Cushing.  They  who  always  vote,  &  had  doubts  of  Adams' 
qualifications,  &  yet  had  no  counter  republican  motives  voted  for 
Gerry.  The  Box  was  open  from  11  A.  M.  to  4  P.  M.,  and  I  doubt 
not  we  shall  find  the  distinction  between  the  Citizens  run  as  fairly 
by  these  Votes,  as  a  thing  of  this  nature  can  be  determined.  Adams 
167,  Cushing  50,  Gerry  12. 

11.  The  Grand  Turk  returned  from  the  Southward,  &  is  now  in 
our  harbour.  Uncertainty  is  in  every  man's  opinions.  Various  re- 
ports in  circulation. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Widow  Susannah  Harthorne,  d.  of 
Brother  in  Law  Harthorne,  &  prayers  for  two  infirm  grand  children. 
Wid.  Mercy  Wellman,  d.  of  Son  in  Law  Daniels  &  pr.  for  Sons  at 
Sea.     Wid.  Abigail  Masury,  very  sick  &  weak. 

14.  Instructions  have  come  to  the  General  Collector  &  Select- 
men to  provide  a  place  to  erect  one  or  more  Forts  or  Batteries,  to 
guard  our  harbour,  &  this  day  the  Gentlemen  accompanied  with 
several  citizens  of  distinction  surveyed  the  ground.  There  is  a 
Town  meeting  warned  for  next  Wednesday,  to  deliberate  on  this 
subject. 


1794]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  87 

16.  Informed  myself  of  the  landing  at  Point  of  Rocks  which 
had  a  Stone  causeway  20  feet  below  the  Bold  Rock,  within  the 
western  point,  which  is  now  seperated  from  the  Shore,  &  is  every 
tide  surroimded  with  water.  The  Bold  Rock  at  landing  is  yet  con- 
nected with  the  Bank,  but  the  earth  is  gone  someway  back  of  it. 
The  rocks  in  confusion  lay  behind  it  up  to  the  Bank. 

16.  A  Flush  of  Joy  from  the  arrival  of  a  Vessel  bringing  news 
that  they  ceased  to  condemn  vessels  in  the  W.  Indies  belonging  to 
Americans.  We  had  not  so  pleasant  tidings  of  some  of  our  friends 
in  the  evening. 

17.  Fast.  Notes.  W™  Browne  &  family,  d.  of  his  Mother, 
friends  at  Sea.  The  joy  of  yesterday  is  in  some  measure  checked 
by  the  arrival  of  some  of  our  friends  stripped  of  their  property,  & 
without  hopes  of  a  recovery. 

20.  Sunday.  Abigail  Masury,  d.  of  Mother.  Elizabeth  Millet, 
delivery,  Husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 

21.  News  of  the  Continuation  of  the  Embargo  till  25  May.  Anx- 
iety came  upon  many  minds  lest  it  should  not  be  continued,  while 
others  were  really  making  preperations  to  start  at  a  moment's  de- 
lay, &  even  those  who  were  entrusted  with  the  public  measures  of 
the  merchants.     How  little  integrity  is  to  be  seen  in  human  affairs. 

23.  Went  to  Manchester  at  the  review  of  the  Regiment  of  that 
Town  &  Beverly.  400  men  were  under  arms  under  Col.  Francis. 
They  paraded  on  a  plat  of  ground  on  this  Side  of  the  Harbour, 
marched  into  Town  round  the  square,  &  performed  several  street 
firings,  &c.  The  men  were  well  made,  decently  clad,  &  well 
armed.  The  Collation  was  in  a  Fish  House  near  the  parade,  &  the 
entertainment  was  boil'd  salt  fish,  potatoes,  butter,  oil,  &  hard 
bread.  The  men  were  finally  dismissed  at  four  o'clock,  &  without 
any  accident.  The  officers  in  commission  were  escorted  from 
parade  by  the  noncommissioned  officers  &  music,  &  private  gentle- 
men to  the  public  house  held  by  M''  Crafts. 

24.  A  Committee  from  Boston,  «&c.  of  Merchants  meet  the  Salem 
Comm.  this  day  in  this  Town.  The  result  of  their  important  delib- 
erations have  not  transpired. 

25.  This  Committee  has  chosen  another  Committee  of  three, 
one  from  each  Town,  viz'  Boston,  Salem  &  Newbury  Port,  to  go  on 
to  congress  to  make  a  statement  of  their  affairs.  M'  John  Norris 
of  Salem. 

27.  Sunday.  Went  this  morning  on  an  exchange  to  Boxford, 
South  Parish.  The  Rev.  Holyoke  is  disabled  by  a  paralytic  stroke. 
I  took  the  road,  leaving  Topsfield  meeting  on  the  right,  &  after  3/4 
of  a  mile  took  the  right  hand  through  a  road  which  did  not  seem  to 
be  much  used,  &  which  was  but  poorly  settled  from  a  visible  cause, 
the  poverty  of  the  soil.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Holyoke  &  his  family  re- 
ceived me  kindly.  His  wife  is  agreable.  An  only  daughter  at 
home  gave  us  her  company  in  modest  silence.     The  meeting  house 


88  DIARY  OF  [May 

is  small,  well  painted,  without  spire  or  bell,  &  the  congregation 
made  a  very  decent  appearance  throughout.  A  M""  Adams  from 
New  Rowley,  an  adjoining  vacant  parish  gave  us  his  company  at 
dinner,  &  told  us  the  Anabaptist  minister  had  also  left  from  the 
circulation  of  some  reports  respecting  his  immodest  freedoms.  This 
is  the  third  seperation  of  these  amorous  zealots  in  the  County  since 
I  have  lived  in  it,  besides  other  uneasiness  from  the  same  cause 
with  men  of  the  same  character. 

28.  The  arrival  of  Cap*  Scott,  &  other  Ships  from  England  sat- 
isfies for  the  moment  the  public  mind,  but  the  arrival  of  some  of 
our  stript  Captains  from  the  West  Indies  adds  to  our  perplexity  in 
regard  to  the  event. 

May  1.  [1794]  Cap*  Gibaut*  arrived  after  a  voyage  of  three 
years  from  India  having  been  detained  &  embargoed  in  different 
ports  17  months.  His  first  detention  was  at  Pegu,  where  his 
vessel  was  taken  into  the  service  of  the  King  of  Ava,  he  then  sold 
&  took  passage  to  the  English  Ports.  Upon  his  return  he  found 
the  Ship  Henry  at  Isle  of  France,  with  the  Master  made  a  new  pur- 
chase &  took  charge  of  his  Ship  for  home.  Stopped  at  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  long  enough  to  have  a  share  of  British  Insolence,  & 
has  safely  returned, 

2.  Capt.  Gibaut  who  visited  the  conquered  province  of  Pegu, 
now  subject  to  Ava,  assured  me  that  from  the  Port  all  the  circum- 
jacent coimtry  was  uncultivated.  That  he  went  above  an  hundred 
miles  upon  the  river  to  the  Capital  which  they  are  now  restoring. 
That  people  of  every  condition  wear  only  a  cloth  fastened  at  the 
waste  reaching  to  the  feet  &  open  before  with  a  short  jacket  with 
sleeves.  Extremely  ignorant.  The  religious  prohibition  of  killing 
animals,  tho'  not  of  eating  them  when  dead,  led  them  to  many  prac- 
tices disagreeable  to  us.  Some  Portugese  &  Scotch  were  among 
them.  He  heard  at  Ragusa  the  tigers,  &  was  witness  of  their  hor- 
rid noise  as  he  passed  up  the  river.     Executions  frequent. 

3.  M'  Gibaut  furnished  me  with  several  Arabic  &  Persia  letters 
written  by  Merchants,  &  has  promised  me  a  specimen  of  the  Peguan 
language  &  writing.  The  letters  I  have  received  are  written  on  the 
paper  in  various  directions.  Some  parts  obliquely,  others  in  col- 
umns, &c. 

4.  Sunday.  Elizabeth  Thomas,  d.  of  her  eldest  Son,  M"^  S. 
Derby  has  arrived  safe  &  we  hope  will  make  up  for  his  misfortunes. 

7.  The  day  appeared  in  the  morning  to  be  very  unpromising  for 
military  parade,  &  there  was  some  rain,  &  it  continued  cloudy  till 
just  before  Sunset.  The  regiment  turned  out  with  the  Cadets,  & 
artillery,  &  were  very  well  provided  according  to  Law.  The  dinner 
was  frugal  in  Marine  hall  at  Gen.  Abbot's,  &  the  Clergy  were  in- 
vited by  the  Ofl&cers  of  the  Regiment,  &  such  Military  Gentlemen 

•John,  son  of  Capt.  Edward  and  Sarah  (Orowninshield)  Gibaut,  afterwards  collector  at 
Gloucester. 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  89 

as  were  in  Town.  The  officers  of  tlie  Cadets  &  Artillery  were  not 
with  us.  In  the  afternoon  tliere  was  the  customary  firing,  &  the 
day  ended  with  joy,  &  without  accident. 

8,  The  Two  Gentlemen  chosen  as  representatives  for  this  Town 
are  J.  Saunders,  Esq"^,  &  E.  H.  Derby  jun"".  The  old  member,  Har- 
thorne,  has  been  rejected  by  the  spirit  which  now  worketh  in  the 
pacific  measures  of  our  Country.  An  attempt  to  choose  a  third  mem- 
ber proposed  by  ^U  Derby,  on  account  of  his  avocations,  was  coun- 
teracted by  the  resolute  opposition  to  the  member,  IVP  Harthorne. 

9.  A  little  squabble  in  words  between  a  late  member  &  a  Clergy- 
man at  the  dinner  on  last  Wednesday  serves  to  fill  up  a  vacant 
hour  in  this  time  of  idleness.  It  seems  the  member  observed  that 
in  the  last  war  the  clergy  were  the  most  busy,  but  now  the  most  si- 
lent. It  was  replied,  they  would  be  as  active  as  any  men  was  a 
war  declared,  &c.,  so  the  conversation  proceeded  to  some  bitterness. 

11.  Sund.  Notes.  James  Collins,  d.  of  his  wife.  Mary 
Wardelow,  d.  of  Sister  Collins.  Mary  Ledbeter,  d.  of  mother  Col- 
lins. James  Collins,  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of  his  Mother  Collins. 
Margaret  Curtis,  d.  of  her  Sister  Collins.  Anna  Gale  &  children, 
d.  of  her  daughter.     Thomas  Keen  &  Wife  for  her  sick. 

12.  On  Saturd.  &  Sunday  we  have  great  news.  A  General 
Delivery  in  the  West  Indies,  open  english  Ports,  &  other  great 
things.  There  is  suddenly  called  a  meeting  at  6  this  evening  to 
consider  of  the  embargo.  No  changes  can  be  more  sudden,  than 
are  seen  in  the  countenances  &  the  views  of  men. 

13.  Last  night  an  almost  universal  CONSENT  to  leave  the  em- 
bargo to  Congress,  or  express  such  a  sense  to  Congress,  &  that  they  are 
not  opposed  to  its  continuance.  The  first  association  this  year  held 
at  Marblehead.  There  they  have  commenced  the  Taxation  of 
funded  property  in  the  hands  of  a  Clergyman. 

14.  Yesterday  was  launched  at  Becket's  a  Schooner  built  in  the 
form  of  a  privateer  &  set  up  upon  the  first  alarms  of  the  West 
Indies.  Another  of  the  same  construction  is  to  be  set  up  immedi- 
ately. 

15.  A  D""  Lord,  native  of  Ipswich,  &  practitioner  at  Marblehead, 
having  removed  to  Ipswich,  contemplating  a  return  to  Marblehead, 
from  the  inveteracy  of  an  habit  of  intemperance  in  himself,  &c. 
put  an  end  to  his  existence  by  arsenic.  In  loosing  our  old  friends, 
or  acquaintance  may  we  not  attribute  much  to  the  familiarity.  We 
cannot  bear  such  intimate  views  of  human  nature,  without  detesta- 
tion of  it,  as  we  detest  its  guilt  in  ourselves.  And  can  we  see  the 
best  men,  &  not  see  guilt. 

18.  Sunday.  Weather  uncommonly  cold,  so  as  to  require  a  fire 
all  day  in  all  our  Rooms.  Ice  last  night  of  considerable  thickness 
in  our  yards. 

20.  The  arrival  of  Ingersoll's  Vessel  from  Dominico  &  the  news 
of  many  vessels  liberated  in  that  Island  gave  a  transient  encourage- 


90  DIARY  OP  [May 

ment  but  the  coademnation  of  Forester's  bark,  &  Gray's  Ship,  the 
owners  having  been  zealous  abetters  of  the  doctrine  of  restitution, 
damps  the  hopes.  M""  Smith  has  arrived  from  Dutch  West  India 
Ports. 

21.  This  morning  the  melancholy  news  reached  us  of  the  death 
of  M'  Parish,  the  Minister  of  Manchester.  He  has  exceeded  a 
little  two  years  in  his  ministry,  &  tho'  not  distinguished  for  any- 
thing, but  his  good  nature,  this  was  no  mean  quality  in  rigid  or- 
thodoxy, so  far  as  he  was  capable  of  understanding  it.  There  were 
the  seeds  of  controversy  on  the  subject  of  baptism  springing  up. 
He  denied  it,  or  rather  declined  giving  it,  except  to  the  children  of 
communicants.  This  day  I  visited  Marblehead,  with  intention  to 
examine  the  Neck  which  forms  their  hai'bour,  but  not  having  even 
my  compass  I  was  obliged  to  content  myself  with  a  very  superficial 
survey.  Kev**  Messieurs  Story  &  Hubbard  accompanied  me.  We 
travelled  near  the  shore  from  the  high  rocks  before  the  Town 
called  Bartold's  head,  leaving  below  us  the  new  wharves.  Above  were 
the  old  wharves  called  Nickes  ||cove||  wharf.  We  then  passed  Wal- 
dron's  cove  &  reached  Skinner's  Head,  &  cove,  &  then  red  stone 
cove,  &  then  rotten  Cove,  &  then  Whale  cove,  &  came  to  Euit's 
head,  &  came  to  the  Sea  bank  called  river's  head.  We  passed  on 
the  outer  side,  &  on  the  further  part  saw  the  new  works  erected 
from  the  late  Lottery,  against  which  the  public  has  so  much  com- 
plained. We  found  the  Stones  thrown  up  at  considerable  height  as 
we  approached  the  Neck.  The  tide  being  up,  most  of  the  rocks 
which  lay  off  towards  Kam  Island  were  hidden,  &  those  which  lay 
between  the  neck  &  Tinker's  Island.  We  reached  the  Western 
point,  &  from  the  headland,  had  an  elevation  which  opened  Tinker's 
Island,  so  as  to  shew  the  passage  the  Sea  has  between  the  parts  of 
it.  We  continued  our  walk  on  the  outer  side  of  the  Neck,  which 
has  rocky  head,  &  beaches  between  as  on  the  Shore  of  the  Towns 
tho'  not  of  so  great  elevation,  excepting  about  the  middle  of  the 
neck,  which  is  supposed  to  extend  half  a  mile  in  a  straight  line,  but 
must  exceed  that  distance.  In  this  dry  time  we  found  several 
places  filled  with  water,  &  the  low  land  in  a  very  neglected  state. 
It  is  said  the  whole  neck  includes  180  acres,  the  greater  part  of 
which  is  pasturage.  M"^  Andrews  who  has  the  best  House  on  the 
Neck,  is  wealthy,  possesses  27  acres,  part  of  which  lays  in  the 
rights  of  the  Common  land,  tho'  each  man  knows  his  special  prop- 
erty. There  are  now  three  dwelling  houses  upon  the  Neck  besides 
their  barns,  &  several  fish  houses.  It  is  said  that  there  were  for- 
merly 12  houses,  but  by  the  cellars  they  are  judged  to  have  been 
small,  &  not  to  be  compared  to  these  now  standing.  M''  Andrews' 
house  was  built  before  the  war,  is  painted  &  in  good  repair  with 
out  houses,  &  excellent  stone  walls.  The  other  houses  are  the 
common  farm  houses  two  stories  with  pitched  roofs.  The  neck  is 
widest  about  2/3  up  toward  the  causeway  westward,  &  it    is   one 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  91 

mile  1/2  from  Capt.  Andrews'  House  to  the  New  Meeting  House  in 
the  Town  over  the  Causeway,  about  half  a  mile  across  the  harbour, 
which  is  nearly  of  the  same  width  throughout.  The  point  of  the 
Neck  outward  between  Marblehead  Rock  &  Tinker's  Island  has 
rooks  laying  oif  called  Toni  Moore's  Rocks.  The  point  opposite  to 
the  fort,  &  which  makes  the  mouth  of  the  Harbour  is  called  Point 
Black  Jack,  &  within  it  is  formed  a  Cove  called  Carder's  Cove. 
The  Fort  was  erected  in  the  last  war  upon  a  Headland  below  the 
Town,  &  which  is  never  separated  at  the  highest  tide  from  the  main- 
land, &  beyond  it  lays  Orne  island,  which  can  be  approached  on 
land  only  on  the  ebb.  Above  the  fort  lays  Ingoll's  beach  upon 
which  Leslie  landed  his  troops  at  the  commencement  of  the  War  in 
1775.  The  Harbour  is  not  sheltered  from  the  east  wind,  &  between 
Boden's  point  &  Skinner's  head  about  1/4  over  is  Boden's  ledge  of 
Rocks  upon  which  there  is  in  the  common  ebb  11/2  fathom  of 
water,  &  at  the  lowest  ebb  7  feet.  They  are  Called  Boden's  Rocks, 
but  are  a  real  Ledge  of  some  extent,  &  scattered  round.  I  did  not 
have  the  pleasure  of  visiting  Tinker's  Island,  which  I  was  assured 
could  be  visited  from  the  Neck  by  wading  in  about  3  feet  of  water. 
It  has  much  less  land  than  I  thought  as  viewed  from  the  Neck,  than 
I  judged  from  the  Sea.  There  has  been  one  melancholy  shipwreck 
upon  them  since  I  have  lived  in  Salem.  The  Sunken  rocks  laying 
eastward  of  Cat  Island,  called  in  Salem,  Satan,  are  called  in  Marble- 
head,  the  Porpusses. 

22.  The  M"^  Eulin  who  married  into  the  White  family,  &  against 
whom  so  many  exertions  were  made,  has  already  proved  his  base- 
ness by  leaving  his  wife,  carrying  off  all  her  property  he  could  com- 
mand, embezzling  cash  paid  to  him  to  discharge  debts,  &  as  the 
last  consolation  he  has  written  to  her,  that  he  was  but  an  old  man, 
&  that  if  she  was  uneasy  at  his  long  absence,  she  might  easily  call 
in  her  neighbours.  M""  Major,*  last  from  Marseilles,  has  not  con- 
ducted in  the  same  fashion.  Lately  married,  he  went  away,  &  we 
could  not  find  in  what  direction.  We  conceived  him  gone  forever. 
But  this  week  he  returns  from  a  successful  cruise  against  the  com- 
bined powers,  with  a  little  vessel  &  Cargo  of  his  own,  his  fiddle,  & 
all  his  pleasures. 

23.  Went  for  Manchester,  to  attend  the  funeral  of  Rev*  Ariel 
Parish.  There  were  few  arrangements.  A  Dinner  was  provided  at 
the  house  of  the  deceased,  a  circumstance  which  did  not  please  &  I 
dined  at  a  private  table.  The  procession  was  at  three  o'clock.  The 
School  boys  «&  Master  were  first,  then  the  Church  &  then  the  Clergy. 
Then  the  corps  carried  by  the  young  men,  &  the  pall  supported  by 
Messiem-s  Cleveland,  Forbes,  Hopkins,  Cutler,  Mackeen,  &  Judsou. 
The  Corpse  was  left  at  the  door,  from  the  cause  which  too  often  ren- 
ders it  necessary,  being  above  the  ground  too  long.  The  prayer 
was  by  Rev.  Cleveland,  the  Sermon  by  M''  Forbes,  &  the  closing 

•Majory,  alias  Masury? 


92  DIARY  OP  [May 

prayer  by  Professor  Tappan  of  Cambridge.  At  the  Grave  M'"  Cleve- 
land observed  his  own  fashion  of  making  an  address,  &  then  the 
company  dispersed,  the  bearers  &  relations  returning  in  form  to  the 
house,  which  was  near. 

24.  Last  day  of  the  Embargo,  &  all  busy  to  prepare  to  crowd  to 
market.  Some  enquiring,  why  was  it  put  on  ?  Others,  why  taken 
off  ?  Some  wounded  by  their  losses,  others  exulting  in  their  gains. 
Among  them  all  not  the  best  signs  of  public  virtue. 

25.  Sunday.  Lowry,  &  Showers.  Arrivals.  Notes.  John  M* 
Gregory,  returned  from  sea,  d.  of  his  wife,  br.  at  Sea.  News  that 
Cap*'  Ropes  in  a  Schooner  belonging  to  Hodges,  &c.  foundered  at 
Sea.  The  Capt.  &  hands  have  returned,  taken  from  their  boat  at  Sea. 

26.  Our  harbour  tilled  with  Vessels  ready  to  push  out,  &  make 
great  fortunes.  They  who  cannot  go  Shares  betray  the  most  point- 
ed envy.  Others  complain  of  the  want  of  public  virtue,  &  the 
seeming  patriotism  is  now  lost,  &  the  tonic  for  the  present  northern 
members  &  measures.     No  war. 

27.  Vessels  against  wind  &  weather  striving  to  get  out  of  the 
harbour  bound  to  supply  the  Islands  from  which  we  have  received 
the  greatest  insults.  Even  a  privateer  raised  upon  the  stocks  in 
resentment,  was  the  first  to  sail  with  supplies,  and  at  the  risk  of 
the  same  owners.  Never  did  interest  discover  its  influence  more 
forcibly. 

28.  Day  of  General  Election.  This  morning  news  arrived  of 
Simcoe's  forces  entrencing  within  our  Territories  in  the  Miami 
country  &  for  a  moment  the  alarm  was  great.  We  soon  found  an 
excuse.  It  might  have  been  from  November  orders,  &  they  might 
be  repealed.  I  arrived  in  the  Stage  at  Boston ,  attended  the  public 
sermon,  &  had  a  pleasing  interview  with  my  friends. 

29.  Convention  day.  The  Clergy  are  full  of  projects  they  can 
never  execute.  Strengthening  association,  providing  discipline,  & 
directing  the  examination  of  candidates.  I  walked  to  Jamaica 
plains  in  Roxbury,  &  then  to  Brooklyn,  &  spent  the  evening  with 
Rev"^  M""    Jackson. 

31.  The  observation  of  the  holy  days  at  Election  is  an  abuse  in 
this  part  of  the  Country.  Not  only  at  our  return  yesterday,  did  we 
observe  crowds  around  the  new  Tavern  at  the  entrance  of  the 
Town,  but  even  at  this  day,  we  saw  at  Perkins'  on  the  neck,  persons 
of  all  discriptions,  dancing  to  a  fiddle,  drinking,  playing  with  pen- 
nies, &c.     It  is  proper  such  excesses  should  be  checked. 

June  1.  [1794]  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Collins,  dang,  sick 
of  a  fever,  &  Son  at  Sea. 

5.  Madam  Crowninshield,  widow  of  Clifford*  &  an  Ives  died 
this  morning  after  lingering  illness.  She  is  the  last  of  the  Ives  fam- 
ily among  us. 

*Mary,  daughter  Capl.  Benjamin  and  Anne  (Derby)  Ives,  widow  of  Johu  Crowninshield. 


1794  I  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,   D.    D.  93 

6.  Died  M'  James  Collins,  whose  wife  died  about  a  month  since. 
M*"  Collins  was  an  example  of  a  temperate  man  who  kept  always  in 
his  Shoemaker's  shop,  articles  for  sale  to  Seamen  &  spiritiious 
liqueurs,  without  incurring  censure  of  being  addicted  to  the  low 
vices. 

8.  Sunday,  Anna  Foot,  d.  of  mother  Crowninshicld,  &  husband 
at  Sea.  Thomas  Palfrey  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  mother  Crowninshicld 
&  Brethren  at  Sea.     James  Clearage  &  AVife,  her  delivery. 

9.  The  foul  weather  still  continues,  &  it  counnenced  at  the  Ces- 
sation of  the  Embargo.  It  has  been  a  continued  Fog  with  little 
rain,  &  wind  out.  J^Iany  vessels  are  now  detained.  It  is  called 
the  Grand  Embargo  &,  from  its  singular  effect  is  subject  of  constant 
remark. 

10.  Several  of  our  adjudicated  Captains  have  returned.  The 
Spaniards  have  sent  on  their  Certificate  of  admission  into  their 
ports,  guarded  against  any  advantages  to  the  french. 

11.  Weather  cleared  at  10  o'clock  &  before  noon  30  Vessels 
were  in  the  Offing,  under  sail  for  different  ports. 

12.  In  M''  John  Derby's  Two  mast  Boat  in  company  with  Cap- 
tains Gibaut  &  Orne  we  sailed  for  pleasure  out  of  the  harbour,  in- 
tending to  visit  Tinker's  Island.  We  had  a  pleasant  time,  &  sail- 
ing out  the  southern  way,  we  went  within  grey's  Kock,  &  without 
Marb'head  Rock,  &  continued  our  Course  till  we  reached  Tinker's 
Island.  We  could  not  land  easily,  as  we  brought  no  small  boat 
with  us,  having  first  attempted  it  on  the  beach  between  the  two 
heads,  on  which  we  might  have  succeeded  had  the  tide  been  flowing 
&  we  not  been  afraid  of  grounding.  We  dropped  towards  the 
northern  end,  on  the  inside  of  the  island,  within  the  n.  w.  rock 
which  lies  off,  &  went  on  shore.  We  found  the  Island  laying  near- 
ly north  &  south,  but  having  no  good  instruments  we  dared  not 
trust  them  for  nice  observations.  The  eastern  side  is  a  ragged 
Eock,  much  broken.  &  among  the  fragments  we  found  lodged  much 
of  the  late  rain.  The  tops  of  the  Rocks  are  in  a  state  called  rotten 
rock,  we  found  the  hard  rock  of  the  coast,  this  rotten  rock  &  grey 
rock  together.  In  the  middle  of  the  Island  is  a  spot,  short  of  an 
acre,  of  good  grass  land,  &  the  best  english  grass  standing  upon  it. 
There  is  a  coarser  grass  upon  the  southern  head,  but  the  spot  is 
small.  The  two  heads  are  nearly  seperate,  but  the  tide  does  not 
commonly  seperate  them,  or  the  sea  go  over,  the  Southern  end  re- 
sembles a  horn,  joined  on  the  western  side  of  the  Island  going  east. 
We  returned  within  Tom  Moore's  Rocks  &  Marblehead  Rock  & 
then  entered  Marblehead  Harbour,  landed  on  the  Neck&  dined  with 
Capt.  Andrews  from  whom  we  received  everything  in  primitive 
hospitality.  After  dinner  we  sailed  for  Eagle  Island.  W^e  passed 
between  the  Breaker  &  the  eastern  Side  of  the  Island,  &  landed 
upon  a  flat  sided  rock  &  by  coming  too  far  westward  grounded  our 
boat  which  occasioned  some  trouble.     We  found  the  Island  laying 


94  DIARY  OF  [June 

nearly  north  &  south  a  point  from  the  southern  end  trending  wes- 
terly. The  northern  end  is  of  the  hard  rock,  but  the  southern  is 
altogether  of  the  Slate  rock.  The  Soil  is  lodged  on  the  tops  with 
steep  banks,  &  the  approach  sudden.  The  surface  is  covered  with 
a  variety  of  natural  plants  in  all  the  luxuriance  of  uncultivated 
nature.  We  reckoned  no  less  than  twenty  exclusively  of  the 
grasses,  &  some  bushes  &  shrubs,  &  even  wild  cherry  shrubs  higher 
than  the  head.  We  passed  through  in  a  path  running  the  length. 
When  we  had  launched  our  boat  we  returned  to  Salem.  The  Cen- 
tinel  represents  that  the  Vessels  lying  in  the  Port  of  Salem  at  the 
end  of  the  Embargo,  May  26,  usually  employed  in  the  Merchant's 
service,  were  66  Vessels,  6  Ships,  33  Brigantines,  26  Schooners,  1 
Sloop.  8,270  Tons.  All  belonging  to  Salem,  &  more  than  1/2  ton^ 
in  said  port. 

In  coming  up  we  passed  between  Coney  Island  &  the  Breakers  & 
found  some  breakers  below  the  range  of  the  Islands  &  dry  rocks, 
but  verging  northward  from  the  dry  rocks  then  out  of  water,  from 
one  hour  flood.  These  are  noticed  by  Holland.  Holland  has 
noticed  shoal  water  from  the  south  western  point  of  Eagle  Island, 
but  we  made  no  Soundings.  The  Ledge,  as  may  be  seen  from  the 
observations,  lay  on  the  other  side  of  the  Island,  &  has  no  connec- 
tion with  any  visible  point,  or  bed  of  rock,  but  was  well  out  of 
water,  &  of  considerable  surface. 

13.  Rochefontaine  intends  to  remedy  the  complaints  against 
forts  in  barbet  without  embrasures  by  raising  the  parapet,  &  eleva- 
ting the  guns  upon  high  &  new  constructed  carriages.  He  prefers 
the  situation  of  the  old  fort,  which  he  will  contract,  &  mentions 
two  cannon  at  the  Juniper. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Habaccuc  Bowditch,  d.  of  Son  &  Sons  at 
Sea.  Mary  Martin,  delivery,  d.  of  Brother,  Husband  &  Brother  at 
Sea.  Hannah  Collins,  d.  of  her  Father  Collins  &  Husb.  at  Sea. 
John  Collins  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Father  &  pr.  for  brother  at  Sea. 
Robert  Hill  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Father  Collins  &  pr.  for  Br.  at  Sea. 
Mary  Ledbetter,  d.  of  her  Father  Collins  &  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea. 
Margaret  Curtis,  d.  of  her  Brother  Collins.  Benj"*  Dean  &  Wife,  d. 
of  her  only  Brother  &  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Samuel  Webb  &  Wife, 
delivery  &  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

16.  News  from  S*  Helena  that  a  Brig  of  Gen.  Fiske's,  putting 
in  for  water  has  been  unladed  by  the  British,  &  detained.  Reports 
of  several  Vessels  released  at  Jamaica,  paying  costs.  M''  Gibaut  at 
my  request  tryed  an  experiment  upon  the  Orford  stone,  the  Stea- 
tites. He  found  the  size  not  diminished,  but  it  lost  an 
eleventh  part  of  its  weight,  was  cracked,  but  much  harder  than 
before,  so  as  to  defy  any  carpenter's  tools.  Its  colour  was  internally 
changed,  but  on  the  surface  it  had  only  the  effect  produced  by 
baking,  not  having  lost  its  original  colours  entirely. 

17.  Rochefontaine  has  been  staking  out  our  intended  new  fort. 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  96 

but  unluckily  this  is  one  of  the  peace  days,  when  it  is  reported  that 
Simcoe  has  reti'eated  beyond  the  Western  territory. 

18.  A  manufactory  for  woolens  has  been  erected  in  Newbury, 
By  field,  the  building  is  90  by  30,  &  of  three  stories. 

19.  Some  fine  showers  &  a  very  remarkably  noisy  time  with  the 
frogs  in  the  Common  ponds.  We  were  all  obliged  to  recollect  the 
well  known  story  of  the  Windham  frogs,  that  brought  the  good 
Connecticut  people  imder  arms.  As  Rochefontaine  has  staked  out 
the  fort,  it  will  be  within  the  present,  the  N.  W.  line  measuring,  by 
a  pole  about  12  feet  in  length,  IX.  The  N.  E.  VIII.,  the  S.  E.  IX., 
the  S.  W.  v.,  pacing  46,  39,  49,  26,  but  the  S.  W.line  is  the  present 
brick  wall,  «&  the  fort  is  to  be  continued  on  that  side  into  the  outer 
works,  &  the  barracks  are  to  be  removed. 

20.  Received  M""  Jordy  to  teach  me  the  German  pronunciation. 
M^  Curwin*  visited  me  this  afternoon.  He  is  80,  has  lately  re- 
turned from  England,  which  he  has  repeatedly  visited.  His  father 
a  minister  in  this  Town. 

21.  Pleasure  of  dining  with  Gen.  Eiske  in  the  company  of 
Gen.  Rochefontaine,  the  Engineer  appointed  to  survey,  &c.  forts, 
&c.  I  found  him  an  agreable  man. 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Eoye  &  Wife,  for  her  danger- 
ously sick.  Bethiah  Shehane,  delivery,  Husband  at  Sea.  Wrote 
the  Sermons  I  preached  this  day. 

26.  Visited  in  company  with  M"  Appleton,  Orne,  &  Saunders, 
the  family  of  M""  Fousset,  the  only  family  of  the  french  Refugees 
which  has  in  due  form  established  itself  in  Salem.  It  occupied 
the  mansion  house  of  Capt.  R.  Derby  deceased.  Several  Vessels 
have  arrived  from  Jamaica,  after  a  long  detention,  but  bring  \is  no 
interesting  intelligence.  One  of  the  Vessels  belonged  under  covert 
to  M'  Fousset. 

27.  Peter  Barasse,  an  Italian,  who  had  accumulated  a  decent  in- 
terest, sometime  since  returned  to  his  own  country,  &  settled  at 
Leghorn,  for  a  purer  religion  &  to  make  more  money,  among  a 
better  people.  But  Peter  has  returned,  &  shakes  his  head,  with  his 
purse  almost  empty,  regretting  his  adventure. 

28.  Last  night  a  Burglary  was  committed  upon  the  house  of 
M"^^  Clarke,  a  Shopkeeper  in  the  Old  Paved  street.  It  was  detected 
by  a  light  seen  through  the  key  hole,  by  the  Town  Watch,  which 
light  was  put  out,  when  the  watch  haled.  They  then  called  upon 
the  woman  of  the  House,  &  finding  her  family  in  bed,  beset  the 
house,  &  apprehended  the  offenders.  They  proved  to  have  been 
old  sinners,  who  have  been  heretofore  in  our  goal,  &  are  french 
men,  just  liberated  from  confinement. 

29.  Sunday.  Was  at  Marblehead.  Christened  there  a  child 
named  William  Williams.     Notes.     Sam'  Silsbee  Jun'  &  Wife,  d. 

*Samuel,  son  of  Rev.  George  Cnrwin,  Captain  in  the  Louisburg  expedition  and  a 
prominent  loyalist  whose  journals  have  been  printed. 


96  DIARY  OF  [July 

of  their  daughter.  Elizabeth  Chipman,  d.  of  her  eldest  daughter,  & 
Husband  &  Brother  at  Sea.  William  Foye  &  Wife,  again  for  her 
very  Low  &  Weak.  Elizabeth  Millet,  d.  of  her  g.  daugh :  Chipman 
&  Sons  at  Sea.  William  Peele  &  Wife  for  her  sick  of  a  Fever,  & 
Son  at  Sea.     Lydia  Peele  in  a  low  condition,  prayers. 

30.  The  girl  who  married  the  Mulatto  on  the  Neck  has  been 
found  guilty  of  obtaining  in  the  names  of  other  persons  &  conceal- 
ing effects,  &c.  So  certainly  will  the  want  of  character  produce 
such  consequences. 

July  1.  [1794]  This  was  the  day  for  the  visitation  of  the 
Schools,  but  as  it  was  very  hot,  &  notices  but  partially  given,  we 
had  not  a  very  excellent  feast.  We  entered  the  Central  Writing 
School  under  M''  Gray  about  10  A.  M.  We  had  reading,  &  speci- 
mens of  writing.  Among  the  writers  an  African  child  attracted 
notice  by  a  very  decent  hand  writing.  We  found  blacks  in  all  the 
the  writing  Schools,  but  no  one  to  be  compared  with  ISAAC 
AUGUSTUS.  In  the  Central  School  we  found  about  100  boys.  In 
the  eastern  School  under  Master  Lang  the  number  was  greater,  but 
the  Boys  were  smaller,  which  may  be  accounted  for  from  the  early 
employment  of  the  children  of  mariners,  &  perhaps  from  the  num- 
bers at  the  private  Schools  of  Watson  &  Southwick  which  are  near, 
and  at  which  are  such  as  are  able  [to]  finish  their  School  educa- 
tion. The  Master  was  not  prepared  for  us.  The  Children  read  a 
history  of  the  late  American  War  in  the  style  of  the  Scripture  his- 
tory, a  very  unsuitable  attempt  either  to  gain  reverence  to  the 
Scriptures  or  a  knowledge  of  Language.  Complaint  was  made  that 
by  the  elevation  of  the  windows  the  air  was  prevented  from  a  free 
circulation  among  the  children.  It  was  proposed  to  raise  the  Floor, 
&  not  admit  the  great  descent.  My  proposal  was  entirely  to  re- 
move the  partitions,  &  effectually  answer  the  purpose  of  giving  ven- 
tilation, a  floor  &  ample  room  to  the  Scholars.  We  then  passed  to 
the  Western  School  under  Master  Hacker.  He  is  esteemed  the  best 
writing  master.  He  declared  he  was  not  prepared,  &  his  specimens 
were  not  equal  to  the  last,  but  his  readers  were  the  best.  His  Boys 
were  largest.  We  saw  at  no  school  any  girls,  which  must  have  been 
a  pleasing  sight.  The  Boj'S  whose  writings  were  presented  to  me 
were  as  follows.  In  the  Central  School,  W"  Fogerty,  &  W"  Hunt, 
&  Isaac  Augustus,  a  Black.  In  the  East  School,  Jeremiah  Sheppard, 
&  Abram  Brown.  In  the  West  School,  G.  Cleaveland,  J.  J.  Cleave - 
land,  N.  Fisher  &  Isaac  Hacker.  From  the  Central  School  we 
passed  into  the  Grammar  School  which  is  over  it,  &  under  Master 
Rogers  we  found  it  flourishing.  Above  40  youth  was  a  sight  I  had 
never  before  seen,  &  considering  the  Master's  indisposition  the  per- 
formances were  pleasing.  Much  remains  to  be  done  in  order  to  ex- 
tend &  improve  this  exhibition  &  in  regard  to  the  grammar  School 
it  was  a  subject  of  conversation.  Upon  my  return  I  had  a  delight- 
ful beverage  with  that  valuable   Citizen   Deacon    Saunderson.     I 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  97 

must  continue  to  blame  the  Book  called  the  "  Economy  of  human 
life"  as  very  unfit  to  teach  the  English  language,  from  the  unnat- 
ural style,  &  oriental  manner  in  which  it  is  written.  And  "Perry's  " 
division  of  syllables  is  too  much  in  Scottish  manner  to  suit  my 
prejudices  from  the  former  usage. 

3.  This  day  died  suddenly  Robert  Hooper,  aet.  68,  a  batchelor. 
He  dined  as  usual  &  went  to  Gen.  Abbot's  to  purchase  a  few  arti- 
cles for  himself  &  his  mother  with  whom  he  lived,  she  being  aet. 
88.  He  sunk  down  in  the  Shop,  &  was  dead  instantly.  He  has 
long  embarrassed  the  laying  out  of  ferry  lane  by  his  land  which 
projects  at  the  eastern  corner,  &  has  been  laid  out  by  the  sessions, 
&  advanced  for  by  subscription,  but  not  yet  to  his  expectations. 
His  miserable  buildings  stand  upon  the  intended  road.  He  was  a 
man  of  good  natural  parts,  talkative,  great  integrity,  &  has  by  econ- 
omy &  industry  made  a  piece  of  land,  less  than  an  acre,  from  his  As- 
paragus, &c.,  with  a  little  assistance,  give  him  a  livelihood.  Every 
one  seemed  to  regard  Robert  in  spite  of  his  singularities.  Capt.  B. 
West  received  the  body  into  his  house  from  which  it  is  to  be  in- 
terred. He  is  in  some  way  related.  Robert  has  of  late  complained 
of  the  Rheumatism,  &c.,  but  has  enjoyed  a  state  of  health  without 
any  confinement,  or  particular  interruption. 

4.  The  day  of  independance.  Our  only  celebration  consisted  in 
firing  guns  at  noon,  sundown  &  the  evening  upon  North  Field 
bridge  with  a  few  huzzas  of  such  as  were  assembled. 

10.  The  College  Lottery  is  granted  to  build  another  Hall  for 
the  use  of  the  Students.  This  liberty  for  building  Colleges,  &  meet- 
ing Houses  seems  a  public  licence  to  the  clergy  for  speculation,  which 
many  of  them  chearfully  embrace. 

12.  Wind.  And  tried  our  new  Wind  mill  without  success. 
Either  from  the  construction,  or  friction,  the  mill  would  not  go.* 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Peele  &  Wife,  d.  of  g.  child,  her 
sick,  &  Son  at  Sea.  Widow  Lydia  Peele,  d.  of  g.  child  &  daughter 
low.  Lydia  Peele  for  herself  low.  Sarah  Martin  very  low.  Wil- 
liam Foye  &  Wife  for  her  very  low. 

14.  A  Miss  P.  from  Boston,  at  whose  house  the  Son  of  D'  Priest- 
ley put  up,  says,  that  he  had  most  forbidding  manners,  &  except- 
ing a  very  few  persons,  had  no  favour  of  the  visitants  at  the  House 
who  condemned  his  austere  reserve. 

15.  Accompanied  M"  Smith  &  Miss  Philips  to  spend  the  day 
at  Col.  Orne's,  Marblehead.  The  Col.  was  not  at  home,  but  his 
wife,  &  the  Nieces  received  us  with  great  attention.  After  tea  we 
returned  by  the  way  of  Brown's  Farm  after  a  ride  upon  the  Beach. 
At  half  tide  the  Little  Harbour  within  Orne's  Island,  seems  to  have 
its  center  within  the  Island,  extending  its  arms  like  the  five  fingers, 
the  longest  arm  toward  the  west,  another  not  so  long,  more  south- 

*Probabl7  Richardson's  on  East  street. 


98  DIARY  OF  [July- 

ward,  another  between  the  island  and  main,  &  another  at  the 
entrance.  The  fishermen  were  washing  out  their  fish.  At  the  pond 
above  the  Burying  ground,  were  whole  families  washing  their  cloaths. 
The  water  is  said  to  be  excellent  for  the  purpose. 

16.  I  arose  early  &  went  to  Cambridge  to  be  present  at  Com- 
mencement. I  was  a  little  embarassed  by  the  company  of  a  french- 
man, M.  DuFilhol,  an  entire  stranger.  I  went  with  him  to  Boston, 
over  the  new  Bridge,  which  received  all  the  Company  of  the  day, 
so  that  the  old  path  through  Charleston  was  not  trodden  more  than 
on  a  common  day.  The  concourse  was  extraordinary,  &  the  whole 
closed  without  any  disorder.  The  class  was  not  large.  The  Col- 
lege have  a  Lottery  to  provide  for  the  building  a  new  Hall  for  the 
Students.  I  found  the  Tutors  all  strangers.  The  Library  has  had 
few  late  editions.  M""  Winthrop  was  asked  an  explanation  of  his 
charge  that  I  was  to  be  an  answerer  to  his  Book  on  the  Apocalypse. 
This  whimsical  work  shews  my  friend  to  have  grown  learnedly 
delirious. 

17.  On  Thursday  I  was  introduced  to  a  disciple  of  Baron  Swe- 
denborg,  by  name  William  Hill,  who  boards  at  M"  Chadwick's  at 
whose  house  IVP  Winthrop  dines.  He  is  a  man  who  strongly  recom- 
mends himself  by  a  marked  countenance,  bearing  a  vigorous  eye,  & 
a  very  benevolent  disposition.  I  found  him  possessed  of  all  the 
strongest  attachments  to  the  opinions  of  the  Baron,  &  with  all  the 
means  of  defence.  He  has  given  a  Copy  of  the  Baron's  works  to 
the  library  at  Cambridge  &  has  an  ample  store  of  the  best  defence 
of  his  works  in  english.  He  has  a  fine  portrait  of  his  friend  the 
Rev*^  M""  Cloughes  of  Manchester,  to  whom  he  expresses  the  warm- 
est attachment.  And  another  friend,  whose  name  he  does  not  men- 
tion. These  are  drawn  so  exquisitely  as  to  urge  the  sympathies  of 
a  Swedenborger,  &  to  produce  the  correspondence  of  a  Lavater.  He 
furnished  me  with  a  small  Volume  of  Dialogues  from  which  I 
might  collect  the  leading  opinions  of  the  New  Jerusalem  Church, 
established  on  the  Baron's  writings.  M""  Hill  has  been  kind  enough 
to  lend  me  several  other  volumes  for  my  further  instruction  &  has 
presented  an  head  of  Swedenborg.  I  felt  a  sincere  love  for  the  man 
&  urged  his  visits  repeatedly.  Went  to  Boston  &  visited  my  re- 
lations. 

18.  Returned  to  take  charge  of  my  pupil,  &  found  my  instruc- 
tions were  not  without  effect,  I  recommended  to  him  to  read  cor- 
rectly, &  to  write  his  latin  grammatically.  I  told  him  that  to  do 
these  things  well  would  ensure  him  the  favour  he  wished.  My 
tarry  gave  me  an  opportunity  to  collect  a  few  pamphlets  respecting 
the  affairs  of  the  day,  both  sermons  &  other  things. 

19.  I  received  my  pupil,  &  returned  to  Salem.  The  day  was 
hot.     Was  happy  in  returning  to  my  old  bathing  place. 

20.  Sunday.  William  Foye,  d.  of  his  wife.  Wid  :  Mary  Masu- 
ry,  d.  of  her  daughter  &  sons  at  Sea.     Martha  Chard,  d.  of  sister, 


1794]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  99 

&  husband  &  sons  at  Sea.  Ruth  Briggs,  for  her  delivery.  Lydia 
Peele,  for  herself,  apprehended  near  to  death.  John  Hill  &  wife 
for  her  delivery, 

21.     Busy  iu  repairing  my  room. 

24.  The  Manchester  people  have  asked  supplies  for  their  pul- 
pit, I  hope  not  with  the  same  views  as  Weuham,  to  discard  us,  or 
rather  for  us  to  exhibit  the  same  folly,  in  making  no  exertions  to 
unite  a  people  with  ourselves.  There  must  be  a  want  of  vigour  in 
the  clergy,  or  their  leaders. 

25.  I  have  never  possessed  so  much  tranquility  as  when  I  have 
concealed  innocently  my  opinions  of  man  without  offence. 

26.  Spent  the  day  on  the  water  party,  but  our  Boat  grounded  on 
the  Eocks  we  being  deceived  by  the  beach  above  the  water,  &  driv- 
mg  on.  The  entrances  to  the  beaches  on  each  side  of  us  were  free. 
We  tai'iied  7  hours,  &  reached  the  harbour  after  nine  in  the  even- 
ing. We  struck  the  rocks  above  the  Beacon  on  the  Point  oppo- 
site the  Town.  We  laboured  hard  in  the  water  to  launch  the  boat 
at  Cat  Island  but  were  at  last  obliged  to  wait  a  whole  tide.  Cap** 
Gibaut  &  Silsbee  were  with  me,  &  the  Servants. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joseph  Valpy  &  Wife,  her  delivery, 
Brother  at  Sea.  Eunice  Cooper,  on  sudden  death  of  her  Son. 
Warm  day  this  for  a  congregation. 

28.  Spent  this  day  in  painting  chamber,  &  making  preparations 
for  it.  The  subject  of  restitution  now  revives.  The  report  of 
good  voyages  tends  to  efface  all  former  ill  impressions. 

30.  There  was  early  an  appearance  of  fire  towards  Boston. 
From  the  alarm  I  immediately  went  for  Boston,  &  found  a  fire  had 
made  tremendous  havock  upon  the  part  of  the  Town  above  the 
Bopewalks  beyond  fort  Hill.  A  very  beautiful  part  of  the  Town 
was  destroyed.  There  was  a  great  loss  of  furniture  from  the  sudden 
force  of  the  fire,  the  wind  being  fresh  from  the  northern  to  the 
eastern  point.  This  afternoon  I  saw  the  execution  of  the  three 
pirates,  under  condemnation  for  the  murder  of  Wood.  They  were 
attended  by  a  catholic  priest,  &  behaved  with  great  decency. 

31.  Busied  myself  in  cleaning  Clock  for  the  family.  Such  trials 
of  mechanic  skill  are  not  amiss,  &  perhaps  an  institution  like  that 
of  the  Jesuits  will  be  useful,  when  we  execrate  their  intentions. 

Aug.  1.  [1794]  Had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  M"^  Osgood  &  family, 
with  the  blisses  Franklin,  the  children  of  his  wife's  former  marriage, 
at  Gen.  Fiske's. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Hosmer,  delivery,  Husb.  &  Br.  at 
Sea.  Good  singing  &  Congregation  as  full  as  common,  tho'  weather 
lowry.  A  young  woman  in  a  family  dear  to  me,  published  to  a 
frenchman  sans  mjeurs  &  sans  goute,  and  without  property,  covered 
with  debts,  &  the  most  unhappy  suspicions  of  necessity. 

5.  Corpus  w*  193  lb.  Our  voyages  to  the  W.  Indies  will  not  be 
so  great  as  we  expected. 


100  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

7.  Green,  an  anabaptist  preacher,  lias  been  attacking  some  of 
our  Clergy  &  tho'  Green  was  the  aggressor  in  fact,  yet  in  the 
gazette  he  was  provoked  by  scurrility.  The  low  wit  of  both  parties 
is  \ipon  Green  &  Peak,  the  anabaptists,  &  Prentiss  &  Sergeant,  the 
Congregationalists. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Lydia  Peele,  d.  of  her  eldest 
daughter,  &  Son  at  Sea.  Hannah  Taylor,  d.  of  her  Sister  Peele, 
Husb.  &  Brother  at  Sea.  AV"  Peele  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  friend,  & 
Son  at  Sea.  Thorn.  Masury,  ret  :  from  Sea,  d.  of  his  Sister  in  his 
absence.  James  Collins,  ret.  from  Sea,  d.  of  his  Father  in  his  ab- 
sence. Bradstreet  Parker  &  wife,  her  delivery,  Sarah  Hodges, 
her  delivery,  Husb.  &  Brother  at  Sea. 

12.  Our  association  at  Bernard's  &  the  Candidate  for  Lynn  to 
be  ordained  on  the  morrow,  officiated.  His  situation  is  critical. 
The  point  of  a  dismission  to  be  given  by  the  Church  to  the  former 
Minister  as  a  member  in  good  standing,  is  yet  a  question  to  em- 
barass  their  affairs. 

13.  Being  the  day  for  ordination  at  Lynn  I  went  with  Captain 
Gibout,  but  finding  ourselves  early  we  rode  to  Nahant,  which  we 
found  to  be  full,  &  after  refreshment  retarned,  but  were  too  late 
for  the  services,  &  so  rode  on  to  Philips'  Beach  where  we  fished, 
drank  Tea,  &  then  returned.  When  I  rode  last  I  found  them  re- 
pairing the  road  from  Philips'  Beach  towards  Marblehead,  &  upon 
this  visit  I  found  they  had  taken  all  the  gates  away.  I  rode  for 
the  first  time  towards  Philips'  Beach  from  Lynn.  We  passed  the 
Friends'  meeting  house  above  1/4  of  a  mile  keeping  the  right 
hand  road,  till  we  came  to  the  place  where  the  open  road  inclines 
to  the  left,  &  then  entered  the  Gate,  &  soon  afterwards  another 
Gate,  &  found  a  good  road  down  to  Needham's  Beach.  We  rode  a 
little  way  upon  the  Beach  &  then  mounted  the  upland  &  opened  a 
Gate  at  Blaney's,  &  then  passed  over  the  Beach  &  opened  a  Gate 
at  Philips',  &  there  we  found  our  accommodations.  They  reckon 
from  Philips'  to  the  Friends'  meeting  2  1/2  miles.  Allowing  four 
miles  1/2  to  Philips'  the  distance  cannot  much  exceed  in  this  way 
to  Nahant,  &  a  better  road  it  is  now  than  Salem  cross  road,  or 
Marblehead  great  Road,  excepting  the  gates  for  which  we  are  re- 
paid in  the  water  prospects,  &  the  fields  in  which  we  pass. 

14.  We  had  the  launching  of  a  Schooner  for  Cap*  B.  West,  as 
part  of  the  amusement  of  the  day,  at  Frye's  mills,  burden  80  tons. 
These  occasions  collect  much  people  &  detain  them  just  long  enough 
to  avoid  fatigue  &  excess. 

15.  The  partiality  to  the  french  has  never  been  more  visible 
than  in  the  various  attempts  to  explain  away  the  naval  victory  ob- 
tained over  them.  Every  Construction  has  been  forced,  but  the 
facts  remain. 

17.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jon*  Mason  &  Wife,  d.  of  G.  Son,  drowned, 
absent  friends,  Saunders.     Hannah  Taylor,  delivery,   d.   of  Child 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  101 

Husb.  &  Broth,  at  Sea.     Susannah  Jeffrey,  delivery,  Husb.  at  Sea. 
Sam^  Derby  &  Wife,  delivery. 

18.  We  hear  the  noted  Winchester  is  dealing  largely  upon  the 
prophesies  in  Boston,  &  designates  the  coining  of  Jesus  upon  earth, 
the  city  into  which  he  is  to  enter,  &  the  plan  of  heaven  with 
greater  freedom  than  any  former  prophet  whatever.  Capt.  Stephen 
Hall,  who  was  brought  into  Town  &  buried  from  on  board  Vessel, 
which  entered  last  week,  has  suffered  from  the  detention  in  the 
Spanish  West  Indies.     He  was  deemed  a  worthy  man. 

20.  Was  taken  in  our  harbour  the  Fish,  commonly  called 
"  Thresher."  It  was  distroyed  before  I  could  obtain  a  sight  of  it. 
From  the  discription,  it  was  above  twelve  feet  long,  &  had  a  Tail  as 
it  was  called  "  six  feet  out  of  water,"  with  which  it  was  threshing 
the  water,  among  the  alewives  who  visit  our  coasts  at  this  season 
in  abundance.  It  has  never  been  seen  here  before,  tho'  often  in  the 
great  Seas. 

21.  For  the  first  time  the  neiv  Market  House  was  open  for  the 
purposes  of  selling  provisions,  &c.  The  Building  is  compleat  out- 
side &  finished  below.  The  opinions  are  different  widely  as  to  the 
success,  &  the  advantages.     It  is  built  by  proprietors. 

22.  Reports  are  various  as  to  the  restitution  which  engages  the 
public  attention.  Some  predicting  the  most  amicable  adjustments, 
while  others  pronounce  the  most  unfavourable  symptoms.  The 
public  companies  include  three  classes,  your  fortune  hunters,  &  for- 
tune keepers,  &  your  irritable  folks,  two  against  one. 

23.  The  Friends  at  Lynn  permitted  grave  stones,  till  the  Breth- 
ren from  Europe  discouraged  it,  &  then  they  removed  them.  The 
Methodists  at  Lynn  raise  their  money  by  a  free  contribution  every 
Sunday,  by  quarterly  contributions,  &  by  the  contributions  of  the 
Classes.  The  three  parties  in  this  Town  are  nearly  equal.  The 
Friends  are  the  most  respectable  Landed  Interest. 

24.  Sunday.  Xotes.  Widow  Mary  Bates,  d.  of  her  Son  Ben- 
jamin, G.  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Mary  Becket,  d.  of  her  Brother  Bates, 
Sons  at  Sea.  Hannah  Malcom,  d.  of  her  Brother  B.,  Husband  & 
children  absent.  Joseph  Crookshanks  &  Wife,  for  him  dang,  sick, 
&  her  Son  at  Sea.  James  Archer  &  Wife,  her  delivery.  Brothers 
at  Sea.     Samuel  Swasey  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  Friends  at  Sea. 

25.  Dined  at  Gen.  Fiske's  with  Madam  Hancock.  The  ungrate- 
ful wretch  our  present  Governour,*  after  every  abuse,  having 
cringed  to  his  late  excellency,  has  never  noticed  his  widow  since  his 
decease,  as  he  has  now  no  dependance  upon  her.  The  meanness  of 
this  wretch  is  beyond  disci'iption.  Was  in  South  Fields  at  Briggs.' 
He  possesses  4  acres  as  a  purchase  at  about  £200,  &  is  well  accomo- 
dated for  Ship  Building. 

26.  A  Gust  Avith  Thunder  Storm.  A  Boat  below  the  Town  was 
upset,  &  all  perished.     There  were  three  persons.     Skipper  Peters, 

*SaraueI  Adams. 


102  DIAKY    OF  [Aug. 

set,  62,  his  grandson,  &  a  noted  Negro,  called  The  Doctor.     It  was 
a  large  Moses  Boat  rigged  Sloopwise. 

27.  The  old  Gentleman  &  his  G.  Son  were  found  on  west  Beach 
about  two  miles  below  the  place  in  which  the  Boat  sunk,  &  the 
oars  with  them,  so  that  probably  they  swam  a  great  distance,  & 
early  relief  would  have  saved  them.  In  the  Gazette  we  have  an 
attested  Copy  of  the  number  of  Vessels  adjudicated  in  the  West 
Indies,  exceeding  three  hundred,  from  the  records  of  the  Office  of 
Department  of  State.  Whether  all  were  finally  condemned  is  not 
determined. 

28.  By  Newbury  we  have  the  reports  of  the  taking  of  Ostend 
by  the  French.  The  people  could  not  refrain  from  public  expres- 
sion of  their  Joy,  &  the  Cannon  were  fired  from  the  wharves  before 
Sunset  in  this  Town.  M"*  Carleton  has  returned,  having  in  Twen- 
ty days,  visited  Baltimore  in  the  usual  Stages  &  Packets,  &  paid 
visits  in  the  principal  places.  The  time  has  now  arrived  when  we 
are  openly  called  in  question  for  our  opinions,  &  when  we  must 
answer  the  clumsy  objections  which  ignorance  swelled  with  wealth 
may  puff  at  us.  M'"  Paine's  age  of  reason  will  have  strange  effects 
on  mankind. 

29.  M""  Jordy  exhibited  an  account  by  which  he  brought  me  in 
debt  for  his  former  visits,  &  put  my  charities  bestowed  upon  him, 
as  part  of  the  credit.  I  dismissed  the  vile  fellow  forever.  Went 
with  Capt.  Gibaut  &  Capt.  G.  G.  Smith  into  the  Bay,  but  I  was 
very  sick  from  the  motion  of  the  water.  Our  small  fishing  was  ex- 
cellent near  the  piffs  which  we  visited  at  full  tide.  They  then  ap- 
peared in  four  parts,  the  highest  being  furthest  off  shore,  &  the 
next  within  it,  &  the  other  two  lying  at  opposite  points  were  lower. 
Their  angles  were  entirely  worn  off  by  the  continued  action  of  the 
sea.  We  fished  on  the  S.  W.  side  of  the  innermost  in  several 
fathom  of  water  close  too,  &  found  a  very  great  number  of  Shags 
on  the  rocks,  which  dispersed  upon  our  approach.  The  Rocks  lying 
in  the  two  heads  are  well  out  of  water  at  all  times.  The  four 
groups  at  high  water  seemed  to  have  a  bason  within  them,  which 
looks  less  regular  when  the  tide  ebbs.  They  lay  three  miles  from 
the  shore  opposite  to  the  Beach  where  Salem  divides  Lynn  &  Mar- 
blehead. 

30.  Spent  the  afternoon  agreably  at  Derby's  farm,  at  which 
Master  Lang  &  myself  were  regaled  with  the  excellent  fruit  & 
gratified  with  the  beauty  of  the  works  of  art  by  Avhich  the  spot  is 
decorated.  We  went  up  by  Gardner's  &  returned  by  Prescot's 
Tomb,  crossing  homewards  into  the  road  opposite  to  that  leading 
to  Orne's  Farm. 

31.  Sunday.  Mary  Crookshanks  &  Children,  d.  of  her  husband 
&  a  Son  at  Sea.      Rachel  Swasey,  delivery.  Husband  at  Sea. 

Sept.  1.  [1794]  Obtained  of  Foster  his  Theodolite  &  Chain, 
out  of  repair,  but  for  present  use.    I  am  sorry  that  I  have  meddled 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  103 

with  the  matter.  This  day  we  were  to  have  begun  our  survey  of 
the  Town,  but  the  characters  in  which  we  are  to  act  are  not  well 
defined. 

3.  INF  John  Derby  fell  from  the  Chaise  upon  the  Pavement  in 
consequence  of  an  attempt  to  leap  out,  the  bits  of  the  Horse  having 
given  way,  &  is  much  hurt.  Had  a  walk  from  the  fort  with  Gen. 
Eochefontaine.  He  has  been  laying  out  the  fort  &  buildings,  & 
the  work  is  to  begin  immediately. 

4.  Engaged  on  our  Survey.  Cap*  Gibaut  managed  the  Theodo- 
lite. M'"  Bowditch  the  offsets,  &  kept  the  Book.  M'  Ward  was 
Provider  &  assistant,  &  Messieurs  Boise  &  Teague  were  the  Chain- 
men.  We  began  at  the  extreme  part  of  Salem  on  the  Boston  road, 
&  travelled  homewards.  We  were  repeatedly  interrupted  by  the 
rain  &  reached  only  to  Butt  brook.  At  the  bend  below  Oliver's  we 
made  a  perpendicular  offset  of  20  links,  &  at  the  cross  road  leading 
through  Danvers  eastward  we  made  a  Triangle  to  avoid  the  bushes 
&  by  this  triangle  kept  the  road.  We  passed  into  the  pastures  be- 
low this  offset,  &  our  station  was  on  the  Hill  before  Butt  Brook. 
The  whole  formed  seven  stations  of  which  the  last  but  one  was 
above  2000  feet,  &  the  last  much  longer.  We  observed  the 
eminences  &  steeples  as  we  passed,  &  noted  the  Houses,  buildings. 
Rocks  &  antient  names,  &c. 

5.  Capt.  J.  Derby  still  lays  in  a  state  of  insensibility.  D'' 
Warren  of  Boston  has  visited  him.  The  Swellings  prevent  any  de- 
termination respecting  his  case. 

6.  We  went  over  to  Marblehead  side.  Capt.  Ward,  Saunderson, 
Korris  &  Waldo,  Selectmen,  Gibaut  &  Bowditch,  Surveyors,  with 
attendants,  &  met  the  Marblehead  Selectmen,  Sewall,  Lee,  Hooper, 
Foster,  Watson,  &c.  They  questioned  our  bounds  at  the  Stump  in 
the  front  of  Gen.  Glover's  House.  We  first  measured  from  the 
Stones  in  the  pasture  83  rods  home  to  the  House,  &  found  an 
agreement.  We  measured  from  Darling's  Cellar  &  found  to  agree, 
the  only  difficulty  was  from  the  house  6  poles,  but  as  this  was  a 
new  house,  &  the  bounds,  were  home  upon  the  Road,  we  hesitated 
not  to  confirm  the  tradition,  &  to  persist  in  our  boundary  mark. 
Afternoon  we  went  to  the  Shore  &  fixed  the  bounds  there.  We 
took  a  base  of  10  Chains  on  the  Beach  to  settle  the  Islands,  &  hav- 
ing fixed  stations  at  the  end  of  our  line,  on  the  hill  before  Fowle's, 
&  at  the  Beach,  we  advanced  on  to  measure  this  line,  having  offsets 
at  the  run  of  water  within  the  beach,  &  then  to  avoid  the  swamp, 
and  the  pond  which  lay  just  above.  We  fixed  a  station  higher 
than  Philip's  house,  upon  which  with  a  painted  board  was  a  mark 
to  be  seen  above  the  Trees  as  far  as  the  Hill  before  Fowle's.  Capt. 
Goodhue  furnished  a  plan  of  the  great  Pasture. 

7.  Sunday.  Judith  Archer,  delivery.  Husband  &  Brethren  at 
Sea.     Noah  Hobart  &  Wife,  Her  delivery. 

8.  This  morning  Capt.  J.  Derby  revived  so  as  to  speak  the  first 


104  DIARY  OP  [Sept. 

time  since  his  fall  from  the  Chaise  110  hours  before.  He  has  laid 
without  sense  of  feeling,  but  without  any  other  observable  sense. 
He  received  into  the  mouth  without  notice,  he  was  not  agitated  by 
any  sounds.  His  eyes  were  closed  by  the  swelled  bruises  upon  the 
temples.  On  Saturday  a  blister  was  applied  to  the  head,  &  the 
head  shaved,  &  on  Sunday  Warren  &  Jar  vis  of  Boston  opened  the 
Temples  &  scraped  the  bones  to  observe  any  possible  fracture,  & 
they  found  none.  Since  his  speaking  he  has  been  kept  still,  &  we 
wait  for  consequences.  We  went  upon  our  Survey.  We  defined  the 
line  from  Salem  bounds  at  the  beach  to  Gen.  Glover's,  running  N. 
60  W.  &  cleared  the  General's  Store  &  House.  We  then  took  a 
perpendicular  to  the  Marblehead  from  the  Lynn  line  which  gave  32 
rods,  which  would  be  exceeded  by  the  Angle  at  the  Generals.  We 
passed  the  hill  &  Cliff  &  took  the  distance  from  the  latter  to  the 
Stones  at  the  Road  by  angles  in  the  Road. 

9.  Association  at  my  House.  Present,  Rev.  Bernard,  Prince, 
Wadsworth,  Story,  Hubbard,  Thatcher.  M""  Story  preached.  M' 
Thatcher  of  Lynn  joined  us.  A  very  pleasant  day.  Col.  Pickman, 
Gen.  Fiske,  &  Master  Rogers  dined  with  us. 

10.  From  my  absence  yesterday  I  was  not  able  to  observe  the 
survey  from  Lynn  road  to  Spring  pond.  We  began  this  day  at  the 
stones  upon  the  head  between  the  branches  of  the  pond,  leaving 
little  of  the  pond  on  the  side  of  the  Spring  in  Lynn,  but  a  consid- 
erable part  of  the  branch  toward  the  road.  We  then  took  a  direct 
course  towards  Boston  Road.  After  our  repast  we  returned  to  sur- 
vey the  Pond,  &  while  the  Surveyors  were  employed  I  perambu- 
lated. I  found  that  the  highland  in  which  the  Spring  was  found 
was  nearly  seperated  by  water  from  the  surrounding  hills.  Just 
beyond  the  Pond  was  another  Pond,  &  opposite  to  it  a  cleared 
Swamp  which  was  drained  into  Spring  Pond  by  Lynn  Branch. 
The  place  where  the  house  &  buildings  formerly  stood  was  dis- 
covered as  above,  at  the  perambulation,  which  see.  At  the  house 
the  spring  is  upon  the  right  hand.  Just  beyond  is  a  pond,  whose 
greatest  length  might  be,  as  I  had  no  compass,  easterly  &  westerly, 
surrounded  with  bush  &  Swamp,  &  not  12*^''  part  of  the  dimensions 
of  the  Spring  Pond.  There  were  foot  paths  &  a  road  as  if  leading 
from  hence  to  a  settled  part  of  the  country.  Leaving  this  pond 
which  cannot  be  deep,  because  the  pond  lillies  grow  across  it,  leav- 
ing only  the  eastern  side  clear,  yet  on  all  sides  inaccessable  without 
wading.  Pursuing  the  road  which  led  directly  to  the  houses  at  Flax 
pond,  easterly  I  found  another  pond,  whose  easterly  bound  was  high, 
&  opposite  towards  Flax  pond  low.  It  had  an  house  at  the  south- 
ern end,  &  on  the  westerly  side  through  low  ground  communicated 
with  Flax  pond.  On  the  northern  Hills  is  to  be  seen  Nahant  & 
Rock,  the  Settlements  near  the  friends'  meeting,  the  Full  Ocean,  the 
Outer  &  Inner  part  of  Lynn  Bay,  the  Middle  is  covered  by  a  Hill, 
the  Blue  Hills  beyond  Boston,  Islands  &  Light  House,  &c.     There 


1794]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  105 

are  3  Houses  between  the  Flax  Pond  &  the  oblong  Pond  east  of  it. 
This  Pond  is  clear  &  3  times  larger  than  that  near  Spring  Pond. 
The  Pond  near  Spring  Pond  is  banked  out  from  it  by  nature,  & 
takes  a  passage  through  the  Next  Pond  south  of  it  into  Flax  Pond, 
&  so  into  Lynn  Bay,  while  Spring  Pond  flows  into  Salem  Bay. 
The  Pond  near  Spring  Pond  may  be  higher  than  Spring,  &  may 
not  the  Spring  be  occasioned  by  this  Circumstance  ?  While  the 
Company  were  employed  on  the  Southerly  side,  I  travelled  round 
the  other  sides  of  Spring  Pond  from  the  Spring  quite  round  to  the 
outlet,  &  found  it  one  uniform  gravelly  surface,  with  large  stones 
worn  smooth  as  beach  or  paving  stones,  excepting  only  where  the 
stagnant  waters  had  gathered  a  slime  as  at  the  heads  of  the  two 
branches,  &  in  the  curve  of  the  high  Hill  which  stands  bold  upon 
the  northern  shore,  «&  in  which  three  places  alone  did  I  discover 
any  pond  Lillies,  in  all  other  places  the  shore  was  clear  in  its 
waters,  &  it  was  uniformly  stony  bottom.  Near  all  the  high  lands 
there  were  Eocks  two  feet  out  of  water,  &  they  were  multiplied 
near  the  highest  land  which  was  the  northern  hill.  There  were 
some  Stones  at  the  Bottom  of  a  Path  over  the  gi-eat  Hill  which 
were  put  to  form  a  landing  place,  &  probably  when  the  little  farm 
adjoining  &  laying  on  Boston  road,  was  a  Seat  of  pleasure  to  the 
Proprietors.  In  travelling  downwards  from  the  Spring  I  endeav- 
oured to  keep  the  Course  of  the  outlet,  but  at  the  first  fence  was 
obliged  to  retreat  at  some  distance  by  the  thick  woods,  chiefly  pine, 
&  the  course  of  the  water  seemed  embarassed,  but  below  at  a  live 
spring  the  waters  had  abundant  recruits  from  the  side  nearest  the 
road,  &  together  they  formed  a  beautiful  stream,  not  inferior  to 
that  which  passes  from  the  other  ponds  through  Lynn,  &  in  both 
which  the  alewives  are  found  in  great  plenty  in  the  spring  of  the 
year.  Prom  the  Swamp  between  the  two  ranges  of  hills  below, 
this  stream  has  another  supply,  which  is  constant,  &  besides  the 
waters  drained  from  the  Lands  &  Roads  the  Stream  is  quite  re- 
spectable at  Butt  Brook,  where  they  are  so  named  when  passing 
the  Bridge  in  the  Road,  at  the  place  where  the  Road  falls  altogether 
into  Danvers  division  from  hence  towards  Salem.  I  observed  the 
bed  of  the  Stream  very  much  resembled  the  bed  of  the  Pond  below 
the  junction  of  water,  where  the  soil  was  compleatly  washed  away. 
M"^  Bernard  of  this  Town  has  received  a  degree  of  Doctor  in  Divin- 
ity from  the  College  in  Providence,  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island. 

11.  Cap*  Derby  lies  in  a  high  delirium  so  as  to  leave  his  fate 
uncertain.  Ground  has  been  broken  from  the  Port,  &  they  are  now 
blowing  a  bed  of  rocks  in  the  ground,  where  the  Magazine  is  to  be 
planted.  This  afternoon  I  received  a  letter  from  D''  Swett  of  New- 
bury Port,  recommending  the  Bearers,  two  Gentlemen  from  Algiers, 
who  have  lately  arrived  in  that  Port  from  Rotterdam,  in  Capt. 
Edmund  Wingate,  &  are  travelling  onward  to  Philadelphia.  Be- 
sides the  testimony  of  the  chapter  at  Newbury    Port,    signed  by 


106  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

Gage,  Greenleaf,  Tucker,  &  Swett,  &  b}'  the  Secretary  Osborne, 
they  have  testimonials  from  the  Peace  Officer,  of  their  good  con- 
duct in  that  place,  M'"  Pike,  &  exhibit  the  many  testimon- 
ials from  abroad.  General  Fiske  was  kind  enough  to  take  them 
to  his  house,  where  they  are  at  present.  Their  purposes  are  un- 
known as  well  as  their  persons.  They  provoke  the  public  ciu-iosity 
b}-  their  dress,  &:  when  they  enter  the  streets,  are  followed  by  the 
children  in  crowds. 

12.  The  public  opinion  is  free  about  my  Algerines.  Some  say 
they  are  vagabonds,  who  have  been  in  the  West  Indies.  Others 
detest  the  nation  &  breath  the  spirit  of  retaliation,  &  the  greatest 
uncertainty  arises  how  to  conduct  towards  them.  Gen.  Piske  has 
received  them  with  his  usual  humanity,  but  he  is  capable  of  being 
moved  by  the  public  opinion. 

13.  I  found  my  Algerines  not  disposed  to  start  &  represented 
the  nature  of  my  obligations  on  Sunday,  &  the  expectations  of  Gen. 
Fiske  respecting  the  visits  of  his  friends,  &  so  disposed  them  to 
accept  a  Chaise  &  boy  to  carry  them  to  Boston.  They  seemed  dis- 
satisfied that  a  Lodge  was  not  opened  to  receive  them,  particularly 
when  they  found  that  the  donation  they  were  to  receive  was  small, 
5  dollars  from  the  Master  &  gold  23^7  from  Capt.  H.  Derby,  vnth. 
my  provision  for  their  Journey  free  of  expence.  But  as  there  were 
different  opinions  respecting  the  persons  &  their  designs,  &  a  gen- 
eral distress  in  the  public  mind  respecting  our  suffering  brethren  in 
Algiers,  it  was  thought  best  to  conve}'  them  onward  in  the  most 
speedy  &  quiet  manner.  We  drew  a  letter  to  the  G.  Master,  which 
was  signed  by  the  Master  Esq'  Pulling  &  myself,  stating  the  man- 
ner in  which  they  were  conveyed  to  us,  &  our  assurances  of  their 
demeanour  in  a  peaceable  manner,  but  that  we  had  not  opened  the 
Lodge.  Gen.  Fiske  entertained  them  free  of  expence  while  they 
were  here,  furnished  them  with  cloaths  when  they  departed,  &  gave 
them  with  his  usual  bount}-,  money,  when  they  bid  him  farewell. 
They  have  letters  for  the  Governour  in  Boston,  &  we  wish  them 
well. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Majore,  delivery,  husband,  & 
Brother  at  Sea.  Pleasant  &  warm  Sunday,  evening  service  at  2 
o'clock. 

15.  Blowing  Rocks  at  the  Fort  to  prepare  for  the  Magazine,  & 

5  Soldiers  are  already  enlisted  to  be  stationed  in  the  Fort. 

17.  This  day  was  spent  in  the  Survey  upon  the  neck.  We 
crossed  from  Planter's  Marsh  to  the  Pest  House,  &  found  a  greater 
quantity  &  depth  of  water  than  we  imagined.  On  the  preceeding 
evening  swimming  with  the  chain  they  lost  it  in  this  place.  We 
passed  the  forts  &  were  upon  Abbott's  Cove  at  Sunset. 

18.  From  Abbott's  Cove  we  proceeded  round  Winter  Island  to 
the  Point  of  Eocks,  &  from  the  Eocks  to  our  Station  on  the  neck, 

6  into  Town. 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  107 

19.  Had  a  sight  of  that  scandalous  insult  from  T.  Paine  called 
his  age  of  Reason,  upon  all  the  institutions  of  religion.  So  imper- 
fect.    So  rash  &  so  malicious. 

21.  Sunday.  John  Collins  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  Brethren  & 
Friends  at  Sea.    Penn  Townsend  for  his  daughter  dangerously  sick. 

25.  The  names  having  been  given  to  the  Streets  the  boards  ap- 
pointed to  be  placed  at  the  end  of  each  street  were  put  this  day. 
The  names  are  whimsical  &  do  not  include  so  much  of  the  history 
of  the  Town  as  I  should  have  supposed.  Gratitude  in  some  cases 
had  a  struggle,  from  the  prepossessions  of  the  Committee. 

26.  "Went  with  the  Surveyors  &  visited  the  celebrated  Legg's 
Hill.  We  raised  the  monument,  &  surveyed  Gardiner's  Pond.  The 
inlet  back  of  Pickman's  farm,  tho'  curving  at  the  foot  of  the  Hill, 
preserves  a  regular  course  till  it  is  lost  in  the  meadows.  Forest 
river  continues  only  with  two  general  inflections,  with  its  meanders 
in  nearly  the  same  general  direction,  till  it  reaches  the  foot  of  the 
Pine  Hills,  then  a  brook  joins  it  by  which  the  waters  are  conveyed 
from  the  Great  Swamp.  A  Small  Swamp  below  the  great  Swamp 
on  the  right  empties  into  the  brook,  &  a  small  elevation  of  Land  & 
Eocks  seperates  this  Swamp  from  that  below  which  falls  into  Clay 
Brook,  &  empties  near  Castle  Hill.  Coy  &  Deep  Pond  range  nearly 
from  Legg's  Hill  Summit  to  General  Glover's.  Coy's  Pond  nearest 
the  Hill  has  the  most  Swamp  &  brush,  &  a  Forest  of  Trees  stand- 
ing in  the  under  brush.  Deep  Pond  coming  up  nearly  into  the 
Eoad  from  ]\Iarblehead  to  Lynn  is  suirounded  with  Trees  on  its 
border. 

28.  Sunday.  Some  insinuations  against  my  opinions  &  public 
discourses  concerning  Paine's  "  Age  of  Eeason."  I  still  insisted 
that  it  was  in  my  opinion,  "a  contemptible  publication." 

29.  D'  Holyoke  furnished  us  with  a  Sector,  of  a  foot  length, 
which,  with  a  leg,  forms  a  Triangle  for  observation  &  by  the  shadow 
of  a  Pin  upon  which  is  suspended  a  plum  line,  is  given  the  Latitude 
of  the  place.  It  is  marked  Edward  Holyoke  1712,  &  was  imported 
by  the  President  his  Father  for  his  calculations  of  Antient  Eclipses 
of  which  a  Volume  in  manuscript  yet  remains  in  the  Doctor's  Pos- 
session. M''  Prince  reported  a  singular  case  attended  with  symp- 
toms of  locked  Jaw.  A  ^laid  in  the  family  of  ^i^  Eead  trod  upon 
a  nail  &  drove  it  into  her  foot.  The  wound  soon  healed,  &  she  went 
abroad  as  usual,  &  even  to  Beverly  to  visit  her  friends.  Afterwards 
she  felt  her  feet  fail  her  as  she  descended  the  stairs,  she  wrapped 
up  her  Jaws  as  stiff,  as  she  supposed  by  a  cold,  &  at  length  her 
deglutition  fail'd.  D""  Eead  supposing  the  cause,  called  for  aid. 
The  power  of  electricity  was  tried.  Faint  shocks  were  thought 
best  from  the  irritability  of  the  system  in  such  cases.  But  they 
availed  nothing.  By  accident  one  of  the  Jars  burst  in  one  opera- 
tion, &  gave  a  more  severe  shock  than  was  intended,  &  instant  re- 
lief was  given.     Severe  shocks  have  been  since  applied,  &   the  pa- 


108  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

tient  in  now  thought  to  be  out  of  a  danger.  She  once  declined  the 
painful  experiment  &  it  was  delayed.  But  pressing  necessity  urged 
her  requests  of  what  she  had  refused,  &  it  was  applied  with  the 
usual  success. 

30.  Death  of  M"^  Joseph  Pierpont,  set.  88,  in  Dan  vers.  His 
character  for  Charity  is  given  in  the  Gazette  from  Rev.  Mead's  Ser- 
mon. His  age  &  good  spirits  is  an  example  against  Rush,  who 
supposes  old  Bachelors  not  to  have  great  age.  Sympathy  has  in 
this  example  a  kind  effect  without  women. 

Oct.  1.  [1794]  Lost  one  of  our  most  attentive  Singing  Girls.* 
The  last  of  a  Consumptive  family.  She  died  on  the  same  day  with 
her  mother,  who  deceased  Oct.  1,  1786.  The  Sister  has  died  since, 
the  Brothers  before,  &  now  all  are  dead.  Her  form  betrayed  her 
danger,  but  she  seemed  possessed  of  health,  till  her  complaints 
about  4  months  since,  after  which  she  has  been  gradually  declining, 
without  any  hopes  of  recovery.  By  the  marriage  of  her  mother  in 
law,  the  only  two  girls  we  have  lost  from  the  whole  number  of  our 
Singers,  belong  to  one  family.  The  whole  number  entered  is  93, 
which  includes  all  who  appeared  as  belonging  to  the  several  Schools, 
whether  they  tarried  for  a  longer  or  a  shorter  time.  M"^*  Barrf 
buried  this  evening  aet  about  70.  Her  Father  died  several  years 
ago  at  100.  The  mother  died  at  about  79.  And  about  that  age  the 
children  faulter.  Children  follow  oftenest  the  age  of  the  female 
parent,  as  is  true  of  almost  all  our  aged  women. 

2.  Our  Seamen  fill  us  with  horror  upon  their  reports  respecting 
the  Gillotine  in  France,  &  the  cruel  manner  in  which  it  is  employed. 

3.  The  Town  having  by  a  Committee  named  the  several  streets, 
&  having  placed  Boards  with  the  names  at  their  respective  Corners, 
the  following  fall  in  om'  division  of  the  Town. 

Essex  Street,  running  the  whole  length  of  the  Town  proceeds 
from  Andrews'  Corner  to  Neck  Gate. 

Derby  Street,  running  from  the  Head  of  Union  Wharf  down  to 
the  Ship  yards,  &c. 

Union  Street,  passing  from  Essex  Street  to  Union  Wharf. 

Herbert  Street,  passing  below  into  Derby  Street  from  Essex 
Street. 

Cu7i;is  Street,  passing  below  into  Derby  Street  from  Essex  Street. 

Orange  Street,  passing  below  into  Derby  Street  from  Essex  Street. 

Daniel  Street,  passing  below  into  Derby  Street  from  Essex  Street. 

Hardy  Street,  passing  lower  Meeting  H.  from  Essex  to  Derby 
Street. 

Turner's  Street,  passing  from  Essex  into  Derby  Street. 

Beckefs  Street,  passing  from  Essex    into  Derby  Street. 

English  Street,  passing  from  Essex  into  Derby  Street. 

Brown  Street,  passing  North  of  the  Common. 

♦Anna,  daughter  of  Penn  and  Anna  Townsend. 
tPriscilla  Symouds,  second  wife  of  James  Barr. 


5  S 
5  ^ 


1794]  WILLIAM  bentm:v.  It.  i>.  109 

Pleasant  Street,  passing  from  Essex  Street  eastward  of  the  Com- 
mon. 

Street  passing  from  Conmion  eastward  to  Essex  Street. 

Winter  Street,  from  Brown's  Street  to  Bridge  Street. 

Bridge  Street,  from  Winter  Street  to  the  Essex  Bridge. 

Locust  Street,  leading  from  Bridge  Street  nortliward  to  lliver. 

Locust  Street  &  Orange  Street  ought  to  have  preserved  the  names 
of  their  antient  proprietors.  The  Skerries  are  the  only  aboriginal 
proprietors  holding  from  the  first  Settlement.  Locust  sliould  have 
been  Skerry  Street,  &  Orange  Street,  Bush  Street. 

4,  Rev^  Shaw's  death  at  Haverhill,  sudden.  He  preached  all 
day,  enjoyed  his  friends  in  the  evening,  &  was  found  in  bed  with 
his  wife,  dead,  by  a  child  who  came  into  the  chamber  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

5.  Sunday.  jSTotes.  Penn  Townsend  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  only 
Child  &  Daughter.  John  Symonds  «&  Sister,  d.  of  their  Sister  Barr. 
James  Whittemore  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Brother,  &  Breth  ren  at  Sea. 

9.  M^  Gray  ,*  it  has  been  said,  intends  a  removal  to  New  York 
&  is  now  on  his  journey,  &  happily  escapes  the  reflections  which 
will  be  cast  upon  his  zeal.  However  the  matter  may  be  accomo- 
dated they  discover  a  determined  delay. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Thomas  Squires  and  Daughter,  death  of 
his  Wife.  Ruth  Newton,  d.  of  daughter  Squires,  pr.  with  her 
children.     Sarah  Martin,  dangerously  sick. 

13.  Last  Saturday  we  had  the  launching  of  a  fine  Ship,t  Copper 
bottom,  pierced  for  16  guns,  on  Stage  Point,  Briggs  building  yard, 
belonging  to  G.  Crowninshield  &  Sous.  And  this  day  a  launch 
from  Becket's  yard  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  a  large  mer- 
chant Ship.J  The  first  was  launched  with  all  her  masts  standing, 
&c.  but  the  second  was  not  finished,  &  the  tides  would  not  admit 
delay.  They  both  went  off  without  the  least  accident  or  interrup- 
tion.    The  last  Ship  belonged  to  E.  H.  Derby  junior. 

14.  At  Association  in  Danvers.  For  the  first  time  we  approbated 
a  young  candidate  in  nearly  the  following  words  :  At  a  meeting  of 
of  the  Reverend  Association  of  Salem  &  its  vicinity  at  Danvers,  A 
B.,  a  Candidate  for  the  ministry  offered  himself  for  examination. 
The  Association,  having  heard  a  theological  discourse,  which  he 
exhibited  &  having  been  satisfied  of  his  moral  character,  do  testify 
their  approbation,  &i  recommend  him,  &c.  A  neighbour,  Capt. 
Radix,  has  died  of  the  yellow  fever  in  the  West  Indies,  &  only  one 
of  his  Crew  escaped. 

15.  This  day  opened  a  new  Scene.  The  Cadets  appeared  for 
their  military  exercise,  &  dined  at  Frye's,  at  the  entrance  of  the 
Town.  While  they  were  in  this  position  a  number  of  men  appeared 
mounted  with  a  Standard  &  with  Music.     The  cause  was  unknown 

•William  Qt2,j,  the  merchant,  who  afterward  removed  to  Boston. 
tShip  Kelisanus. 
tSbip  Recovery. 


110  DIARY  OP  [Oct. 

but  it  was  soon  discovered  that  their  object  was  to  pay  a  national 
Compliment  from  the  French  to  Captain  Richard  Derty,  who  had 
brought  up  a  large  number  of  the  French,  had  entertained  them  at 
his  own  expence,  &  conveyed  them  without  charge  to  the  Consul  in 
Boston.  They  received  the  usual  salutes,  &  were  by  the  Cadets 
conducted  to  M*"  Derby's  House,  where  they' fired  a  Salute.  They 
were  then  escorted  to  General  Fiske's,  where  they  sung  some  nation- 
al songs,  &  then  to  E.  H.  Derby,  where  they  had  the  same  enter- 
tainment. The  evening  they  spent  at  Gen.  Fiske's  with  the  Mili- 
tary Officers  of  the  Town,  &  with  all  the  hilarity  so  distinguishing 
in  that  nation.  They  brought  an  address,  of  which  the  following 
is  a  copy. 

Derby  we  come  to  pay  the  debt 

Of  Gratitude,  for  our  nation. 

Generous  favours  done  so  truely 

Live  in  daily  recollection. 

When  our  dear  fathers  we  salute, 

Our  Gratitude  will  bid  us  tell 

That  in  your  country  we  have  found 

Republicans  &  Brethren  dwell. 

This  STANDARD,  we  with  joy  display 

To  your  rich  virtues  it  belongs. 

Let  us  know  you  think  us  grateful 

And  then  new  joys  shall  fill  our  songs. 

Friend,  receive  from  us  this  homage 

Of  your  known  virtues  'tis  the  claim, 

Take  this  Standard  from  our  nation, 

Inscribed  by  friendship,  see  your  name. 

View  the  fau-  emblem,  which  it  bears. 

Celestial  liberty  its  root, 

Derby,  'tis  yours,  to  claim  the  Tree 

Of  which  you  taste  the  richest  fruit. 

Derby,  forever  live,  the  French  your 
praise  begin. 

Throughout  the  world  such  deeds 
eternal  glory  bring. 
Two  Gentlemen  breakfasted  with  me,  &  one  lodged.     M"^  Pier- 
onnet  lodged.     He  is  a  Disciple  of  Priestley,  &  has  fled  his  country, 
in  apprehension  of  a   prosecution   for    Republicanism.     Monsieur 
Drouin  Vaudrin  is  a  French  naval  Officer. 

16.  Upon  examining  the  Standard,  I  find  the  Inscription  to  be 
Les  FrauQois  reconnaissans  a  Derby  Cap*.  The  Tree  displayed 
has  two  cross  flags  upon  its  Trunk,  the  French  on  the  right,  &  the 
American  on  the  Left.  There  was  a  National  Cockade  at  the  rise 
of  the  Branches  from  the  Trunk  &  a  Cap  over  the  Tree. 

20.  Last  night  a  M''  Usher,  Tinman,  made  another  escape  from 
his  Creditors,  by  retreating  bag  &  baggage,  to  his  friends  at  Med- 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  Ill 

ford.  lie  has  several  times  begun  &,  ended  in  the  same  manner. 
He  is  suspected  of  belonging  to  a  gang  of  gamblers  which  infest 
our  Towns. 

21.  Carleton  has  taken  the  Salem  Gazette  into  his  hands,  & 
promises  impartiality. 

23.  This  day  an  accident  happened  at  North  Bridge,  which  was 
repaired  about  five  years  ago,  as  some  cattle  were  driven  into  Town 
&  about  20  of  them  upon  the  draw,  the  draw  gave  way,  &  they  fell 
into  the  water.  Only  one  was  killed.  The  tide  being  full,  the  draws 
which  were  supported  only  on  the  external  angle,  ag.  each  other, 
turned  inwards,  &  had  the  force  of  a  lever  to  snap  the  hinges. 
There  was  a  descent  of  eight  feet  to  the  tide,  &  so  the  water  re- 
ceived the  draw.  The  Builder  of  the  Bridge,  one  Gould,  was 
totally  ignorant  of  mechanics.  As  the  Draws  were  not  entirely  dis- 
engaged from  the  Abutements,  the  Cattle  escaped  or  they  must  have 
been  crushed,  which  would  have  been  the  case,  had  the  draws  not 
fell  into  the  water,  before  they  descended  their  whole  length. 

28.  The  quantity  of  Flower  is  so  great,  which  was  taken  at 
Halifax  from  the  Delaware  Fleet,  that  one  man  has  brought  into 
this  State  10,000  Barrels  which  upon  the  average  price  did  not  ex- 
ceed 3  dollars  pr.  Barrel  at  Halifax.  Yet  the  exportation  is  so 
great  as  to  keep  up  the  price  of  all  articles  at  the  highest  known 
rate. 

Nov.  2.  [1794]  Sunday.  Stephen  Hill  &  Wife,  death  of  their 
only  child.  Susannah  Harthorne,  d.  of  her  g.  child,  &  pr.  for  her 
other  children  under  infirmities.     Joseph  Joy  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

3.  Millet  has  arrived  dismasted,  &  several  arrivals  inform  us  of 
deaths  abroad  of  persons  belonging  to  the  Town,  Our  Country 
men  from  Bass  Bark  have  manufactured  wrapping  Paper. 

6.  The  celebrated  Quaker  Preacher  in  Town,  Sans  of  Philadel- 
phia &  there  was  a  meeting  in  the  Evening.  After  waiting  in 
silence  two  hours,  being  prompted  by  curiosity  with  the  multitude, 
he  rose,  &  commended  the  patience  of  the  Crowd  to  set  still  so  long, 
said  he  was  under  a  cloud,  wished  them  the  inward  light,  &  told  us 
that  he  seldom  knew  so  many  children  set  still  so  long.  This  man 
has  preached  in  one  of  our  Meeting  Houses  &  has  been  very  much 
caressed.  He  told  us  that  the  meal  we  once  wanted  for  our  bellies, 
we  now  put  upon  our  heads.  The  most  desultory  speech  for  10 
minutes  that  could  be  uttered. 

7.  Our  Quaker  Preacher  tells  us  that  the  world  is  to  be  reformed 
by  being  thinned.  Nothing  like  it  yet  appears.  He  forgets  that  he 
is  out  of  Philadelphia.  John  Carnes  who  married  a  Derby  has  re- 
turned after  having  been  shipwrecked  in  an  Imperial  Ship  upon 
the  Coast  of  Africa. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  George  Lazell  &  Wife,  death  of  g.  Son. 
Samuel  Masury  &  Wife,  d.  of  a  child,  &  friends  at  Sea.  Ruth  Newton, 
d.  of  her  G.  Child,  Whitehead. 


112  DIARY   OF  [Nov. 

11.  The  Artillery  under  Cap*  Hovey  paraded  &  upon  the  neck 
fired  at  a  Target,  which  they  struck  twice  in  the  time  of  their 
firing. 

12.  The  Criminals  arraigned  this  day  for  trial  on  the  Morrow. 
As  the  people  suppose  them  to  be  capital  offenders,  it  is  hard  to 
supply  the  jury,  four  have  already  paid  their  fines  rather  than 
serve. 

13.  The  Trial  of  the  two  Thieves  for  Burglary.  The  Trial  be- 
gan in  the  morning  &  the  Case  was  delivered  to  the  jury  at  four 
o'clock  P.  M.  The  State's  Attorney  was  Sullivan,  the  Council  for 
the  Defendants,  Sewall  &  Dane.  Their  Plea  was  grounded  upon  the 
questions  whether  M""*  Clarke's  House  was  properly  a  dwelling 
House,  &  whether  noctanter,  did  not  intend  by  the  late  Law,  break 
of  Day,  or  the  Commencement  of  Twilight,  which  in  the  month  of 
June  was  at  2  o'clock,  the  watch  declaring  that  they  detected  the 
thieves  at  28  minutes  past  2  o'clock.  The  Court  overruled  the  first, 
as  not  a  question  &  the  Attorney  replied  that  noctanter  was 
explained  while  the  countenance  of  a  man  could  not  be  discerned. 
No  disputes  about  the  facts  committed. 

14.  The  Jury  sat  all  night,  but  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to 
bring  in  their  verdict,  guilty  of  death,  so  firm  are  the  people  against 
sanguinary  Laws.  They  brought  them  in  guilty  of  Thieft,  &  they 
sentenced  to  sit  on  the  gallows,  be  whipped  &  confined  to  labour  15 
years  at  the  Castle. 

15.  The  Boys  appeared  upon  the  ice  yesterday  for  the  first  time, 
&  the  earth  is  now  covered.  Capt.  Jacob  Crowninshield  has  ar- 
rived after  a  most  successful  voyage  to  India. 

17.  For  the  fourth  time  employed  in  making  a  summary  for  the 
Salem  Gazette  to  assist  my  fellow  boarder,  M""  Carleton.  Perhaps  I 
may  get  my  hand  in  at  last. 

19.  News  that  Capt.  John  MacGregory,  who  has  been  building 
a  vessel  at  old  York  &  long  in  a  decline,  having  adventured  abroad 
against  the  advice  of  his  friends,  being  hardly  able  to  move,  has 
died  at  York  yesterday.     He  buried  his  wife  not  long  since. 

20.  Thanksgiving.  The  Contribution  was  above  31£  including 
nine  pounds  sent  generously  by  M''  Derby  to  belong  to  it. 

21.  Had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  William  Priestley,  the  Son  of 
Doctor  Joseph  Priestley,  from  Boston.  His  family  have  purchased  a 
Tract  in  Pennsylvania,  &  the  Doctor  now  resides  at  Northumberland 
above  an  hundred  miles  from  Philadelphia  on  the  Susquehannah. 

22.  Spent  the  morning  in  visiting  different  parts  of  the  Town  with 
M""  Priestley,  &  the  afternoon  with  General  Fiske  &  some  company 
at  his  house.  Christened  the  Children  of  M"^  Putnam.  The  first 
instance  of  goiug  beyond  my  limits. 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  Samuel  Silsbee  &  family,  death  of  his 
Son  in  Law  M*=Gregory,  Son  at  Sea.  George  Hodges  &  Wife,  death 
of  eldest  child,  &  Brother  at  Sea. 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  113 

24.  Left  Salem  with  M""  Priestley  ou  a  Journey  to  see  the  new 
Bridges  of  this  County.  We  visited  the  Beverly  Manufacture, 
which  from  the  fruitless  attempt  to  manufacture  cotton  velvet,  & 
unfashionable  goods,  is  now  converted  to  the  profitable  business  of 
Bedticks,  &  the  demand  is  much  beyond  the  ability  of  M''  Burnham 
to  supply.  60  hands  are  now  employed  in  Beverly  ^Manufactory. 
We  reached  Ipswich  &  were  kindly  received  at  Rev*^  Dana's,  for 
whom  we  carried  Letters.  After  viewing  the  New  Court  House 
the  plan  of  which  is  to  be  seen,  tho'  yet  it  is  unfinished,  we  passed 
after  dinner  to  the  Academy  Dummer,  &  spent  an  hour  with  the 
worthy  Preceptor  Smith.  We  had  not  time  to  visit  the  Woolen 
Manufactory  established  three  miles  from  the  Academy,  from  the 
shortness  of  the  Days.  We  spent  the  first  part  of  the  evening  at 
Rev**  Andrews  in  company  with  Rev*^  Carey,  very  agreably,  &  then 
went  &  supped  at  M""  Jackson's,  &  lodged  at  his  house.  They  have 
purchased  an  elegant  organ  for  the  first  Church,  of  American  manu- 
facture. 

25.  We  spent  the  morning  in  visiting  the  Town.  There  is  a 
new  Meeting  House  built  for  a  number  of  Seceders  from  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  who  have  at  length  settled  a  M'  Milton,  &  the 
Presbyterians  have  settled  a  M""  Dana,  to  whom  we  had  letters  of 
address,  &  by  whom  we  were  kindly  received.  We  visited  the  rope 
walks,  which  were  now  decorated  in  honour  of  Queen  Catharine,  on 
a  day  bearing  the  name  of  a  Saint  Catharine.  We  visited  the  new 
Charity  house,  which  is  a  brick  building,  now  erecting,  &  only  fin- 
ished on  the  ground  floor.  An  entry  passes  through  the  middle 
leaving  four  rooms  on  each  side,  exclusively  of  the  rooms  assigned 
for  the  Overseer  at  the  northern  end.  The  upper  part  is  to  contain 
two  large  Rooms  for  business,  &  for  the  Overseers ;  till  they  are 
necessary  for  other  purposes.  We  visited  M'  Parsons,  our  eminent 
Lawyer,  &  various  other  characters,  &  dined  with  D""  Lovett  in 
company  with  the  amiable  M""  Jackson,  who  returned  the  visit  to 
D"^  Swett,  who  had  breakfasted  with  us  in  the  evening.  After  din- 
ner we  took  leave  &  went  towards  Haverhill.  We  were  advised  to 
go  up  Newbury  side  of  the  river,  because  the  road  was  better,  tho' 
the  Amsbury  side  was  shorter.  We  passed  half  a  mile  above  grass- 
hopper plains,  where  stands  a  meeting  house,  to  view  the  New 
Bridge,  &  returned,  by  a  path  which  shortened  our  distance,  to  the 
plain  near  the  meeting  house  making  a  Gore  of  Land.  We  were 
advised  to  pass  Cottle's  ferry,  or  at  Bradford  lower  Meeting  at  Bus- 
sel's  ferry  but  we  continued  up  till  we  reached  the  Bridge,  and  it 
was  too  late  to  examine  it.  We  spent  an  agreable  evening  at 
Herod's,  &  lodged  that  night  at  his  house.  We  had  a  pleasing 
company  of  Ladies. 

26.  In  the  morning,  M"^  Bartlet,  our  high  Sherif,  &  a  candidate 
for  Congress,  who  superintends  the  building  of  the  Bridge,  waited 
upon  us   to  examine  it.     We  found  the  piers  of   Stone,  &   three 


114  DIARY   OF  [Nov. 

arches.  We  wait  for  a  circumstantial  discription  to  be  assured  of 
all  its  proportions.  We  then  had  purposes  of  visiting  the  Bodwell 
Bridge  between  Andover  &  INIethuen,  but  the  cold  &  the  wind  in 
our  faces  made  us  relinquish  this  object  as  well  as  the  Canal  at 
Patucket  falls,  &  even  above  at  Goff's  Town,  with  the  Bridges. 
We  returned  by  Boxford  &  Topsfield  to  Salem,  &  arrived  before 
Sundown.  Haverhill  Bridge  is  863  feet  long,  with  three  Arches 
183  feet  each  in  length,  34  feet  wide,  upon  stone  piers,  &  abut- 
ments. 

27.  Col.  Pickman  gave  me  the  following  articles  from  his  papers. 
Great  fire,  28  June  1678,  began  at  a  warehouse,  the  property  of 
Timothy  Lindall,  standing  on  the  spot  where  now  the  Widow 
Gardner  lives,  near  opposite  to  S*  Peter's  street,  at  little  easterly. 
The  Warehouse  was  consumed,  &  a  Dwelling  House,  the  property 
of  Major  Pilgrim,  &  inhabited  by  himself,  standing  where  now 
Capt.  Lander  lives,  eastward  of  the  warehouse,  &  a  Dwelling 
House,  the  property  of  Hon.  W™  Browne,  where  M'"  W.  Gray  now 
lives,  opposite  to  Lander's  &  still  more  easterly,  &  a  Dwelling 
House  at  the  corner  of  S*  Peter's  Street,  where  Cap*  Joseph  White 
now  lives  westerly  of  Gray's.  The  next  Fire  was  6  Oct.  1774. 
By  a  communication  from  Cap*  John  Becket,  it  appears  that  John 
Becket,  senr,  did  on  the  1  Nov.  1683,  by  will,  dispose  of  the  Lane, 
formerly  called  Becket's  Lane,  now  Cromwell  Street,  in  these  words, 
"  I  give  to  my  Wife  Margaret,  my  Dwelling  House  &  all  the  Land 
now  in  fence  belonging  thereunto,  &c.,  only  there  is  a  convenient 
highway  to  be  left  through  the  land  on  the  west  side  thereof,  for 
the  use  of  my  Children  &  their  heirs,  &c.  to  go  to  the  high  Street." 
It  further  appears  by  the  Will  of  his  Wife  Margaret,  then  Crom- 
well, did  dispose  in  virtue  of  this  fee  in  her  of  said  land,  to  Han- 
nah Becket,  Wife  of  Isaac  Sternes,  as  to  her  daughter,  bounded  as 
follows,  about  half  an  Acre,  southeasterly  on  William  Becket  the 
Son.  Northeasterly  on  Joseph  Swasey,  &  John  Carter,  formerly 
the  Land  of  one  Sallows  only.  Northwesterly  on  the  Land  of  my 
Children,  &  on  the  Land  Southwesterly  laid  out  to  the  Children. 

30.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jonathan  Mason  sen.  &  Wife,  d.  of 
Brother  Mason's  Wife,  &  friends  abroad.  William  Oliver  &  wife, 
d.  of  only  child,  &  Brother  at  Sea.  Mary  Whitford,  d.  of  g.  son 
Oliver,  &  for  son  at  Sea. 

Dec.  1.  [1794]  Capt.  P.  Townsend  brought  with  him  a  Vessel, 
which  he  took  up  in  the  West  Indies,  without  a  Cargo,  or  any  liv- 
ing person  on  board. 

5.  Capt.  Gibaut  has  unhappily  had  a  difference  with  M""  Derby, 
which  prevents  the  prospect  of  his  voiage  at  present,  &  may  in  the 
end  assist  our  plan  of  the  Town,  M"^  Bowditch  was  going  with 
him. 

6.  A  Vessel  entered  this  port,  which  had  been  taken  by  a  Ber- 
muda privateer.     The  Captain,  one  hand   &  a  boy  were   left  on 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEV,    D.    I).  115 

board  with  6  men  from  the  Privateer.  Capt.  Flint  rose  uj^on  them, 
shut  them  below  and  after  continuing  14  days  upon  deck  carried 
her  into  Martha's  Vineyard,  where  they  liberated  their  prisoners,  & 
carried  the  Vessel  home  with  the  great  part  of  the  outward  bound 
cargo.     She  is  owned  in  this  Town  by  Peabody  &  Perkins. 

7.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Sarah  Knights  &  children,  death  of 
her  Son  abroad  &  Son  at  Sea.  Sarah  Martin,  very  sick  in  the 
Charity  house.  Martha  Chard,  Son  sick  of  fever.  Husband,  son,  & 
Brother  at  Sea.     Susannah  Dale,  delivery,  Husbaud  at  Sea. 

10.  A  Fish  came  on  shore  at  the  bottom  of  Locust  Street  on 
North  River,  called  by  the  seamen  Grampus,  measuring  eight  feet 
in  length  »&  continued  from  head  to  neck,  so  as  that  from  mouth  to 
neck  was  a  quarter  round.  It  was  very  large  in  proportion  over 
the  upper  parts,  but  being  in  a  state  of  dissolution  the  parts  could 
not  accurately  be  ascertained.  It  probably  is  of  that  species  called 
vulgarly  the  snorting  pig,  thicker  than  the  common  porpus.  I  have 
not  yet  seen  a  person,  who  has  seen  the  like,  upon  whose  Judgment 
I  can  depend.  As  I  visited  the  fish  I  found  the  projecting  angle  of 
Hooper's  Land  taken  off,  a  favour  that  could  not  be  obtained  in  his 
life  time,  not  only  from  the  singularity  of  the  man,  but  from  the 
position  of  his  buildings.  His  barn  &  lintel,*  &  part  of  the  dwell- 
ing house  were  over  the  Line.  For  the  first  time  I  entered  the 
House,  which  is  all  now  standing,  the  lintel  having  been  taken 
down.  It  is  very  antient,  &  has  stood  till  it  looked  dangerous.  It 
consisted  of  one  Room  &  chamber.  The  chimney  was  in  the  west- 
ern end,  &  covered  by  the  Lintel,  which  was  not  framed  into  the 
house.  The  Posts  were  of  Oak,  large,  &  supporting  upon  a  large 
projection.  The  beams  which,  as  the  ground  work  was  gone,  by  sink- 
ing perpendicularly  into  the  ground,  had  bent  the  house  at  a  con- 
siderable angle  in  the  middle,  there  being  only  three  posts  of  a  side, 
two  of  which  on  each  side  were  at  the  Corners.  The  entry  was  in 
the  space  between  the  Chimney  &  the  side  of  the  House.  The 
Stairs  ascended  over  the  projecting  work  of  the  Chimney,  which 
contained  the  oven.  All  the  wood  work  of  the  house  exhibited  the 
Account  book  of  the  Old  Batchelor,  for  it  was  entirely  covered  with 
figures,  neatly  made,  &  with  the  names  'of  the  Creditors.  Dates 
might  be  traced  for  years  past,  &  the  course  of  his  labours  ascer- 
tained. The  windows  remained,  of  diamond  glass  &  lead,  of  2  feet 
by  one.  The  fire  place  as  large  as  the  Rooms  would  admit.  The 
House  filled  in  with  Clay  &  Bricks.  The  Clapboards  had  been  so 
long  upon  it  as  to  be  as  thin  as  their  adherence  together  could  ad- 
mit. The  house  siink  in  the  middle  one  end  resting  on  the  founda- 
tion of  the  chimney,  &  the  other  being  on  a  range  of  cellar  wall. 

11.  This  day  a  launching  from  Brigg's  Ship  Yard,  opposite  the 
harbour,  a  Vessel  about  100  Tons  burden,!  belonging  to  Hodges  & 

•Lean-to. 

tBrigantine  Friendship. 


116  DIARY  OP  [Dec. 

C**  destined  to  an  East  India  Voyage.  Our  fire  club  this  evening. 
We  lost  by  death  one  of  our  young  members  last  week,  William 
Archer. 

13.  The  weather  continuing  exceedingly  pleasant,  no  kind  of 
business  is  interrupted.  The  observations  are,  that  never  were  the 
days  of  December  so  pleasant. 

14.  Sunday.  There  was  something  singular  on  the  notes  this 
day.  All  the  cases  were  of  seperation.  The  Widow  Bowditch  was 
left  by  her  husband  many  years  since.  Capt.  William  Wyatt  who 
died  at  New  Orleans,  left  his  family  several  years  since.  The 
Father  does  not  visit  or  cohabit  with  his  wife.  M''*  Martin  who 
died  in  the  Charity  house  was  left  by  her  husband,  who  may  be  yet 
living,  as  far  as  we  know.  Mary  Bowditch  &  children,  d.  of  her 
son,  friends  at  Sea.  Sarah  Wyatt,  d.  of  her  Son,  &  Son  in  law  at 
Sea.  Sarah  Wellman,  d.  of  her  Brother  Wyatt,  &  husband  at  Sea, 
Jane  Wyatt  &  children,  d.  of  her  husband.  Elizabeth  Whitefoot  & 
children,  d.  of  Sister  Martin,  A  Son  at  Sea.  William  Sage,  Wife  & 
Children,  d.  of  a  Son,  &  Sons  at  Sea. 

17.  News  from  Charlestown  that  Joseph  Grafton  of  this  Town 
put  an  end  to  his  life  by  cutting  his  Throat.  The  morals  &  man- 
ners of  this  man  have  been  singulai*.  The  past  incident  of  his  life 
at  the  death  of  his  Cousin,  the  particulars  of  which  may  be  found 
in  the  day  book  as  I  was  an  eye  witness.  The  disinheriting  a  wife 
&  children,  the  marriage  with  a  woman  who  distressed  the  family 
&  without  reputation,  the  attempt  to  impoverish  his  aged  benefac- 
tresses by  a  law  suit  for  1500£,  when  he  was  in  debt  300£,  his 
active  zeal  to  divorce  his  mother  in  Law,  his  injuries  to  his  brother, 
his  contempt  of  all  religion,  his  idea  of  success  constituting  moral- 
ity, the  suits  which  perplexed  his  last  hours,  leave  no  room  to  doubt 
that  his  mind  was  disquieted  without  consolation. 

19.  There  is  another  small  publication  upon  Crows  in  the  New- 
bury Gazette,  intended  to  insult  D"^  Cutler  for  his  conduct  in  the 
Ohio  business.  That  gentleman  had  much  better  confined  himself 
to  his  share  of  fame  in  Botany,  than  have  adventured  so  deeply,  at 
the  expense  of  his  reputation  &  of  his  ease,  which  must  be  inter- 
rupted by  endless  Lawsuits,  &  the  most  disgraceful  claims,  to  which 
he  is  continually  liable. 

20.  The  theatre  opened  again  in  Boston,  but  their  new  importa- 
tion does  not  exceed  the  last.  They  do  not  appear  better  pleased. 
The  price  of  Tickets  in  the  gallery  being  raised  from  1/6  to  2/3  is 
not  a  pleasing  measure  to  the  poorer  class  of  people.  The  Gazettes 
do  not  spare  the  actors. 

21.  Sunday.  Note.  Samuel  Dodd  &  Wife,  Her  delivery,  & 
he  sick. 

22.  A  Man  not  belonging  to  the  Town  drowned  in  the  Harbour. 
News  that  Kilham,  belonging  to  John  Derby,  has  lost  his  vessel 
among  the  Bahamas.     An  attempt  was  made  by  a  delirious  woman 


1794]  WILLIAM  BENTLET,  D.  D.  117 

to  drown  herself  by  leaping  from  one  of  the  wharves  in  the  night 
time,  but  she  was  discovered  in  the  water  &  preserved.  Name 
Pillsbury. 

23.  Capt.  Phillips  in  the  Ketch  [Eliza]  sailed  for  India,  &  to 
him  I  committed  the  Letters  for  the  Consul,  &c.  His  Vessel  is  said 
to  be  a  fast  sailor,  &  there  were  many  to  observe  her  as  she  went  to 
Sea. 

24.  The  weather  continues  remarkably  pleasant.  Around  the 
shores  there  is  not  the  least  notice  of  winter.  No  ice  is  seen  upon 
the  rocks,  or  at  the  water  line  of  the  tide.  Walking  abroad  is 
pleasant,  &  no  occupation  is  interrupted.  The  fire  side  is  deserted, 
&  healthy  people  neglect  their  fires  altogether. 

25.  I  walked  with  Col.  Pickman  to  Marblehead  &  attended  the 
services  of  S'  Michael's  Church.  We  had  a  pertinent  discourse 
from  j\P  Harris,  &  I  attended  his  communion.  He  is  a  candid  man. 
The  man  of  S'  Peters,*  Salem,  has  refused  all  ministerial  inter- 
course, because  he  admitted  his  Father  &  Brother  into  his  pulpit, 
they  being  dissenters  from  the  Cliurch  of  England.  Such  is  the 
clerical  pride  of  a  Church  which  in  this  Country  is  a  small  sect,  & 
in  the  whole  state  in  which  they  can  give  but  one  competent  living, 
&  have  not  above  five  regular  assemblies  out  of  several  hundred 
religious  congregations. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Collins  &  Wife,  her  delivery.  This 
evening  from  the  indisposition  of  the  Ecclesiastic  Episcopal,  I  at- 
tended the  funeral  of  a  Black  man  of  middle  age,  who  called  himself 
BARNABAS  SPRAGUE,  &  was  born  in  Virginia  upon  James  River. 

29.  As  John's  day  came  on  Saturday  with  the  principal  Lodges 
on  the  Continent  we  deferred  the  celebration  till  Monday,  &  this 
day  met  &  had  the  feast  at  Gen.  Abbot's  in  Church  Street.  The 
entertainment  was  good,  &  we  paid  the  sum  of  10^6  each  includ- 
ing all  charges.  There  were  24  persons,  &  no  invitations  were 
given  to  such  persons  as  were  not  Brethren.  We  had  several  fine 
songs.  After  the  Installation  about  5  o'clock  we  all  retired  having 
paid  the  reckoning.  M''  Gaines  was  invited  &  entertained  by  us, 
&  an  additional  charity  was  raised  for  him  of  6,  13/2,  to  the  sums 
he  has  received  this  season.  For  the  principal  part  of  this  charity 
we  are  indebted  to  our  most  worthy  brother  Derby. 

30.  For  the  first  time  in  this  month  we  had  snow.  It  began 
about  2  o'clock  &  was  moderate  till  the  evening,  grew  fine,  &  misty. 

31.  From  Joseph  Hiller,  Collector  of  the  Port  of  Salem,  is  the 
following  Communication. 

Account  of  Vessels  belonging  to  the  District  of  Salem  &  Beverly, 
1794. 

*Rev.  Nathaniel  Fibber. 


118 


DIARY    OF 


[Dec. 


Ports 


Trade 


Coasting 


Fishing 


is 

OQ 

m 
PC 

■aSo        S 

p. 
1 

o 
o 

o 

OQ 

Sloopi 
Boats 

Scboo 
Boats 

Salem 

15 

48 

6       47 

4 

11 

12         1 

13             3 

Beverly- 

2 

1       13 

0 

1 

2         5 

21             4 

Ipswich 

3 

1 

2 

8 

3        53 

Danvers 

3 

1 

1 

15 

50 

7       66 

5 

14 

14      15 

38        60 

« 

«-i  B  » 

""'^a, 

u  tBai 

S       M 

9  « 

O  oj.2 

O  O  * 

o  sS 

o     a 

Ports. 

S2 

C  2  OQ 

<3  «  "i 

^1^ 

Hfal> 

3     2 

H 

Salem 

160 

14,964 

1,100 

724 

16,788 

Beverly- 

49 

1,292 

223 

1,292 

2,805 

Ipswich 

70 

292 

189 

704 

1,185 

Danvers 

5 

220 

11 

58 

289 

284 


16,768 


1,523         2,778 


21,067 


My  grandfather  Thomas  Bentley,  was  born  in  England,  in  the 
west,  on  3  May  1699,  &  came  to  Boston,  America,  with  his  father 
in  the  year  1711.  He  was  a  Lieutenant  in  Col.  Clayton's  Regi- 
ment, &  had  served  under  the  Duke  of  Malborough.  He  encamped 
on  Noddle's  Island  in  Boston  harbour.  The  G.  G.  Father  was  on 
the  unfortunate  expedition  to  Canada,  &  before  the  fleet  sailed  from 
Boston,  he  brought  my  G.  Father  to  Boston,  &  bound  him  an  ap- 
prentice to  a  M'  R.  Witteridge,  a  Ship  Carpenter,  upon  condition 
that  if  he  returned  from  the  expedition,  he  might  receive  his  son 
again,  otherwise  he  was  to  serve  his  time  out.  But  my  G.  G. 
Fatlier  was  one  of  the  sufferers  in  the  Fleet,  that  was  cast  away. 
My  G.  Father  after  his  apprenticeship  went  to  Sea  several  years, 
then  followed  his  trade  for  the  space  of  60  years,  till  the  end  of 
life.  He  was  a  social  &  honest  man.  He  has  often  told  me,  that 
he  found  the  connections  of  his  family  in  reputation,  &  easy  cir- 
cumstances in  London,  &  has  mentioned  that  being  full  of  spirits 
his  pride  was  piqued  in  regard  to  his  habit,  &  he  declined  any  fur- 
ther acquaintance.     He  died  22  November  1783. 

He  married  Stisan7iah  Toivnseml*  5  February,  1725. 

Thomas  &  James^  Twins,  were  born  Nov.  2,  1725  ;  both  died  in  4 
months  after  birth. 

Joslma,  was  born,  Wednesday,  18  Jan^  1727.  This  is  my  Father. 

♦Daughter  of  James  and  A  ice  (^ev  ell)  Townsend  of  Bostou, 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  119 

Thomas  was  born,  1  March  1729.  After  he  was  of  age,  he  fol- 
lowed the  Sea,  &  was  Master  of  a  Vessel,  out  of  England,  &  we 
apprehend  died  abroad. 

Susannah  was  born,  Sunday,  20  December  1730,  married  a  M'  P. 
Farmer,  Master  of  a  Vessel,  who  died  abroad,  died  in  Boston  Jan. 
23,  1813. 

Alice,  died  soon  after  she  was  born. 

Benjamin,  died  soon  after  he  was  born. 

Caleb,  was  born  20  January,  1735.  Died  of  the  small  pox  in  his 
W^  year. 

Mary,  was  born  Thursday,  4  November,  1736.  She  married 
Jonathan  Heyden,  who  died  &  left  several  children.  She  died  July 
or  Aug.  1804. 

Dorothy,  was  born  on  Friday,  22  December,  1738.  She  married 
M''  W.  Wheat,  son  of  D'  Wheat,  of  Newton,  went  to  live  at  Provi- 
dence, R.  Island.  He  was  drowned  a  few  years  ago.  The  three 
children  are  all  married  in  that  place ;  died  at  Providence. 

Nathaniel,  Sept.  3,  1741  born,  died  at  20  months. 

Nathaniel,  born,  Aug.  16,  1742,  died  in  1744. 

Alice,  born  February  16,  1745,  married  a  M'"  Banks,  a  Scotch- 
man, Physician,  went  to  live  with  him  in  New  Hampshire,  was 
there  several  years  &  died  at  Wilmington,  on  a  visit  to  her  friends, 
&  was  buried  at  Boston.  She  left  a  Son,  who  was  at  Boston  a  year 
since. 

Susannah  my  Grand  mother  died  in  Child  bed,  Sept.  9,  1744, 
aged  42  years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  M''  James  Town  send.  Shoe- 
maker, who  in  the  latter  part  of  life,  was  an  attendant  upon  the 
Mathers,  &  Sexton  of  their  Church. 

My  G.  Father's  Second  Wife  was  Martha  Townsend,  Widow. 
She  died  22  July,  1781,  aged  81  years. 

S'"  John  Bentley  when  in  America  made  enquiry  after  a  branch 
of  the  family,  supposed  to  be  in  America,  &  from  him  my  G,  F.  got 
information. 

The  History  of  my  Mother's  Family. 

William  Paine,  was  descended  from  the  family  of  Paines  who 
settled  at  Salem,  Wenham  &  Boston,  at  the  beginning  of  the  plan- 
tation. William  Paine  was  born,  in  1711,  died  INov.  1786,  aged  75 
years. 

Mary  Paine  his  wife,  was  of  the  family  of  Ruggles  in  Roxbury, 
an  antient  family,  was  born  in  1717,  died  Jannary  27,  1783,  aged 
66. 

Their  children  were  : 

Mary,  born  26  Feb.  1735  &  died  15  Aug.  1792  aet.  57.  She  mar- 
ried Deacon  Samuel  Ridgway,  as  his  third  wife.  She  left  one  child, 
a  Daughter,  Mary,  who  married  a  JM*"  Wilds  of  Boston,  Merchant. 


120  DIARY  OF  [Dec. 

William,  born  7  Dec.  1735,  died  Feb.  4,  1773,  set.  36,  at  Charles- 
town.  He  married  Mary  Howell  from  Long  Island,  N.  York.  He 
left  three  Sons  &  a  daughter.  The  eldest  Son  is  settled  on  Long 
Island,  William. 

Thomas  &  George,  are  Merchants  of  Boston. 

Mary,  lives  with  her  mother  in  Boston. 

Elizabeth,  my  mother,  of  whose  family  hereafter,  born  17  March, 
1739,  died  1  Nov.  1804. 

Sarah,  born  25  January,  1741,  died  unmarried  8  May,  1772,  set. 
32. 

Thojnas,  born  23  April,  1 743,  died  March  29,  1768,  at  Charles- 
town,  set.  25.     He  married  a  Sigourney,  but  left  no  children. 

Diana,  born  24  February,  1745.  She  married  Thomas  Adams  of 
Boston,  a  Master  of  a  Vessel,  &  Merchant,  &  had  several  children. 
She  lives  a  Widow  with  her  children  in  Boston,  died . 

John,  born  30  Dec.  1747,  died  12  Januarv,  1748. 

John,  born  22  Sept.  1750,  died  Oct.  5,  1784,  set.  34.  He  married 
a  Rich  of  Truro,  Cape  Cod.     He  left  one  child,  a  Daughter. 

Family  of  Joshua  &  Elizabeth  Bentley.  My  parents.  They  were 
married  by  Rev^  D''  Pemberton,  30  March,  1757.  Their  Children 
were  : 

Joshua,  born  May  11,  1758,  died  about  4  months  old. 

William,  born  22  June,  1759,  Friday. 

Joshua,  born  April,  1761,  died  May  19,  1777,  in  a  guardship, 
Halifax,  Nova  Scotia. 

Thomas  &  John,  Twins,  born  10  January,  1764,  Tuesday.  John 
died  at  7  months  of  age.  Thomas  since  married.  Died  11  Dec. 
1804,  set.  41. 

John,  born  21  Nov.  1765,  Wednesday. 

Mary  Paine,  born  13  January,  1768,  Thursday. 

Elizabeth ,\)Ovn  13  December,  1769,  Wednesday. 

Samuel,  born  ;'»  Dec.  1772,  died  about  5  years  old. 

Susannah,  born  Aug.  22,  1774,  Monday. 

Samuel,  born  April  8,  1777,  Tuesday. 

Caleb,  born  14  January,  1779,  died  at  3  months. 

Notice  is  taken  of  the  d.  of  Mary,  Wid.  of  Capt.  W.  Bentley, 
East  Greenwich,  R.  I.,  in  August,  1815,  set.  87.  Three  branches  of 
the  family  came.  One  settled  in  Virginia,  one  in  Rhode  Island  & 
one  in  Boston,  Massachusetts.   The  Settlement,  &c.  of  the  Children 

Thomas,  married  Mary  Skillings,  by  whom  he  had  : 

Richard,  born  Aug.  30,  1787,  Thursday. 

Thomas,  born  Nov.  10,  1788,  Monday,  died. 

Mary,  born  Jan.  20,  1790,  died  25  Sept.  following. 

Mary,  born  May  9,  1791,  Monday,  died. 

William,  born  July  9,  1792,  died. 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  121 

Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  15,  1794,  Sunday. 

Thomas,  born  March  22,  1795,  SundaJ^ 

Brother  Thomas  &  family  removed  to  Cape  Ann,  in  1796.  A 
Goldsmith,  apprentice  to  Emery,  Boston,  returned  to  Boston  in 
1799,  died  11  Dec.  1804. 

John  Bentley,  married  in  district  of  Maine,  15  July,  1792,  P21iza- 
beth  Blythe  (Settled  in  Maine,  was  a  Cooper,  App:  to  Hitchborne, 
Boston),  by  whom  he  had  :  John  &  Tobias,  Twins,  14  April,  1793, 
Sunday,  died  soon  after  birth.  Joshua,  born  1  July,  1794,  Tuesday. 
Mary,  born  4  May,  1796,  Wednesday.  Elizabeth,  John,  T.  Jeffer- 
son, W.  Madison. 

John's  Children  reported  in  the  year  of  his  death,  1814.  Joshua, 
21  y.  July,  1815.  Mary,  19  in  May,  1815.  Elizabeth,  17  in  Feb. 
1815.  John,  12  in  Oct.  1815.  T.  Jefferson,  10  in  June,  1815. 
Harriet  &  William,  7  Oct.  1815. 

Marij  Faine,  married  Robert  Dawes,  8  Nov.  1790.  A  Goldsmith, 
app.  to  Emery,  Boston.     Robert  Dawes  was  born  22  May,  1767,  at 

.     They  removed  from  Boston  to   Harvard    in    1793.     Their 

Children  were : 

Mary,  who  died  soon  after  birth.  Maria,  Eliza,  Sophia,  William 
Bentley.   [Robert,  Emily,  Harriet.] 

Elizabeth,  married  Henry  Fowle,  4  Nov.  1789.  Blockmaker, 
app.  to  Skillings,  Boston.  Henry  Fowle  was  born  19  Sept.  1766, 
at  Medford.  Living  in  Boston.  Elizabeth,  died  18  Jan.  1811,  aet. 
41.     Their  Children  : 

Henry,  born  22  Sept.  1790,  died  of  Small  pox. 

Elizabeth,  born  20  May  1792,  died  29  Dec.  1796. 

Henry,  born  19  [12  ?]  Jan.  1794. 

William  Bentley,  born  Oct.  17,  1795. 

Joshua  Bentley,  born  June  17,  1797. 

Elizabeth,  born  23  March,  1799. 

Henry  Fou'le  was  born  in  Medford,  Sept.  18,  1766  &  married  to 
Elizabeth  Bentley  in  Boston,  Nov.  1.  1789.     Their  Children : 

Henry,  born  Sept.  26,  1790,  died  Sept.  15,  1792. 

Betsey,  born  May  20,  1792,  died  Dec.  29,  1796. 

Henry  2d,  born  January  13,  1794. 

William  Bentley,  born  Oct.  17,  1795. 

Joshua  Bentley,  born  June  17,  1797. 

Betsey  2d,  born  March  21, 1799,  died  March  12,  1809. 

Thomas  Patten,  born  Dec.  5,  1800.     After  his  G.  Father. 

John  Skillin,  born  Aug.  5,  1802.     His  Father's  Uncle. 

George,  born  Sept.  4,  1804. 

Ann,  born  April  18,  1806. 

Caroline  &  Augusta,  Twins,  born  June  29,  1808.  Augusta  died 
May  1,  1809. 

The  Mother  died  January  18, 1811,  set.  41. 


122  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

Susanna,  married  Capt.  Charles  Woolley,  April  4,  1796,  by  whom 
she  had  children  : 

Susanna  Ann,  born  Oct.  8,  1800. 

Charles,  born  Aug.  4,  1802. 

Capt.  Wooley  died  Sept.  29,  1802. 

S^isanna  afterward  married  David  Child,  of  Groton,  in  1806  & 
had  by  him,  Mary  Paine,  Jan.  3,  1807. 

Samuel,  a  Cooper,  with  his  brother  John,  a  Blockmaker,  with  his 
Br.  Fowle,  was  married  to  Eebecca  Fowle  half  sister  of  the  above 
Henry  Fowle,  May  13,  1810,  &  have  children  : 

Elizabeth  Paine,  born  Feb.  13,  1811. 

Mary  Ann,  born  June  7,  1812,  died  June  1,  1816. 

Rebecca,  born  Sept.  24,  1814,  died  Nov.  11,  1816. 

Samuel,  born  Nov.  17,  1816. 

Henry  Fowle  was  again  married,  July  11,  1811,  to  Mary  Adams, 
daughter  of  Capt.  John  Adams  of  Boston,  died  in  child  bed,  July 
18,  1814,  set.  40,  leaving  no  offspring.  He  was  married  a  third  time, 
Dec.  1,  1814,  to  Ruth  Skimmer,  d.  of  Capt.  John  Skimmer  of  Bos- 
ton, &  a  relative  of  his  second  wife.  By  her  he  has  had  children  : 
Augusta,  born  1816,  &  Ruth,  1817. 

Henry  Fowle,  the  Son,  born  1794,  married  April  26,  1818,  to 
Mary  Elizabeth  Edes,  daughter  of  the  late  Edward  Edes,  at  the 
North  end,  Boston,  «&  g.  daughter  of  Justice  Gardner,  who  lived  in 
School  Street. 

Jan^  1,  1795.  Snow,  but  very  pleasant  evening.  Every  per- 
son remarks  the  most  agreable  weather  of  last  month.  26  fair  days 
in  December  are  rarely  to  be  found,  &  the  most  mild  weather ,  with- 
out even  the  changes  incident  to  our  Climate  &  the  season. 

2.  This  day  was  buried  from  the  Charity  House,  a  mariner  who 
was  brought  into  this  port  in  a  Vessel  bound  from  Jamaica  to  Ken- 
nebunk,  of  which  place  he  was  an  inhabitant.  The  Captain  being 
sick,  the  mate  undertook  to  bring  the  poor  fellow  ashore,  &  after 
hoisting  him  in  &  out  of  the  boat,  &  carrying  him  about  in  the 
streets  in  the  evening  for  lodgings,  the  mate  was  arrested  by  the 
police,  &  the  man  sent  immediately  to  the  Charity  House,  but  be- 
fore he  arrived  there  he  expired.  The  Mate  is  now  in  the  hands  of 
the  officer.  The  man  died  of  the  contagious  fever  of  the  West 
Indies. 

3.  Attended  the  funeral  of  a  Child  belonging  to  Teague,  Sexton 
of  M''  Fisher's  Episcopal  Church,  he  being  unable  to  attend  from 
lameness.  Great  censure  has  been  passed  upon  the  representation 
in  the  Gazette  respecting  Joseph  Grafton.  From  the  piece  it  has 
left  the  public  uncertain  whether  it  came  from  a  friend  or  an  ene- 
my. If  it  came  from  a  friend  as  is  supposed,  it  must  have  come 
from  a  fool,  talking  of  the  loss  of  reason  &  calm  resignation  in  the 
act  of  cutting  his  throat. 


1795]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  123 

4.  Sunday.  The  old  church  of  the  Ep.  Church  shut  up.  The 
morning  was  rainy,  &  stormy,  so  that  the  congregation  was  thin, 
only  four  women  on  the  floor  of  the  house.  At  one  the  sky  was 
clear  &  the  sun  bright.  A  M'  Hearsey,  who  lately  married  a  fine 
girl  of  my  acquaintance,  &  whom  I  saw  abroad  in  the  evening,  put 
an  end  to  his  life  last  night.  He  was  a  natire  of  Hingham,  &  a 
Hatter.  He  has  lately  forfeited  a  good  character,  &  been  exces- 
sively addicted  to  intemperance.  He  used  a  dose  of  Laudanum. 
Notes.  Samuel  Dodd  &  Wife  for  him  remaining  very  sick  &  in- 
firm. 

6.  Published  at  Carleton's  request  Jemmy  Jaip.  It  brought 
the  unhappy  man  over.  It  worked  liked  an  emetic.  He  rejected 
the  paper  with  disdain,  was  angry,  threatened,  &  won't  sleep  well 
this  night.*  The  Jury  of  inquest  was  called  upon  young  Hearsey, 
to  silence  the  clamours  of  the  people,  but  they  soon  decided  insane, 
upon  the  whole  conduct  of  the  past  year.  The  2  oz.  of  Laudanum 
which  betook  at  6  in  the  evening,  did  not  finish  him  till  past  12. 
D^  Holyoke  administered  the  most  violent  emetics  without  any 
apparent  effects.  The  most  violent  motions  were  given  him,  with 
the  same  success.  He  breathed  with  extreme  difficulty,  groaned,  & 
died  a  hard  death.  His  Father  was  in  Town  from  Hingham. 
Major  Saundersf  was  accepted  this  evening  &  Captain  Frye  admit- 
ted as  a  member  of  our  Lodge.  The  plan  of  our  Certificate  was 
viewed  in  the  Lodge  &  reported.  It  was  proposed  to  keep  a  trans- 
lation of  it  in  all  the  Languages  of  Europe  upon  the  Lodge  Books, 
to  be  transferred  at  the  request  of  the  members  to  the  back  of  their 
Certificates. 

7.  Departed  this  life,  Sarah  Putnam,  Daughter  of  General  Fiske. 
She  possessed  a  happy  tempei-,  &  was  an  agreeable  wife,  &  is  added 
to  the  list  of  bereavements,  which  have  been  multiplied  in  the  Gen- 
eral's Family.  She  was  in  her  23^^  year,  &  has  left  one  child,  a  son, 
behind.  The  weather  has  been  so  uniformly  pleasant  that  vege- 
tation has  continued  in  a  very  unusual  manner.  Tliree  Savoy  Heads 
of  Cabbage  were  presented  to  me  by  M""  Joshua  Phippen,  which 
since  the  first  of  November  had  formed  upon  stumps,  placed  in  the 
bottom  of  his  Cellar.  They  were  as  flourishing,  sweet  &  perfect  as 
any  I  ever  saw. 

10.  This  day  M"  Putnam,  daughter  of  General  Fiske  was  buried. 
The  funeral  procession  was  long.  The  Corpse  was  preceeded  by 
the  Cadet  Company,  of  which  M''  Putnam  is  an  Officer.  The  Marine 
Society  attended  after  the  mourners,  &  a  great  number  of  Citizens 
closed  the  procession.  We  have  a  melancholy  report  of  the  death 
of  Capt.  Benjamin  Orne  in  the  West  Indies.  As  a  resident  in  the 
same  house,  &  an  intimate  acquaintance,  I  should  be  sorry  to  have 
this  news  confirmed. 

*See  Salem  Gazette,  Jan.  (>,  1795. 

tMaj.  John  Saunders,  first  commander  of  tlie  Salem  Light  Infantry. 


124  DIARY  OP  [Jan. 

11.  Sunday.  An  arrangement  was  made  so  that  the  funeral  dis- 
course should  be  delivered  in  the  afternoon,  &  the  General  &  family- 
should  attend  in  the  morning  at  M""  Prince's  with  M"^  Putnam. 
Notes.  Sarah  Patterson,  delivery,  Husband  &  Br.  at  Sea.  John 
Piske  &  family,  d.  of  Daughter  Putnam. 

13.  We  are  told  that  great  as  have  been  our  losses  in  the  West 
Indies  they  have  lost  no  person  from  Marblehead  in  the  fisheries. 

14.  From  Newbury  we  learn  they  have  shifted  their  lights  on 
the  end  of  Plum  Island,  so  that  the  lights  abreast  might  bring  a 
vessel  over  the  Bar,  by  shewing  the  true  course. 

16.  M""  Wm  Priestley  paid  me  a  second  visit  in  company  with  a 
M""  Palmer,  Son  of  the  Minister  at  Hackney,  &  a  M''  Bunting  from 
Yorkshire,  A  M*"  Davison  was  with  them  on  his  journey  to  Kenne- 
beck  where  he  resides,  having  married  a  daughter  of  Gen.  Lithgow. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Collins  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  child  & 
p.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Sarah  Dodd  for  her  husband  very  low,  &  im- 
pared  by  paral.  stroke. 

19.  A  M""  John  Smith  was  brought  into  this  Town.  He  returned 
with  Capt.  Welman,  &  died  in  Boston  Harbour.  He  was  a  native 
of  Ipswich,  &  lived  with  his  family  in  our  neighbourhood. 

20.  Last  Evening  had  some  account  of  Jeheca.*  The  Island 
which  lays  between  the  two  branches  of  the  river,  with  the  high 
land  is  called  Hog  Island.  The  Peninsula  within,  Burnham's  Laud. 
The  small  Island  within  two  penny  Loaf  on  the  Gloucester  Shore 
opposite  Hog  Island  is  called  Corn  Island.  The  Island  in  the  south 
branch  called  Round  Island. 

21.  A  worthy  good  woman  M""*  Tompson  died  last  night  at  M"^ 
Ring's.  The  Children  out  in  richest  glee  enjoying  their  snow 
balls.  An  Illumination  was  proposed  in  the  Gazettes  of  Boston  on 
Thanksgiving  evening,  but  it  had  such  serious  opposition  from  the 
habits  of  the  people  who  observe  such  days  with  the  silence  of  Sun- 
day, that  in  the  next  papers  it  was  renounced  as  impracticable. 

22.  Capt.  Carnes  &  JNP  Turell  with  me  for  the  evening.  Capt. 
Frye  has  lost  one  of  his  men  by  desertion.  This  little  corps  is  com- 
posed of  some  unhappy  men  who  having  made  every  experiment 
upon  the  low  vices,  &  having  tried  the  air  &  discipline  of  our  goals 
&  the  castle,  are  now  upon  the  last  experiment  of  continental  wages 
at  three  dollars  p'  month. 

24.  Capt.  Becket  has  gone  with  his  cousin  David  Ingersoll  to 
take  possession  of  a  little  farm  in  Richmond,  N.  H.,  upon  our  line 
towards  Connecticut  river.  His  Brother  John  is  there  before  him. 
They  consider  their  Town  as  not  at  all  benefitted  by  the  want  of 
public  instruction,  &  the  visits  of  itinerants.  M'  D.  Ingersoll  was 
not  a  little  discouraged  &  dejected  when  he  left  us.  Serious  thoughts 
are  entertained  of  celebrating  the  President's  birthday,  &  D'"  Little 
is  spoken  of  as  the  Orator  of  the  day. 

•Chebacco,  now  the  town  of  Essex. 


1795J  WILLIAM   BENTLEV,    D.    D.  125 

25.  Sunday.  The  President's  proclamation  was  read,  &  the  as- 
sembly notified  of  an  intended  contribution  for  our  brethren  in 
Algiers,  should  the  matter  be  general,  as  the  printed  &  circulated 
papers  seemed  to  import.  Notes.  Tiiomas  Dean,  d.  of  his  G.  Child 
Waters,  &  p.  for  Brother  at  Sea.  Sarah  Kichardson  &  children,  d. 
of  her  Husband.     Mansfield  Burrill,  her  delivery. 

28.  In  the  evening  I  passed  a  few  hours  at  a  Young  Physician's, 
in  company  with  two  of  the  same  faculty,  a  young  Lawyer  &  a 
Clerk  of  a  Court.  I  never  felt  myself  in  a  more  awkward  or  disa- 
greable  situation.  The  young  Lawyer  teazed  me  with  endless  im- 
pertinent questions  &  quibbles.  The  young  p.  one  with  a  strange 
reserve,  another  with  talkative  conceit,  &  another  with  the  most 
marked  insignificance  employed  my  eyes,  my  ears  &  my  tongue 
upon  the  strange  jumble  of  characters  &  conversation.  The  poor 
Clerk  aided  the  ridiculous  scene,  by  a  desire  to  applaud  all  as  it 
passed.  Disgust  soon  succeeded  to  contempt.  Expressions  to 
emotions,  &  we  parted  early.  On  my  own  part  determined  not  soon 
to  be  in  so  painful  a  situation.  Am  I  unlike  the  world,  &  unfit  for 
it,  that  it  looks  so  to  me  ? 

30.  I  was  addressed  this  day  from  a  man  unknown  promising 
ample  rewards  if  I  would  disclose  means  to  find  the  precise  spot 
where  the  Pirates  110  years  since  hid  their  money  upon  Euler's 
Island  in  Maine.  The  man  said  that  he  had  been  digging  with  his 
Companions,  had  seen  the  chest,  but  it  had  escaped  from  them,  & 
they  knew  no  way  to  detain  it.  I  was  not  then  in  a  mood  to  pursue 
the  matter  in  any  form,  &  I  dismissed  the  man,  by  directing  him 
further,  without  asking  his  name. 

31.  The  M''  John  Richardson  for  whom  prayers  were  last  Sun- 
day, died  in  his  32"^  year.  He  attended  the  worship  of  the  English 
church.  His  wife  with  us.  He  was  a  native  of  Portsmouth  in 
England.  Died  on  his  passage  from  Virginia  to  Europe  out  a  fort- 
night on  board  Cap*  Godshall  of  this  Town.  He  died  of  the  India 
Flux,  as  it  is  known  among  us,  from  the  effects  of  a  former  voyage. 
He  has  left  3  children ,  two  boys,  all  young. 

Feb.  1.  [1795]  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Wyatt,  d.  of  G.  child 
Wyatt.  Jane  Wyatt,  d.  of  only  daughter.  Nancy  Crandall,  deliv- 
ery, husband  at  Sea. 

2.  M'"^  Hooper  aged  90  years  died  this  afternoon.  She  has  been 
known  by  living  with  Robert  at  the  Corner  of  Bridge  Street,  in  an 
old  house  now  to  be  taken  down. 

3.  There  was  a  vessel  of  100  Tons,  launched  at  Becket's  Yard 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  Town. 

4.  Went  for  Boston,  a  Complement  to  Capt.  John  Gibaut,  who 
is  to  sail  from  Boston  to  the  East  Indies,  &  also  to  see  the  Elegant 
collection  of  French  Books  which  M'  E.  H.  Derby,  Jun'  has  pur- 
chased. They  amount  to  700  Volumes,  an  unusual  purchase  in  our 
Country.     I  failed  of  the  last  object  from  the  Absence  of  M'  Derby 


126  DIARY  OP  [Feb. 

whom  I  met  on  the  road  going  to  Boston  on  my  return.  At  Boston 
I  saw  the  PANORAMA,  a  catch  penny  shew,  but  not  without  its 
merit  in  our  Infant  Country.  It  encourages  better  attempts.  I 
heard  that  from  Foster's  Pasture  the  New  Court  House*  would 
probably  be  projected  for  the  pasture  near  Gov  :  Hancock's,which  has 
been  offered  for  the  Purpose.  Great  Repairs  visible  in  Boston  since 
I  was  there.  Prepai-ations  for  building  the  New  Frigate  at  Hart's 
Yard.  Vessels  fitting  for  East  Indies.  Great  Exportation  of  Sil- 
ver. Violent  opposition  to  Jacobins.  Two  publications  for  the 
ensuing  Thanksgiving.  One  by  the  president,  &  the  other  accom- 
panied with  the  Gov's  approbation. 

5.  Lodged  last  night  at  my  Father's,  &  spent  the  morning  with 
Deacon  Ridgway,  D""  Lathrop  &  M""  Eliot.  At  College  the  Tutors 
resigned,  it  is  said  in  hopes  to  have  their  Salaries  raised,  but  new 
ones  have  been  elected  in  their  places  excepting  of  one  who  urged 
the  resignation  &  seasonably  withdrew  his  name,  by  that  meanness 
which  belongs  to  some  men. 

6.  Communicated  to  the  Printer  several  papers  on  the  following 
subjects,  Comparison  of  Agriculture  of  France  with  England.  Veg- 
etable Paper  of  Schmidt.  Population  of  Rome.  Representation  in 
England.  Revenue  of  Ireland.  State  of  the  West  Indies,  &  reve- 
nue of  East  Indies.    Anecdote  of  Geddes  &  Epitaph  at  Guildford. 

7.  The  blow  last  Thursday  week  from  the  S.  W.  was  severe. 
Not  so  much  felt  at  Boston  as  at  Salem,  &  more  severely  as  we  go 
eastward.  It  did  considerable  damage  at  Portland,  &  the  Grand 
Turk  of  this  port  suffered  much  in  it  coming  on  the  Coast. 

8.  Sunday,  Notes.  Jane  Wyatt,  recovery  of  her  eldest  Son. 
Sam^  Dodd  &  Wife  for  him  sick.  Andrew  Ward  &  Wife,  Her  de- 
livery, Brother  at  Sea. 

9.  Rev*^  Thomas  Bernard  in  addition  to  his  Doctorate  at  Rhode- 
island  t  has  a  Crowner  from  Edinburg,  we  are  told  by  the  interces- 
sion of  his  friend  Thomas  Russel  of  Boston. 

10.  D"^  Priestley's  late  pamphlet,  being  a  continuation  of  his 
Letters,  &c.  was  ready  at  the  Salem  Press,  this  day.  I  have  en- 
gaged several  copies,  &  have  encouraged  the  impression.  This 
evening  the  Town,  upon  a  notice  in  the  Gazette,  assembled  to  con- 
sider of  the  intended  contribution  for  the  Algerine  prisoners.  But 
when  together,  the  notice  was  found  to  be  unsubscribed,  the  Officers 
of  the  peace  had  not  been  convened,  the  Town  had  no  power  in 
a  legal  assembly  to  direct  the  religious  incorporations,  their  mem- 
bers nor  committees  had  been  cited,  or  notified,  no  plan  was  laid,  & 
upon  the  whole  it  was  determined  to  adjourn  till  the  Annual  March 
meeting,  a  few  words  convincing  them  that  the  Subject  did  not  in 
any  way  come  before  them. 

13.  A  notorious  Negro  Selling  master  was  killed  in  his  bed  at  An- 

*Tbe  present  State  House. 
(Brown  Univeriity. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  127 

dover  last  night  by  a  Negro  who  is  represented  as  Insane  &  has  been 
in  long  confinement.  A  Fit  of  Insanity  came  upon  a  lad  named 
Buteman  this  day  in  this  Town.  The  Officers  of  the  peace  gave 
orders  to  apprehend  him,  &  to  watch  him,  that  he  might  do  no 
mischief. 

14.  Upon  an  engagement  to  exchange  with  Rey^  Eliot  of  Bos- 
ton, I  went  to  Boston.  The  improvements  are  really  great  in  their 
Buildings,  especially  in  "West  Boston.  The  matter  seems  nearly 
settled  that  the  Court  House  shall  be  in  Governour's  Pasture,  on 
the  side  of  the  Road  ascending  Beacon  Hill  from  the  Common. 
The  Clergy  have  very  much  neglected  their  interchanges  among 
themselves.  Such  interchanges  are  universal  almost,  but  less  fre- 
quent. It  is  a  matter  of  charity  rather  than  as  formerly  of  con- 
venience. They  are  more  considered  in  point  of  faith,  &  are 
indulged  rather  than  approved  in  each  other's  pulpit. 

15.  Sunday.  The  Congregation  belonging  to  the  New  North 
Church  was  much  changed  since  my  attendance  in  it  in  youth.  The 
galleries  were  less  crowded,  &  partly  removed.  The  Assembly  was 
chiefly  on  the  floor,  which  is  large.  There  are  not  more  houses  of 
worship  in  the  North  end  of  Boston  than  50  years  ago,  but  they  are 
differently  filled.  The  Two  anabaptist  Societies  &  the  Universa- 
lists  have  thronged  Galleries,  &  the  Lowest  class  of  people  neglect 
public  worship,  having  indeed  descended  below  their  former  condi- 
tion. They  have  no  Grammar  school  for  the  learned  Languages  in 
the  North  part  of  the  Town  as  formerly. 

16.  M'^  Freeman  accompanied  me  to  several  new  buildings. 
Over  the  Arch  of  the  Tontine  Segment,*  I  was  led  to  the  Room 
now  fitting  for  the  Town  Library.  It  is  to  be  finished  in  a  Circular 
form,  &  has  a  very  promising  appearance  in  the  present  progress  of 
the  work.  Over  this  Room  the  Historical  Society  have  their 
apartment,  which  is  to  be  finished  in  a  Square.  Several  natural 
Curiosities  are  already  collected,  &  a  foundation  is  laid  for  a  good 
Library  upon  the  plan  of  their  institution.  The  principal  Books 
respecting  America  have  been  already  collected  but  their  number 
is  small.  Piles  of  Gazettes  afford  the  eye  little  entertainment. 
Their  Table  is  of  an  oval  form  &  suits  the  general  appearance  of 
the  Room.  We  passed  from  the  Tontine  buildings  to  the  Theatre, 
into  which  we  were  admitted  by  Col.  Tyler.  We  visited  the  gal- 
lery, the  Slips,  the  Boxes,  &  from  the  Boxes  had  a  view  of  the  As- 
sembly Room  which  we  did  not  enter.  The  Theatre  is  handsomely 
finished,  but  as  it  was  the  first  building  of  the  kind  which  I  had 
ever  seen,  I  was  pleased,  rather  than  disposed  to  judge.  I  found 
the  friends  of  the  Theatre  were  not  a  little  solicitous  to  induce  the 
Clergy  to  attend  the  exhibitions,  &  they  invited  us  to  the  Theatre 
as  they  would  have  invited  us  to  a  Lecture  from  some  favorite 
Preacher,  without  leaving  you  to  yourself,  &  not  suffering  the  sub- 

*0n  Franklin  street. 


128  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

ject  to  pass,  till  you  had  given  your  opinion  or  your  excuse.     The 
Clergy  of  Boston  have  not  generally  attended. 

17.  Exertions  are  raaking,  &  Subscriptions  are  out  for  a  petition 
to  open  Pleasant  street  into  Bridge  Street  below  the  Workhouse,  & 
so  to  continue  from  Essex  Street.  There  are  purposes  to  republish 
the  work  of  Calef ,  which  made  such  a  figure  in  opposition  to  the 
Witchcraft. 

18.  News  of  the  Confinement  of  a  Captain  Wood  of  this  Town, 
at  Boston,  for  cruelty  towards  a  boy  in  his  custody,  a  Spaniard,  by 
which  he  miserably  died.  This  affair  has  engaged  the  public  re- 
sentment but  the  cry  with  some  is,  money  answers  all  things,  can't 
you  buy  him  off.  I  received  a  letter  from  one  of  the  Beverly  en- 
thusiasts without  rhyme  or  reason.  This  may  be  a  prelude  to  some 
religious  contention. 

19.  The  Thanksgiving  day.  The  House  was  thin.  The  Contri- 
bution for  the  Poor  exceeded  10£.  The  music  Avas  the  first 
attempt  of  an  Anthem  for  these  many  years,  &  would  have  suc- 
ceeded well,  had  it  not  been  for  a  raw  boy,  admitted  into  the  Seats. 
There  was  not  a  Contribution  in  all  the  congregations,  nor  in  such 
as  contributed  for  the  poor  only.  They  contributed  also  to  assist 
the  Church  Music. 

20.  Employed  myself  in  providing  the  Plan  of  the  Town,  which 
has  been  miserably  left  by  the  young  men  employed  upon  it. 

21.  Wrote  a  certificate  for  the  daughters  of  Count  DeGrasse, 
named,  Amelia  Maxima  Rosalia  Grasse,  Justina  Adelais  Maxima 
Grasse,  Melania  Veronica  Maxima  Grasse,  Sylvia  Alexandrina 
Maxima  Grasse.  They  arrived  from  France  at  Boston,  July  7, 
1794  &  have  since  lived  at  this  Town,  Chiefly  at  Robertson's,  & 
lately  at  Col.  Pickman's  House  adjoining  to  his  mansion.  They 
have  behaved  well. 

22.  Sunday.  Mathew  Vincent  &  Wife  her  delivery.  Lydia 
Newhall,  her  delivery,  husband  &  friends  at  Sea.  Abigail  Archer, 
her  delivery,  husband  &  friends  at  Sea,  Brothers.  Samuel  Dodd, 
yet  remaining  sick. 

23.  On  Monday  engaged  with  Cap*  B.  Ward  to  visit  the  Town 
Land  in  &  near  the  great  Pasture.  We  left  the  Town  about  10  in 
the  morning,  &  directed  our  Course  for  the  bend  in  Pickering's 
wall,  near  what  is  commonly  called  Curtis'  folly.  We  were  told  by 
M"^  Medcalf  who  lives  in  Flints'  Pasture,  which  is  within  the  limits 
of  Great  Pasture  near  clay  Brook,  that  from  Curtis'  Folly  we  passed 
Acorn  Hills,  &  Brook,  Barnes  Hill,  Lord's  Hill,  Thistle  Hill,  Long 
Swamp,  near  which  was  the  Tree  &  Stones  in  Pickering  Pasture. 
Here  Pickering's  Lane  puzzled  us.  We  thought  we  had  reached 
Ash  Swamp,  &  did  not  correct  our  error  till  we  foimd  on  the  range 
of  this  wall,  Lower  Danvers  Meeting  House,  &  Town,  &  observed 
above  us  the  remarkable  Stones  laying  on  the  Hills  eastwards  of 
Boston  Road.    We  persevered  till  we  reached  the  Lynn  line  near  to 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  129 

the  Spring  Pond.  We  then  passed  the  Bohl  rock  mentioned  in  the 
perambulation  between  the  Fond  &  Maple  Stump,  Mounted  l^elly- 
haek  Hill,  Timber  Hills,  &  continued  on  Lynn  side  of  Ash  Swamp, 
passing  the  wall  on  the  Eastern  part  of  it,  having  passed  Alister's 
Swamp  near  which  there  is  a  mark  of  Allister's  Cellar,  &  continued 
down  to  Rattlesnake  Rock,  from  which  we  had  a  full  view  of  Chip 
Bridge  &  the  whole  extent  of  the  Great  Swamp.  We  found  its 
straitest  side  upon  Picknian  land,  its  widest  part  towards  the  two 
indentures  on  the  side  towards  the  pasture.  We  had  a  full  view  of 
Pine  hill  at  the  lower  part  of  the  Swamp  towards  Forest  River  and 
we  saw  the  opening  by  which  Pine  Swamp  communicates  with  the 
Great  Swamp,  &  which  has  also  part  of  its  water  from  Blueberry 
Swamp  on  the  Line  of  Pickman's  Land,  between  Salem  &  Lynn. 
We  find  that  there  has  already  been  a  controversy  whether  the 
natural  obstructions  should  Ije  removed  which  would  bring  the 
waters  of  the  Great  Swamp  down  by  Clay  Brook  to  the  mill  pond, 
rather  than  suffer  them  to  pass  by  Forest  River.  This  might  easily 
be  done,  but  things  were  left  in  their  natural  State.  Just  below 
Cottonwool  swamp,  so  called  from  the  curious  mess  on  the  rocks,  & 
which  communicates  with  Forest  River,  is  Round  Swamp  which 
communicates  immediately  with  Clay  Brook.  This  seperates 
Holmes  Neck  from  the  Great  Pasture,  having  Forest  river,  Cotton 
swamp,  Round  Swamp  &  Cold  Spring  as  its  Boundaries.  We  found 
upon  the  S.  E.  side  of  the  hill  between  Medcalf's  &  the  Hospital, 
the  Cellar  of  the  House  in  which  Holmes  lived.  He  removed  after- 
wards to  the  situation  of  Pickman's  House.  We  found  Clay  Brook 
run  S.  E.  under  a  corner  of  Medcalf's  wall,  &  passed  out  near  the 
corner  of  the  opposite  wall,  running  near  the  upper  wall  of  his  pas- 
ture, &  so  till  it  received  the  waters  of  Round  Swamp.  The  upper 
Divisional  wall  was  made  about  7  years  since.  After  we  pass  the 
bars  in  the  divisional  wall  near  great  monument  we  mount  the  hills 
called  Spring  Hills.  Belly  Hack  Hill  is  nigh  Ash  Swamp.  The 
very  high  hill  toward  the  Great  Swamp  is  the  Head  of  the  Timber 
Hills. 

25.  Subscriptions  about  for  the  Sermon  preached  on  the  last 
Thanksgiving  by  D""  Bernard  of  this  Town.  The  Audience  was 
thin,  but  it  is  highly  praised  &  the  subscribers  are  large  in  their 
numbers  &  probably  will  succeed.  It  is  said  that  Bradford  of 
Rowley  has  given  one  of  pure  democracy,  that  several  will  be 
printed  in  Boston,  &  that  a  counterpart  is  wanted.  We  shall  not 
have  as  I  expect  an  Osgood's  Sermons,  but  a  betwixt  &  between, 
without  any  new  or  well  defined  opinions  whatever.  The  Clergy 
are  now  the  Tools  of  the  Federalists,  &  Thanksgiving  Sermons  are 
in  the  order  of  the  Day. 

26.  A  Ship  has  laid  below  the  Town  for  whose  fate  we  were 
anxious,  but  they  have  been  visited  from  Marblehead  &  are  found 
to  have  come  from  Maine  towards  Boston.     The  Singing  this  even- 


130  DIARY  OP  [March 

ing  on  the  second  night  of  the  new  establishment  was  attended  by 
several  little  boys.     Our  prospects  are  not  great. 

28.  The  whole  harbour  frozen  over  which  has  not  been  the  case 
for  these  two  years  past. 

March  1.  [1795]  Sunday.  Notes.  Nathaniel  Rogers,  d.  of 
youngest  child. 

2.  When  I  consider  the  rash  zeal  with  which  the  clergy  have 
embarked  in  the  controversy  respecting  Constitution  &  Clubs,  I 
could  not  help  thinking  of  a  place  in  this  Town,  called  Curtis' 
folly.  The  good  man  attempting  to  descend  a  steep  place,  thought 
it  best  to  take  off  one  pair  of  his  oxen  &  tackle  them  behind.  But 
while  the  other  cattle  drove  down  hill,  they  drew  the  others  down 
hill  backwards  &  broke  their  necks.  Had  the  French  Clergy  con- 
tinued with  the  people  &  meliorated  their  tempers  they  would  have 
served  them  &  the  nobility.  But  by  rashly  joining  the  emigrants 
they  have  irritated  the  people  &  have  become  a  useless  load  upon 
their  friends,  who  can  hardly  pity  &  never  loved  them. 

3.  Several  of  our  poorer  inhabitants  have  enlisted  in  the  corps 
of  State  Militia  stationed  at  Fort  William  in  this  Town.  We  find 
what  will  make  soldiers.  Several  Roads  are  thought  of  to  be  laid 
out  at  the  next  March  Meeting.  The  Continuation  of  Pleasant 
Street  into  Bridge  Street.  Of  Derby  Street  through  the  Rope  Walk 
till  you  reach  the  Neck.  Across  the  Lots  between  Essex  Street  & 
Pickering  Hill,  &  upon  the  River  Lots  in  Northfield  leading  to 
Frye's. 

4.  We  are  told  that  Congress  have  bestowed  upon  the  daughters 
of  Count  de  Grasse,  who  are  in  this  Town,  the  sum  of  a  thousand 
dollars  each. 

6.  D"^  Cutler,  our  noted  Botanist,  in  a  high  rage  at  a  paragraph 
in  the  paper  which  implies  his  inaccuracy,  &  not  having  found  the 
Asclepias  syriace.  I  have  sent  on  Bomare's  discription  under  the 
name  Aporynum,  majtis  from,  Bomare,  which  may  serve  to  stop  his 
noise,  after  having  published  his  folly  &  his  real  ignorance. 

7.  D'  Bernard's  Thanksgiving  Sermon  has  appeared  but  I  do 
not  think  it  can  add  much  solid  reputation. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Nancy  Masury,  delivery.  Husband  & 
friends  at  Sea.    Sarah  Waters,  delivery,  Husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 

9.  Another  Letter  from  D""  C.  in  which  he  threatens  to  publish 
every  anecdote,  true  or  false,  if  he  has  provocation,  &  tremblingly 
alive,  calls  for  vengeance,  hopes  to  negociate,  &  then  seems  ready 
to  beg  for  terms.  The  Annual  Town  Meeting  this  day.  It  was  not 
full  in  either  part  of  the  day.  The  Debates  were  not  managed  with 
clearness,  and  personal  quarrels  made  their  appearance.  The 
Town  Of&cers  were  chosen  with  calmness.  M""  E.  H.  Derby  jun' 
resigned  as  Selectman,  &  M*"  Jon*  Lambert  was  elected  in  his  place. 
Pains  are  to  be  taken  to  remove  all  obstructions  in  the  public 
roads.     No  money  was  to  be  appropriated  for  pavements.   The  New 


REV.    MANASSEH   CUTLER. 
From   a   painting   by    N.    Lakeman  in   the   possession   of  the    Essex    Institute. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  131 

toads  to  be  considered  &  reported  by  Selectmen  at  the   adjourn- 
ment.    New  officer  of  Inspector  of  Lime  chosen. 

10.  Employed  myself  upon  one  of  the  French  Watches  which 
did  not  iise  the  Special  Barrell  but  carried  its  power  in  the  Barrell. 
This  method  is  generally  condemned  by  the  Artificers  of  the  pres- 
ent day. 

11.  This  morning  took  a  walk  upon  the  Western  Sands  of  the 
Town  to  observe  the  Course  of  the  waters. 

12.  Cutler  again  in  Town.  He  has  given  up  his  Gazette,  & 
taken  away  his  paper.  He  has  entered  for  the  Gazette  again  &  re- 
turned his  paper  softened.  So  it  is  at  length  to  appear.  Report 
brought  to  me  that  John  Pynchon,  an  attorney,  from  the  papers  of 
his  Father,  is  about  to  compose  a  History  of  this  Town.  I  was  in- 
formed of  it  by  a  friend,  whether  from  privity,  or  by  accident  I  do 
not  know.  He  denies  the  first.  I  have  made  such  overtures  as  will^ 
I  hope,  ascertain  the  fact,  &  so  regulate  my  conduct  in  the  same 
undertaking. 

13.  A  violent  Snow  Storm  at  N.  E.  It  continued  all  day  & 
the  night  preceeding  without  cessation  till  4  oc.  P.  M.  It  drove 
several  vessels  from  their  Anchors,  &  the  Wharves.  One  ship  was 
on  Beacon  Point,  another  beyond  it,  &  small  vessels  ashore  on  all 
the  range  of  the  Leeward.  We  have  heard  it  was  much  worse  in 
Marblehead.  That  their  Fishing  craft  were  driven  from  their  moor- 
ings &  some  of  them  sunk.  Particulars  in  or  out  of  Town  have 
not  reached  us.  I  walked  out  at  noon.  Snow  foot  deep  &  stifling. 
I  found  few  persons  abroad  at  that  time  of  day,  even  near  the 
wharves.     We  cannot  say  we  have  had  no  winter. 

15.  Sunday.  A  Contribution  for  the  Singing  at  which,  upon  the 
notice  of  the  morning,  was  collected  31  dollars.  A  Drunken  Sol- 
dier gave  us  disturbance  in  the  gallery.  The  second  interruption 
from  the  same  cause.  His  Companion  after  having  led  him  out 
returned  to  his  seat. 

16.  This  day  the  Selectmen  staked  out  the  Roads  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  Town  for  which  the  petitions  are  now  depending.  The 
first  being  a  continuation  of  Derby  Street,  till  it  reach  the  neck,  & 
by  the  elbow  to  avoid  the  Shore,  it  comes  out  just  within  the  cor- 
ner of  the  present  road,  before  we  leave  the  outer  lot.  The  other 
Road  is  the  continuation  of  Pleasent  Street  into  Bridge  Street. 
This  is  staked  out  nearly  in  a  line  with  the  Street  after  we  leave  the 
Common.  Other  Roads  have  been  proposed  in  both  these  places. 
From  English  Street  above  English's  House  to  the  old  road  at  Di- 
man's  House  on  the  Cove,  &  from  Pleasent  Street  opposite  to 
Locust  Street. 

17.  Prayed  &  Dined  with  the  District  Court.  I  found  an 
ingenuous  frankness  in  Judge  Lowell,  &  much  political  informa- 
tion. W  Gore  the  attorney,  M""  Goodale  the  Clerk,  &  Col.  Brad- 
ford, the  Marshall,  formed  this  judiciary  body.  We  drank  Tea  at  M""* 


132  DIARY  OF  [March 

Neal's,  a  very  handsome  Lady,  &  we  supped  &  spent  the  evening 
at  Esq""  Pulling's,  where  Judge  Lowell  gave  us  his  company.  M"" 
Cutler  appeared  in  the  Gazette  with  all  the  bitterness  of  wrath  & 
the  highest  charges  of  carping,  ignorance,  &  even  baseness. 

19.  No  distressing  reports  from  our  Coasts  as  we  expected. 
News  that  a  vessel  has  been  seen  from  Isle  of  France,  in  which  we 
are  apprehensive  several  of  our  vessels  are  detained.  The  great 
Ship,  so  called,*  which  was  built  in  this  Town  by  E.  H.  Derby,  has 
been  sold  in  New  York  for  32,000  Dollars.  She  was  much  too 
large  for  our  Port  &  the  method  of  our  Trade. 

20.  "  The  Jew,"  by  Cumberland,  &  <'  Every  man  has  his  fault," 
are  celebrated  by  our  best  Judges  as  fine  pieces  now  upon  the  Bos- 
ton Theatre.  They  feel  the  Compliment  of  a  Visit  to  the  Theatre, 
as  our  Country  Gentlemen  used  to  receive  the  news  of  a  Visit  to 
their  Minister.  Repeated  complaints  have  been  made  of  the  Sol- 
diers in  the  Fort,  &  several  quarrels  have  happened  already.  Being 
often  drunk  they  have  also  been  insolent  to  women  in  various  in- 
stances. This  day  Derby  Street  was  surveyed  by  Compass  &  a 
sworn  Surveyor,  on  account  of  some  controversies  between  Mess''* 
Derby,  Forrester,  &  Brown,  &c.  about  encroachments.  The  Compass 
variation  was  fixed  10  minutes  short  of  the  observation  7°  in  1763, 
&  Derby  was  found  among  his  neighbours. 

21.  Provisions  very  high.  Beef  from  8  to  10  Cents.  Veal  10 
Cents,  &  every  other  article  in  proportion.  Owing  to  the  Exporta- 
tion &  the  exchange  of  money  from  Banks,  &c. 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Ropes,  her  delivery,  Husband  & 
Brethren  at  Sea. 

23.  Had  another  walk  into  the  great  pasture,  &  hired  Medcalf 
who  lives  there  to  accompany  me.  I  was  sorry  that  I  had  not  a 
compass  upon  which  I  might  depend.  We  began  in  the  corner  of 
the  Hospital  wall  &  we  found  the  Cellar  of  Holmes'  House  from 
the  Corner  of  Hospital  wall,  N.  40  E.  Below  the  hill  we  saw  a 
small  swamp  emptying  into  Forrest  River.  At  the  foot  of  the  Hill 
westward  10  rods  from  bend,  a  Garden  with  Stone  wall.  Perhaps 
five  rods  length  on  the  wall  &  6  to  the  inner  wall.  Hospital  faces 
due  South,  other  building  inclines  7°  eastward.  Smoak  House 
bears  from  Lower  Corner  of  the  Cleansing  House,  E.  20  S.  We 
visited  the  Pine  Hill,  round  which  the  Great  Swamp  disposes  its 
water  into  Forrest  River.  Here  we  had  a  fine  view  of  Blueberry 
Swamp  which  empties  into  Great  Swamp.  We  then  passed  the 
Causeway  over  the  run  of  Great  Swamp  &  reached  upon  the  north 
side  Conconut  Hollow,  where  the  Trees  grew,  &  where  is  a  fine  liv- 
ing spring  of  the  Purest  water.  There  is  also  a  Spring  from  Monu- 
ment Hill,  which  empties  into  Great  Swamp.  We  came  afterwards 
to  LONG  SWAMP.  It  runs  between  a  ridge  of  Hills  called  on  the 
West  Side,  Timber  Hills,  &  on  the   eastern    Side,    Spring   Hills. 

»The  Grand  Turk. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  133 

Spring  Hills  have  several  Springs,  &  empty  them  into  Long 
Swamp,  The  principal  empties  nearly  opposite  to  the  Kun  from 
Ash  Swamp.  At  the  same  place  is  a  run  from  the  Sheep  Pasture 
by  Belly  Hack.  Here  we  came  to  Alister's  run,  or  the  Long  Swamp 
near  the  garden,  &  place  of  Alister's  House.  Where  Alister's 
House  stood,  there  probably  could  have  been  no  proper  Cellar.  The 
Garden  is  due  E.  from  the  House,  rather  higher  upon  the  Hill,  &  the 
wall  is  quite  visible.  Lord's  Hill,  the  Highest  Land  was  N.  Belly 
Hack  Swamp,  was  W.  20  S.  Rail,  or  Thistle  Hill  lay  between 
Lords  &  Pickering  Hill  which  is  in  the  bend  of  the  Sheep  wall. 
Barnes'  Hill  &  Swamp  was  below  the  Monument.  Acorn  brook  en- 
tering the  great  Pasture  ran  a  S.  E.  course  from  the  wall.  Split 
Rock  Spring  was  50  rods,  about,  on  the  other  side  of  the  wall  empty- 
ing into  Acorn  Brook.  Canted  Rock  on  the  Hills  ranging  with 
Boston  road,  W,  40  N.  There  is  near  the  upper  divisional  wall  of 
Pickering's  Pasture,  a  Spring  called  Flat  Rock  Sprilng. 

24.  Took  another  walk  to  examine  Castle  Hill  Is  and,  for  it  is 
such  every  high  Tide.  Observed  at  the  Corner  of  the  road  turning 
up  towards  the  Hospital  "from  Marblehead  road,  the  House  on  the 
Hill  over  the  Farm  House.  After  entering  the  gate  there  is  a 
nole  rather  to  the  right  hand,  below  which  the  water  passes  at  full 
tide  across. 

25.  Had  my  walk  from  Porter's  River  round  the  Shore  of  Horse 
Pasture  Point  till  I  reached  North  Field  Bridge. 

26.  The  Rope  walk  is  the  principal  obstruction  to  Derby  Street, 
to  the  great  detriment  of  our  part  of  the  Town.  Parties  were 
warm,  angry  &  insolent. 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sam.  Ropes  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  Brother 
Abroad,  &  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Seeth  Ropes,  d.  of  her  Hus- 
band's Brother,  pr.  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  At  three  o'clock 
on  Monday  morning  a  Fire  broke  out  in  a  Barn  belonging  to  M' 
Dunlap,  formerly  the  property  of  Joseph  White.  The  fire  had 
made  great  progress  before  it  was  discovered,  the  building  being 
down  Hardy's  Lane  &  away  from  Derby  Street.  The  time  was 
favourable  to  the  checks  it  received.  It  was  dead  calm,  otherwise 
it  would  have  been  impossible  to  have  saved  the  adjoining  &  neigh- 
bouring buildings.  The  tide  was  out,  &  no  relief  from  that  quar- 
ter. The  wells  were  few  &  soon  exhausted.  Had  there  been  any 
wind  the  whole  must  have  been  sacrificed.  The  people  turned  out 
slowly. 

30.  The  generous  kindness  of  our  Marine  Society's  committee 
will  deserve  grateful  recollection.  A  Vessel  belonging  to  Connec- 
ticut River,  put  in  here  in  distress.  The  captain  &  two  hands  were 
dead.  The  mate  &  one  hand  did  the  duty,  &  two  were  sick  &  dis- 
abled below.  Their  Sails  were  chiefly  gone,  &  they  were  in  danger 
of  the  rocks  when  they  entered  our  harbour  in  a  storm  last  friday. 
Captain  Collins  deserves  particular  praise.     They  got  off  cables  & 


134  DIARY  OF  [April 

anchors  to  them,  &  Capt.  Collins  did  every  service  for  them  till  they 
were,  on  Sunday  morning,  taken  on  shore  &  carried  to  the  Pest 
House.     Their  Provisions  were  made  at  Capt.  Collins'  own  house. 

April  1.  [1795]  The  whole  Town  upon  me  for  the  whipping 
said  to  have  been  given  me  by  Cutler  in  the  last  Gazette. 

8.  The  noted  Barbary  Waters  died  at  Wenham,  past  90  years. 
She  belonged  to  the  family  of  the  Williams,  &  was  maintained  by 
them.     Delirious  in  the  old  maid  fashion. 

9.  The  losses  at  Bermuda  vex  the  people  in  Commerce  very 
much.  But  we  have  no  refuge.  Navy  we  have  none.  Armies  we 
cannot  command  except  against  Canada.  We  give  the  greatest  as- 
sistance to  France  by  our  supplies.  Provisions  are  very  high  from 
the  great  demand,  &  some  articles  are  to  be  obtained  with  difficulty 
at  any  price. 

11.  Making  enquiry  into  the  History  of  the  farm  upon  the 
Neck.  M.  Renew  insists  upon  her  particular  knowledge  of  Tapley 
from  whom  her  G.  Father  bought  the  Tavern  House,  that  one 
Crow*  lived  upon  the  Island  while  it  was  the  property  of  Col.  Hig- 
ginson,  &  that  the  house  was  deserted  some  time  before  it  was 
taken  away. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Malcom,  delivery,  sick,  husband 
at  Sea.     Reuben  Shed  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

16.  Gen.  Fiske's  Sloop  arrived  this  evening  into  port,  with  the 
master  &  Crew  of  Derby's  Great  Ship  from  New  York,  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  visiting  Young  Derby's  fine  Library. 

17.  Patterson  has  arrived.  He  was  carried  into  Monserrat,  but 
dismissed,  having  been  upon  a  European  voyage,  &  touching  at  the 
West  Indies  upon  his  return.  His  owner  was  G.  Williams,  who 
has  been  a  warm  abetter  of  the  English,  &  some  persons  have 
wished  him  a  full  share  in  the  sufferings. 

19.  Sunday.  John  Collins  sen.,  Wife  &  children,  for  him  dan- 
gerously sick.  Hannah  Webb,  delivery,  Husband  &  Brethren  at 
Sea.  M''  Dodd  died  this  day,  after  having  passed  through  the  most 
painful  &  lingering  sickness.  From  early  life  he  was  troubled  with 
an  involuntary  motion  of  the  head,  &  being  a  Ropemaker  was  fre- 
quently seized  with  fainting.  These  evils  terminated  in  convul- 
sions, excessive  pains  in  the  head,  swellings  in  the  Breast,  &  final 
ly  in  the  palsy.  He  lived  beyond  all  expectation  through  the 
winter,  &  seemed  to  recover,  so  as  to  walk  a  few  days  ago  to  the 
Ropewalk.  He  died  after  loss  of  appetite  with  frequent  complaints 
of  want  of  breath,  but  no  returns  of  his  former  complaints  in  any 
unusual  degree. 

21.  Launched  at  Briggs',  a  fine  copper  bottomed  Ship,t  above 
200  Tons  burden,  for  M'  Derby.  Another  is  ready  upon  North 
River  at  Frye's  mills.     Yesterday  Mr  Ward,  the  Surveyor,    put   a 

*Crowell? 

tThe  ketch  John. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  135 

drain  across  East  Street,  which  is  one  step  towards  clearing  that 
infamous  mud  hole.  M""*  Hathorne  intends  to  remove  her  fence 
which  will  cover  as  private  property  another  part,  &  the  Bridge  be- 
low we  trust  will  remove  the  whole. 

24.  A  Vessel  launched  at  Fry's  mill,  but  grounded  as  soon  as 
she  was  in  the  water. 

26.     Sunday.     Mary  Whittemore,  sudden  death  of  her  Sister. 

May  2.  [1795]  Saw  the  raising  of  Hosmer's  House.*  Capt.  Lee 
from  Grenada  writes  that  he  has  lost  4  hands  out  of  six  from  his 
Schooner. 

3.  Sunday.  Elizabeth  Watson  for  death  of  her  G.  Son  at 
Windham,  Maine,  by  a  horse.  Sarah  Dodd  &  children,  d.  of  her 
husband  &  for  Brother  at  Sea.  Mary  Dodd  &  children,  d.  of  her 
Son.     Thomas  Palfrey  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

4.  M*"  John  Derby,  whose  barn  was  on  fire  not  long  since,  has 
been  alarmed  by  a  report  from  a  girl  who  says  she  over  heard  a 
white  &  black  man  in  the  fields  talking  about  making  a  second  ex- 
periment as  they  had  failed  in  the  first. 

5.  Review  of  Arms  according  to  Law.  The  Cadets  appeared  in 
the  morning.  In  the  afternoon  the  Artillery,  which  was  employed 
to  fire  at  a  Target,  &  afterwards  the  Militia,  who  received  Col: 
Harthorne  in  the  usual  forms. 

6.  Yesterday  returned  Cap'  James  Veryf  from  an  intended 
Voyage  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  He  was  caught  in  the  currents 
off  the  Brazil  coasts  &  after  attempts  without  success  returned 
home  without  touching  at  any  port  from  the  time  of  his  departure 
on  14  November  last.  As  an  apology  it  is  confessed  that  his  Ves- 
sel was  a  bad  Sailor  &  other  Vessels  have  returned  in  the  same 
predicament.     It  is  a  mortifying  situation. 

7.  Rode  to  Philips'  beach.  Upon  our  return  we  passed  into  the 
Gate  leading  to  Philips'  House  on  the  Head  of  Bartlet's  Beach,  & 
left  our  Carriage  &  crossed  a  Meadow  emptying  into  the  pond,  & 
then  by  the  House  till  we  came  to  the  beach.  Upon  our  return  we 
entered  the  road  above  the  meadow  &  crossed  a  Bridge  laid  near 
the  Wall.  This  in  Summer  must  be  an  agreable  way  of  visiting 
the  Beach  but  the  road  was  now  very  bad,  after  we  entered  the 
Gate.  Came  homewards  by  Marblehead  road,  &  found  Osgood's, 
formerly  Briton's,  well  stored  with  company.  M''  Osgood  has 
lately  taken  possession,  to  keep  an  house  of  entertainment. 

10.     Sunday.     Notes.     Tarrant  Perkins  &  Wife,  d.  of  Brother. 

13.  Another  Petition  with  above  60  Subscribers  to  open  Derby 
Street  from  Becket's  as  far  as  the  Neck.  The  Greatest  exertions 
are  to  be  made  as  the  first  attempt  was  without  success.  The 
want  of  any  communication  excepting  by  the  Shore,  is  a  disgrace  to 
the  Town. 

•Capt.  Joseph  Hosmer's,  on  what  is  now  Pleasant  Street,  afterwards  owned  by  Judge 
Joseph  G.  Waters. 
tFather  of  Jones  Very,  the  poet. 


136  DiAKY  OF  [May 

14.  We  learn  that  the  noted  D'  Whitaker,*  formerly  of  this 
Town,  died  at  Hampton,  in  Virginia,  on  the  21  Day  of  January  last, 
set.  62.  He  had  been  in  the  ministry  at  Norwich  in  Connecticut,  & 
from  thence  he  went  to  England  with  the  well  known  Indian 
Preacher  Occum,  a  disciple  of  Wheelock.  In  1769  D"^  Whitaker 
removed  to  Salem,  Mass.  Here  he  tarried  till  1784  when  he  re- 
moved to  the  District  of  Maine,  &  accepted  a  charge  at  Canaan  up- 
on the  Kennebec  above  the  navigation.  He  was  soon  removed, 
with  some  of  the  most  vile  charges  against  him.  He  lay  some  time 
in  Goal  in  that  District,  &  then  removed  to  Virginia  where  he  died 
of  the  Fever  &  Ague.  As  to  his  Life  it  was  an  uncommon  scene  of 
elevation  &  depression.  He  had  popular  Talents  &  triumphed  in 
the  pulpit  as  a  Champion  of  Orthodoxy.  He  was  zealous  for  the 
Presbyterian  form  of  government,  which  he  could  never  freely  ob- 
tain in  Salem.  There  was  no  vice  which  was  not  laid  to  his  charge, 
consistent  with  a  claim,  from  one  moment's  delay  to  escape  the 
vengeance  of  an  enraged  people. 

15.  M'"  M^^Keenf  assured  me  that  they  had  lost  thirty  sea- 
men in  the  past  year,  &  Manchester  at  home  1/18"^  part  of  its  in- 
habitants. 

16.  From  the  paper  to  be  delivered  to  Capt.  Gideon  Foster  of 
Danvers. 

Line  between  Salem  &  Danvers. 


station. 

Bearings. 

Angles. 

Links.                                          Off. 

1 

N.  25,  10  E 

194 

2 

49,48 

156,  5 

1285 

3 

71,  12 

160,4 

881 

4 

32,23 

221,  55 

523 

6 

35 

216,  36 

221                     set  of  20  links. 

6 

6 

173,5 

3268 

7 

35,30 

152,  30 

6923  (13295) 

8 

191,  25 

441 

9 

63,  20 

138,  15 

2818 

10 

100,  15 

140,  30 

3139 

11 

72,30 

206,  50 

1769 

12 

73,35 

178,  20 

1420 

13  65,  50  187, 54         728 

17.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Archer  &  2  G.  Daughters,  d.  of 
G.  Son  Byrne.  Susannah  Becket,  d.  of  G.  Son,  &  G.  Sons  at  Sea. 
Mary  Bates,  d,  of  G.  Son  Becket,  &  for  g.  Son  at  Sea.  Mary 
Becket,  d.  of  her  Son  &  pr.  for  another  Son  at  Sea.  Elizabeth 
Phillips  &  Daughter,  d.  of  her  only  Son. 

•See  Diary  of  William  Bentley,  D.  D.,  Vol.  I,  p.  35. 
tRov.  James  Mackeen  of  Beverly. 


1795]  "WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  137 

19.  M^  Gerry*  in  this  Town  from  Cambridge.  He  is  upon  a 
tour  through  New  England  for  his  health,  &  his  family  is  with  him. 
They  proceeded  to  Ipswich. 

20.  This  morning  in  a  Sulkey,  in  company  with  Capt.  Sam' 
Chever  &  Wife,  we  left  Salem  for  Andover,  We  made  our  Stage  7 
miles  in  Dan  vers  at  Upton's.  The  former  innholder  at  this  place, 
of  the  same  name,  is  dead,  &  his  widow  married  a  Putnam.  From 
this  House  we  took  the  north  road,  E.  of  the  river,  &  found  it  much 
the  best  tho'  a  few  rods  further.  We  continued  several  miles  be- 
yond Reading  Precinct  Meeting  before  we  reached  M""  Peter  Chev- 
er's  where  we  were  to  dine.  It  is  reckoned  IG  miles  to  Salem. 
Here  we  were  kindly  received.  We  walked  into  his  wood  lot,  which 
is  chiefly  pine,  &  observed  a  spot  in  which  the  tall  trees  flourished 
only  at  top,  not  admitting  the  light  to  reach  the  soil  in  which  they 
grew.  The  prospect  here  is  extensive  on  the  so  th  west,  from 
which  we  see  the  high  land  of  Stoneham.  We  travelled  two  miles 
&  reached  the  Academy.  Here  we  found  all  flourishing.  Nothing 
disgraced  the  splendid  forms  of  the  New  buildings,  but  the  relicks 
of  the  old  school  house,  &  belfry,  in  which  this  academy  spent  its 
infancy  under  M^  Pearson.  Since  my  last  visit  the  new  Meeting 
House  has  received  a  Cupola  upon  the  Tower.  Our  directions  were, 
in  order  to  proceed  to  M"^  Beckford's,  who  lived  on  the  extreme  part 
of  the  Town  towards  Merrimack  River,  to  pass  the  Bridge  over  the 
Shawshine  below  the  South  meeting,  take  the  right  hand,  keep  on 
till  we  passed  a  Tavern  near  which  iVP  Browne  of  Salem  lived,  then 
to  turn  short  to  the  right  out  of  this  road  leading  to  Tewkesbury, 
then  to  the  left,  then  to  keep  the  right  hand.  We  found  on  this 
road  one  long  hill,  but  not  of  great  height  in  our  rout.  Near  this 
place  is  Haggett's  Pond  of  one  mile  in  length.  A  Brook  after  run- 
ning 3  miles  empties  into  the  Merrimack.  From  M''  Beckford's  we 
travelled  1/2  a  mile  to  the  River,  not  1/4  of  a  mile  wide,  &  passed 
over  a  ferry  called  Richardson's  Ferry  into  the  upper  part  of 
Methuen.  We  travelled  about  1/4  of  a  mile  then  entered  Dracut. 
We  passed  a  Brook  as  we  went  to  the  boundary  Meadow  just  as  we 
passed  a  Brook  in  Andover  emptying  into  the  Merrimack.  The 
first  Farm  in  Dracut  upon  the  river  belonged  to  a  M'  Parker,  who 
has  been  upon  it  above  40  years.  He  has  a  fine  Orchard,  &  the 
people  account  for  the  apple  trees  scattered  in  their  fields  from  the 
dung  of  their  Cattle.  At  this  Farm  I  purchased  a  check  handker- 
chief red  &  white  from  the  Loom  of  a  daughter  in  Law  who  was  at 
work.  At  Richardson's  we  saw  a  dumb  child.  Such  sights  are 
very  rare.  At  M"^  Beckford's  we  lodged,  &  we  were  entertained 
with  great  neatness.  The  house  was  of  one  Story,  the  farm  of  50 
acres.  The  man  a  native  of  Salem  had  experienced  the  changes  of 
life.     All  was  Content  &  harmony. 

21.     In  the  morning  I  left  the  company  &  went  for  the  Petucket 

•Elbrldge  Gerry,  afterwards  Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 


138  DIARY  OF  [May 

Falls.  From  this  house  my  direction  was  to  inquire  for  Brown's 
ferry.  This  Ferry  is  from  the  Eastern  part  of  the  mouth  of  Con- 
cord Kiver  as  it  empties  into  the  Connecticut.  M""  Brown  owns  a 
large  house,  once  in  better  repair.  The  situation  is  .elevated.  We 
have  a  fine  view  of  both  rivers.  And  before  us  lay  Hunt's  falls, 
over  which  the  water  broke.  The  river  was  6  feet  lower  than  it 
had  been  in  this  season,  &  will  be  4  feet  lower  soon.  This  Hunt 
formerly  lived  near  the  lower  saw  mill  on  the  Concord,  &  had  the 
first  house  ever  build ed  in  Tewkesbury,  to  which  Town  this  side  fo 
the  Eiver  belongs.  We  found  the  best  part  of  Tewkesbury  on  this 
quarter,  &  at  Fall's  mills  found  a  pond  which  gave  amj)le  water. 
We  had  on  our  left  the  road  leading  into  Tewkesbury  by  D"^  B. 
Kitteridge's,  and  beyond  the  mills  the  best  road  leading  to 
Brown's  as  he  informed  us,  A  young  man  on  horse  back,  volun- 
tarily became  my  guide  in  this  disagreable  road.  After  passing 
the  mills  going  to  Brown's  Ave  have  a  fine  view  of  the  river  &  ride 
upon  the  Bank.  Besides  the  Mills  &  rivers  we  have  in  full  view 
S.  20  E.  a  hill  called  Fort  Hill,  in  Tewkesbury,  about  one  mile  from 
Brown's,  on  the  Top  of  which  are  the  stones  of  the  old  Garrison 
Fort  used  here  in  the  early  settlements,  &  in  which  his  ancestors 
had  watched  during  the  Harvest.  The  Falls  below  Bodwell's 
Bridge  were  antiently  called  Pantucket  falls.  They  are  ten  miles 
below  Petucket  falls.  About  a  mile  below  Browne's  observed  an 
island  in  the  river  but  could  not  obtain  any  name  for  it.  Descen- 
ding Brown's  Hill,  &  passing  a  Saw  mill,  passed  two  Bridges  which 
unite  upon  an  Island  near  the  mouth  of  the  Concord,  the  western 
most  is  widest,  &  continue  up  a  few  rods,  &  reach  the  canal,  which 
has  a  S.  W.  course,  1/4  of  a  mile  from  the  first  Lock  to  the  second. 
The  first  is  formed  to  spring  open  but  is  to  be  changed.  Fort  Hill 
in  full  view  here.  This  is  in  Phipjj's  Farm,  then  Borland's,  &  now 
it  is  the  seat  of  M''  Woodward  of  Boston.  At  the  second  Lock  a 
water  wheel  hoists  by  a  lever,  the  draw,  one  notch  or  4  inches,  by  a 
turn  of  the  Crank.  They  were  making  the  frame  of  a  third  Lock 
above,  about  1/2  mile  from  the  River.  Here  we  found  the  first 
men  at  work  as  Carpenters  &  till  we  pass  further  the  Canal  has  the 
advantage  of  a  bran  ch  of  the  Concord.  At  the  first  rocky  bottom 
we  found  men  clearing  the  bottom  by  throwing  out  the  Stones. 
Then  the  Canal  sweeps  round  in  a  northerly  course,  &  the  rock  is 
more  slaty  than  before  but  no  where  in  great  masses.  Rocks  near 
the  Bridge  crossing  to  Billerica.  When  we  came  to  the  place  where 
the  Canal  is  deepest,  there  was  to  be  observed  a  Ground  Bed  of 
Black  mould  from  2  to  3  feet,  then  a  bed  of  sand  &  Rocks  of  dif- 
ferent sizes  lodged  in  the  sand,  &  more  rocks  as  the  Canal  was 
deeper.  Further  was  a  whitish  sand.  A  Bridge  was  over  the 
Canal  towards  the  Merrimack.  The  Petticket  Bridge  over  the  Mer- 
rimack passes  about  S.  E.  &  has  its  center  upon  a  Bold  Rock.  It 
is  not  1/4  of  a  mile  over.     This  Bridge  runs  from  Chelmsford  Neck 


1795]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,    D.    D.  139 

SO  called  into  Dracut.  It  is  about  a  mile  above  the  mouth  of  Con- 
cord river  &  the  Canal  about  1  1/2  mile  in  length.  Upon  passing 
the  Bridge,  observed  the  Frame  of  a  large  Building  lately  shingled 
&  boarded,  &  upon  enquiry  found  it  to  be  intended  for  a  meeting 
House,  which  is  to  opened  for  public  worship  on  the  lirst  Sunday 
in  June.  M""  Varnum  has  a  neat  house  on  the  west  side  of  the 
meeting  House,  now  improved  as  a  Public  House.  This  INIeeting 
House  is  in  Dracut  &  they  reckon  downwards  on  their  side  of  the 
river  seven  miles  to  Kichardson's,  whom  I  visited  yesterday  &  the 
Town  of  Dracut  extends  above  a  mile  upwards,  nearly  9  miles  of 
the  River.  The  cause  of  building  this  House  is  because  of  the  sit- 
uations chosen  for  the  two  new  jSIeeting  Houses  in  Chelmsford  & 
Dracut,  which  are  said  not  to  accomodate  their  inhabitants.  They 
expect  some  families  from  Tyngsborough  to  join  them.  They  are 
called  Congregationalists,  &  some  of  them  of  the  most  liberal  cast. 
M""  Pipon,  the  Butler  at  Cambridge,  is  to  preach  the  first  Sermon  in 
the  House.  Upon  my  return  I  followed  the  road  toward  the  Bridge 
over  the  Mouth  of  the  Concord,  but  was  soon  stopped  by  a  fence. 
A  new  road  having  been  laid  out  beyond  the  houses  southward  of 
the  old  road  &  further  from  the  river.  It  has  as  yet  been  little 
used.  In  order  to  find  Middlesex  Canal  which  communicates  with 
the  Concord  about  four  miles  from  its  Mouth,  I  crossed  the  Pe- 
tucket  Canal  near  the  Concord,  &  kept  nearly  a  South  Course. 
Here  also  were  new  roads,  &  not  the  better  from  that  circumstance. 
Soon  after  I  left  this  Canal,  which  is  at  its  beginning,  keeping  a  di- 
rect course  I  came  to  Billerica  Causeway,  which  is  1/2  long  & 
opens  before  you  very  agreably.  This  work  is  now  in  hand  & 
was  executed  in  consequence  of  a  petition  to  the  County  for 
another  Bridge  over  the  Concord.  As  soon  as  you  leave  the  Cause- 
way, which  is  well  done,  so  far  as  it  has  been  built,  you  reach  Bil- 
lerica Bridge  which  is  narrow,  &  being  new,  at  present  looks  neat. 
It  stands  upon  a  few  piers  in  the  bed  of  the  river  which  support  a 
frame  without  Braces.  Stopped  at  Pollard's  Tavern.  Saw  M' 
Pemberton  formerly  preceptor  at  Andover,  who  is  now  about  to 
open  a  private  school  in  the  Town  of  Billerica.  Passed  through 
Tewkesbury  and  having  an  oppertunity  to  compare  its  present 
state  with  its  condition  in  the  war,  must  confess  a  great  cultiva- 
tion. Passed  to  Butt's  mills  now  in  possession  of  M''  Boardman. 
Came  to  Wilmington  &  lodged  at  Jones'  Tavern.  Here  I  was  in- 
formed of  the  State  of  the  Town.  They  have  lost  a  M""  Morrill,  a 
distinguished  minister,  &  are  preparing  for  a  resettlement.  They 
have  had  only  two  ministers.  jNF  Varney  died  insane,  &  was  not 
long  with  them.  They  are  much  divided  because  the  minister  is 
what  is  called  an  Hopkinsian.  It  is  the  unsocial  character  of  the 
professors  of  this  sect  which  makes  them  odious.  In  other 
words,  they  are  a  new  sect,  &  not  so  old  as  their  neighbours. 
I  spent  an  hour  with  ray  old  friend  Captain  Ford  of  Wilmington. 


140  DIARY   OF  [-^Jiiy 

He  is  among  the  disaffected  in  this  matter  of  settling  IVP.  Reynolds. 
Upon  my  return  I  took  the  north  road  through  Reading  going  South 
of  the  meeting  House  in  the  Precinct,  &  leaving  Andover  Road, 
where  I  entered  going  up  on  my  left.  Stopped  at  Upton's.  Found 
M""  Crane  on  N.  Ropes'  Farm  &  entered  Salem  at  twelve  o'clock. 

23.  Two  arrivals  this  day.  S.  Townsend  from  Bermuda  where 
he  has  been  detained  &  from  which  place  he  was  dismissed  after 
paying  costs,  and  Capt.  Edwards,  who  has  been  absent  19  months 
upon  a  voyage  to  the  Isle  of  France,  &  been  under  several  deten- 
tions in  different  ports. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  Andrew  Preston  &  Wife,  d.  of  g.  child 
Le  Favre,  &  friends  abroad. 

25.  The  Ton*  now  for  Academy  education.  Several  out  of  my 
Society,  children  at  Andover.  A  neighbouring  Clergyman  has 
published  a  Sermon  to  which  he  has  no  just  claim,  &  has  added  to 
his  folly  a  declaration  at  the  beginning  that  he  hoped  an  apology, 
as  he  did  not  offer  such  to  the  world  as  correct  writing  but  as  "  nat- 
ural effusions."     Alas,  Isaac  Story. 

27.  Being  election  day,  but  being  detained  about  the  plan,  at  10 
I  walked  5  miles  to  Philips'  Beach  &  dined  there  &  returned  in  the 
afternoon.  At  Reading's,  Alias  Breton's,  now  Osgood's,  about  the 
cross  roads  beyond  Fitch's  going  to  Marblehead,  there  was  a  great 
concourse  of  people,  &  the  greatest  resemblance  of  Commencement 
in  riding  up  &  down.  The  town  seemed  to  be  evacuated  &  the 
greatest  silence  reigned  till  the  evening.  The  whole  ended  without 
any  disturbance. 

28.  Last  Monday  attempts  were  repeated  to  carry  the  point  of 
opening  Derby  Street  from  Becket's  Street  to  the  Neck.  There  was 
no  doubt  of  the  convenience,  the  only  question  was  of  the  expence, 
&  this  extended  only  to  the  old  Ropewalk  which  was  in  a  misera- 
ble state.  It  was  carried  by  a  great  majority  who  attended  for  the 
purpose.  This  measure  may  cost  some  ill  blood  but  will  be  a  pub- 
lic benefit. 

29.  Went  to  Boston  &  in  the  afternoon  was  entertained  at  the 
King's  Chapel  by  the  Address  of  Judge  Minot  to  the  Charitable 
Fire  Society.  The  prayers  by  M""  Freeman  &  the  music  made  up 
the  services  of  the  day.  It  was  rainy  &  so  few  Ladies  were  present. 
The  Contribution  was  150  Dollars. 

30.  Lodged  on  Friday  night  with  M''  Freeman,  breakfasted  with 
M""  Eliot  &  spent  the  morning  with  him  in  the  Historical  Library, 
from  which  I  borrowed  some  books.  I  returned  this  evening  to  Salem. 

31.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jonathan  Millet  &  Wife  &  children  for 
him  very  sick.  Susannah  Jeffrey,  d.  of  Mother  Smith,  pr.  husband 
&  Brother  at  Sea.  Rebeccah  Williams,  d.  of  M.  Smith,  pr.  husband 
&  Brother  at  Sea.  Sarah  Sloacum,  d.  of  yoimgest  child,  pr.  husband 
at  Sea. 

♦Bon  ton. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  141 

June  3.  [1795]  Kode  to  Nahant  where  1  found  Rev''  Kendall 
of  Weston  &  a  Company;  we  dined  at  Woods,  &  in  the  afternoon 
rode  through  the  Farms  to  Kartlet's  Beach  which  to  our  surprise  we 
found  changed  from  a  hard  Beach  fit  for  Chaises,  &  uncommonly 
smooth  to  a  bed  of  stones.  Only  the  west  part  under  the  Hill,  & 
defended  by  the  rocks,  could  admit  a  Carriage.  A  little  Daughter 
of  Capt.  Allen  went  with  me,  Nancy. 

4.  Capt.  Jon"^  ]\[illet  our  neighbour  died  this  morning,  &  soon 
after  a  M"  Appleton*,  both  in  full  view  of  my  windows.  Capt. 
Millet  has  sustained  an  excellent  character  &  brought  up  his  child- 
ren well. 

6.  Saturday  a  small  vessel  arrived,  purchased  at  Bermuda.  The 
Bermudans  adjudicate,  &  our  own  people  go  &  purchase  them.  If 
it  be  legal,  it  is  not  very  honorable.  But  interest  leads  men  every 
where  &  in  every  manner. 

7.  Sunday.  Sarah  Millet  &  Children,  d.  of  Husband,  pr.  for 
Children  at  Sea.     Margaret  Nourse  for  her  husband  app.  near  death. 

9.  The  taking  down  the  large  housef  of  Col.  Brown  by  M""  Derby 
is  a  strange  event  in  this  Town,  it  being  the  first  sacrifice  of  a 
decent  building  ever  made  in  the  Town  to  Convenience,  or  pleasure, 
unless  the  School  House  which  stood  where  the  Court  House  now 
is,  may  have  been  such  a  Sacrifice. 

10.  Friend  Hussey,  who  began  the  present  flourishing  state  of 
Lynn  by  his  successful  business,  was  buried  this  week.  He  has 
been  of  great  importance  to  that  place  whose  condition  before  he 
settled  on  the  plain  could  bear  no  comparison  with  its  present 
thriving  situation.  Several  accidents  have  happened.  One  man. 
Pope,  belong^  to  Danvers,  killed  by  his  Team.  Another,  by  an 
horse.  One  woman  in  Town  found  dead  in  bed.  She  was  intem- 
perate. 

11.  Last  evening  died  a  daughter]:  of  Capt.  R.  Stone.  About  a 
year  since  it  was  discovered  that  she  was  growing  deformed.  The 
deformity  increased  till  she  died  last  evening.  She  had  been  in 
great  pain  but  had  the  free  use  of  her  senses  till  the  last  instant  of 
Life.  News  that  one  Brookhouse  belonging  to  Salem,  sailing  from 
Boston,  foundered  at  Sea. 

12.  Rev''  ISf'^Keen  with  me  to  day.  His  Meeting  House  is  to 
be  enlarged,  from  the  increase  of  the  inhabitants.  Beverly  is  more 
in  the  Fishery  than  at  any  other  period,  &  its  fishermen  very  indus- 
trious. 

13.  News  that  Capt.  R.  Ives§  is  sick  at  Lisbon.  He  is  a  descen- 
dant from  the  Hales  at  Beverly,  a  distinguished  family  in  this 
neighbourhood. 

14.  Sunday.     Notes.     Rebeccah  Millet,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husb. 

*Anna,  wife  of  William  Appleton. 
tThe  site  of  the  present  Derby  square. 
tRIixa,  a^ed  9  years. 
§Died  at  Lisbon,  June  4, 1795. 


142  DIARY  OF  [June 

&  Br.  at  Sea.  Capt.  Stone  gave  an  example  of  an  open  contempt 
of  the  religious  devotions  so  usual  after  any  family  distresses.* 
The  family  &  friends  were  absent. 

16.  The  New  Tombs  were  closed  this  day.  As  Gen.  Fiske'a 
Family  had  been  known  to  me,  I  visited  the  Grave  Yard,t  while 
the  family  was  removed.  English  told  me  that  he  buried  Rev^  S, 
Fiske  in  the  corner  of  the  Ground,  at  the  projecting  angle  of  Peele's 
fence,  near  the  place  in  which  M''  Norris  lay.  But  as  the  fence  had 
been  moved  &  the  bones  we  found  were  westward  of  the  spot,  we 
returned  them.  In  removing  the  other  Bodies  the  sextons  were 
directed  by  the  Grave  Stones.  The  first  M"  Fiske  was  found  in 
the  earth  as  the  Coffin  had  broken,  &  the  bones  were  gathered  from 
the  earth.  Buried  in  1782.  The  second  M"  Fiske  was  found,  the 
Coffin  was  broken  but  not  so  as  to  admit  the  earth.  The  Grave 
Cloathes  were  yet  to  be  seen  &  the  folds  in  the  Shroud  plainly,  but 
as  tho'  they  had  been  applied  wet  to  the  body.  The  Substance  of 
the  flesh  was  like  a  liquid  in  which  the  Bones  were  laid  &  from, 
which  they  could  not  free  themselves  when  the  Coffin  was  turned  over,, 
without  striking  with  a  spade  on  the  bottom  and  then  the  small 
bones  did  not  disengage  themselves.  Upon  examing  it,  it  was 
found  in  the  Sun  to  be  alive  with  a  motion  from  the  worms  which 
covered  the  whole  surface  but  which  were  clearly  distinguished 
near  the  part  on  which  the  body  rested.  This  Substance  spread 
over  the  whole  surface  whether  occupied  by  the  body  or  not. 
Buried  in  Nov.  1785,  eet.  32. 

Lydia,  eldest  daughter  of  Gen.  Fiske.  Buried  in  Sept.  1785, 
set.  17.  She  was  found  with  the  greater  part  of  the  grave  cloathes 
easily  seperable  from  the  bones,  but  no  flesh  remained.  Her  hair 
was  as  entire  &  in  as  apparently  good  order  as  when  she  was  buried.. 
The  Bows  of  Silk  ribbon  were  entire  &  the  parts  not  in  immediate 
contact  with  the  body  were  as  sound  as  ever.  They  looked  fresh 
when  first  exposed  to  the  air  but  afterwards  changed  to  a  snuff 
colour.  I  brought  away  one  of  the  silk  ribbons  &  have  preserved 
a  part  of  it. 

Margaret,  20  Oct.  1792,  aet.  17.  The  Coffin  was  sound  &  the 
Plate  as  legible  as  when  first  put  into  the  ground.  The  body 
remained  entire,  &  the  grave  cloathes,  only  the  dark  appearance  in 
the  last  stage  of  putrefaction.  M"  Putnam,  Sarah,  about  22  set., 
buried  last  year  had  begun  to  mould.  The  little  child  buried  in 
1783  was  found  in  the  earth  &  only  a  few  bones  remained.  M" 
Putnam's  child  buried  not  long  since,  coffin  was  not  opened. 

17.  I  left  Salem  this  morning  to  attend  Wilmington  Ordination, 
siipposing  this  to  be  the  day  of  ordination.  But  the  people  expect- 
ing opposition  had  convened  the  Council  this  day,  intending  to  dis- 
cuss all  matters  &  to  have  the  next  day  free  for  ordination.     The 

*A  private  burial? 

tCharter  Street  Burying  Ground. 


TOMBSTONES   IN  THE  CHARTER   STREET   BURYING   GROUND. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.   D.  143 

Council  was  of  13  Churches,  12  of  which  attended,  &  opened  at  12 
o'clock.  The  Andover  Association  formed  the  greater  part.  The 
Candidate  was  M""  Free  Grace  Reynolds,  A.  jM.,  Yale  ('ollege.  After 
dinner  the  Council  for  convenience  removed  to  the  Meeting  House 
&  opened  their  deliberations.  The  Charge  stated  was  that  the 
acceptance  of  the  Candidate  was  inconsistent  with  his  former  nega- 
tive answer.  That  as  appeared  by  Capt.  Ford's  protest,  the  measures 
had  been  illegal.  That,  the  Candidate  had  advanced  as  they  sup- 
posed false  doctrine.  They  supported  their  charge  in  tlie  the  fol- 
lowing manner.  Col.  Blanchard  said,  that  the  Candidate  negatived 
the  first  call  upon  account  of  the  opposition,  which  still  continued 
to  increase  &  had  not  lost  one  member,  &  that  a  fair  statement  had 
been  made  to  him.  That  Ford's  protest  established  four  points  of 
illegal  &  unfair  proceeding.  The  iVIajority  had  admitted  minors  to 
vote.  That  Fathers  had  qualified  their  Sons  before  an  actual  divi- 
sion  of  their  estates,  when  the  Law  did  not  allow  a  Landholder  & 
his  Tenant  to  vote  at  the  same  time.  That  they  had  qualified 
Widows  to  vote  by  a  vote  of  the  Town  when  they  were  disqualified 
by  an  act  of  the  Commonwealth,  &  had  actually  received  such  votes. 
That  the  Town  had  voted  90£  salary  annually  &  150£  settlement, 
&  the  majority  had  agreed  to  make  up  upon  settlement  50£  more 
by  subscription,  &  that  the  Candidate  was  content.  But  that  the 
majority  at  their  last  meeting,  iu  the  absence  of  the  minority,  had 
shifted  the  sum  subscribed  upon  the  Town  so  as  to  bring  this 
charge  upon  the  minority  as  part  of  the  Town.  In  point  of  doctrine 
they  objected,  that  the  Candidate  had  declared  that  God  was  as 
much  the  author  of  evil  as  good,  that  God  did  elect  &  reprobate 
without  regard  to  future  actions,  that  some  were  born  to  be  damned, 
that  God  needed  the  help  of  Sin,  that  all  infants  were  not  in  a 
salvable  condition,  &  the  Gospel  not  offered  alike  to  all.  Col.  B. 
appears  to  advantage  in  the  affair. 

We  had  not  the  same  advantage  of  stating  the  other  side  because 
there  was  but  one  intelligible  speaker,  M""  Jaquith,  &  he  had  no 
method  &  could  reply  only  to  the  questions  on  Town  affairs.  On 
the  charge  of  inconsistence  &  on  the  doctrines  we  could  get  nothing 
but  from  the  Candidate,  and  under  the  disadvantage  of  questions, 
differently  proposed  by  different  men.  It  appeared  from  the  Con- 
fession of  the  Candidate  that  he  had  been  governed  by  such  repre- 
sentations as  had  been  made  to  him  &  that  there  were  at  times  more 
favourable  appearances,  &  that  no  charge  laid  against  him,  but  that 
there  was  room  for  the  enquiries  of  the  Council  whether  it  was 
upon  the  whole  best  to  settle.  In  Town  affairs  the  articles  of  Ford's 
protest  were  found  not  to  be  groundless  but  there  was  more  zeal 
than  intentional  wrong  in  the  people.  In  point  of  Doctrine,  the 
Candidate  vindicated  himself  from  all  the  practical  consequences 
charged  upon  his  Theory,  &  discovered  good  abilities  in  stating  the 
articles  of  his  belief.     He  was  in  the  situation  of  men  of  Theories, 


144  DIARY  OP  [June 

who  cannot  impart  the  same  views  they  entertain  to  their  hearers, 
&  who  therefore  seem  to  depart  from  their  Theories  in  their  con- 
clusions. We  might  reprehend  the  too  free  nse  of  disputes  which 
could  not  be  comprehended  in  a  common  assembly  rather  than  any 
thing  new  in  the  doctrine.     The  Council  adjourned. 

18.  The  people  began  to  collect  early  so  that  all  quiet  in 
debates  in  so  public  a  place  was  at  an  end.  The  council  were  soon 
obliged  to  retire  from  the  Meeting  House  &  so  the  public  hearing 
ended.  M""  Symmes  moderated  with  great  candour.  M''  Cummings 
proposed  the  questions  proper  on  the  occasion  with  great  coolness 
&  nothing  was  touched  upon  which  the  Candidate  had  not  entered 
upon  freely  in  the  pulpit  &  thereby  rendered  proper  for  discussion, 
M''  Stone  assisted  in  the  enquiries  with  great  candour.  M""  Backus, 
with  a  clearness  which  did  him  honour,  assisted  the  Candidate  in 
favourable  views  of  his  opinions  &  M""  French  gave  an  oppertunity 
to  view  the  questions  apart  from  all  the  practical  consequences, 
which  are  too  often  charged  upon  them.  The  Council  after  consider- 
ing the  State  of  parties,  did  not  consider  it  prudent  at  this  time  to 
proceed  to  ordination.  A  Subscription  Paper  of  the  Aggrieved 
appeared  with  23  names,  &  prejudices  were  strong.  The  divisicm 
of  the  members  of  the  Council  was  23  ag.  17,  the  churches  equally 
divided.  I  left  the  Town  ^^pon  the  result  &  reached  Danvers  & 
lodged  at  the  Widow  Upton's,  now  M''  Upton's,  7  miles  from  Salem. 

19.  Returned  to  Salem.  Found  my  friend  Gen.  F.  much  deranged 
by  the  ill  success  of  his  business  &  all  his  friends  exceedingly 
anxious  upon  his  account. 

20.  Went  for  Boston,  reached  at  noon,  spent  the  day  in  domes- 
tic engagements  &  family  visits.  Found  all  well.  In  the  evening 
a  mob  undertook  to  distroy  a  Berraudan  Privateer.  They  shared 
the  pineapples,  &  threw  over  into  the  Sea  the  hides,  &  burnt  the 
vessel.     She  was  not  entirely  consumed  on  Sunday  morning. 

22.  Reached  Salem  at  six  by  the  Portsmouth  stage.  Walked 
down  to  my  friend  Fiske's,  found  him  greatly  deranged  &  depressed. 
Had  several  conversations  upon  the  subject.  From  the  greatest 
flow  of  Spirits  the  most  abject  depression  has  ensued.  I  am  greatly 
alarmed  for  consequences. 

25.  The  different  opinions  respecting  the  mob  of  Saturday  in 
Boston  have  thrown  the  Town  into  Convulsions.  They  have 
threatened  to  distroy  the  House  of  a  Factor  who  did  business  for 
Nova  Scotia.  The  Govern  our's  Proclamation,  the  500  D.  offered  by 
Government,  have  increased  this  effect. 

26.  M^'"  Philips  with  us  at  M"  Dunlaps  at  Tea.  She  is  an 
agreable  woman.  We  had  the  pleasure  of  anticipating  a  Nahant 
Ride.  The  Town's  Committee  are  in  search  of  Land  for  a  new 
Burying  Ground.  I  have  interested  myself  in  the  search  for  such  a 
place  &  given  the  Printer  a  hint  to  recommend  Windmill  Point.* 

•Foot  of  Northey  Street. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  145 

27.  The  Merchants  of  Boston  have  remonstrated  ag.  tlie  mad 
proceedings  of  Boston,  &  the  riots  which  have  been  lately  commit- 
ted. One  person  who  went  out  to  see  what  was  going  on  upon  a 
late  occasion,  or  second  meeting,  lost  his  watch,  &  has  advertised 
for  the  Robber,  alias,  mobber. 

28.  Sunday.  Went  to  Lynn.  Found  the  increase  of  this  Town 
to  be  such  that  the  whole  deduction  of  the  Methodistic  society  did 
not  sensibly  diminish  their  numbers,  compared  with  those  whom  I 
found  in  some  past  years.  At  my  House,  Xote,  for  wife  of  Capt. 
Joseph  Lambert  very  sick. 

30.  Rode  to  Phillips'  Beach  and  in  my  way  travelled  round  Coy 
Pond.  The  Shore  of  the  Pond  is  clear  in  no  part  but  upon  the 
eastern  side  «fe  for  a  small  distance.  It  is  situated  in  one  of  the 
dungeons,  or  hollows,  so  called,  &  is  about  half  way  at  its  center 
from  Legg's  Hill  to  Gen.  Glover's  or  Salem  Boundary  from  the  Sea 
at  the  angle  with  Marblehead.  At  the  Beach  they  were  mending 
the  road  &  blowing  the  rocks  from  which  care  much  improvement 
is  observed  already. 

July  1.  [1795]  D""  Paine  of  Worcester  informed  me  that  to 
bring  the  use  of  Rye  Flour  to  the  palate  &  the  eyes  of  those  who 
were  accustomed  to  Wheat,  4  quarts  of  white  Beans  were  ground 
with  every  bushel  or  mixed  with  success. 

4.  This  day  the  Corner  Stone  of  the  New  Court  House*  is  to  be 
laid  in  Boston  in  MASONIC  ORDER,  &  on  this  day  was  the 
declaration  of  Independance.  Commemoration  everywhere.  An 
oration  to  be  delivered  at  Boston,  Portsmouth,  &  Portland,  with, 
great  preparations  at  all  those  places.  We  have  our  evils.  The 
Bermudans  take  us  in  our  own  Bay,  &  carry  our  Vessels  for  adjudi- 
cation. We  have  news  also  that  the  Algerines  are  out  again  upon 
us  in  the  Atlantic,  &  all  help  from  Portugal,  but  in  their  Trade,  is 
now  to  be  dispaii-ed  of. 

5.  Sunday.  A  Wedding  Sermon.  There  has  been  printed  & 
circulated  a  Book  entitled  Common  Sense,  against  Supernatural, 
which  contains  professed  Atheism.  It  was  printed  covertly  at  first 
in  Boston  ;  then  a  license  was  taken  in  the  name  of  a  young  man  ; 
it  was  then  advertised  &  no  place  assigned ;  it  was  then  plead  in 
the  Gazettes,  why  such  a  fear  should  exist ;  &  some  intimations 
that  the  Clergy  would  not  hate  the  investigation  of  Truth,  &  stop 
the  sale.  The  Book  I  have  seen  in  common  hands.  But  tho'  it  is 
a  bold  performance,  it  will  not  have  the  currency,  &  perhaps  not 
the  effect  of  the  age  of  reason,  because  it  had  not  Paine's  name  to 
it,  nor  his  manner,  which  is  uncommonly  popular.  Let  posterity 
judge  of  the  Taste  of  infidels  in  the  present  generation. 

6.  M'  W.  Gray  has  subscribed  20  dollars,  &  M^  Derby  10,  & 
other  Gentlemen  to  the  amount  of  70  dollars  already  to  inclose  the 
Land  of  the  Widow  Whitford  upon  the  new    Street,    continuing 

*Ttae  present  State  House. 


146  DIARY  OF  [July 

Derby  Street,  &  to  assist   repairs    upon    her   House.     Capt.    John 
Becket  aided  the  subscription. 

9.  This  day  a  visitation  of  the  Schools.  Xotice  was  given  by  a 
Card  from  the  Committee  on  the  day  preceeding.  &  appointments 
to  meet  them  at  the  Office  of  Insurance*  near  the  Centre  of  the 
Town.  They  started  at  8  o'clock  &  I  had  no  sight  of  the  upper 
writing  School.  The  Grammar  School  exhibition  was  opened  by  an 
Oration  by  Master  Gray,  &  closed  by  an  oration  from  Master  Pick- 
ering, both  in  English.  The  youth  recited  in  Virgil,  Tully,  Justin, 
&  Erasmus,  &  the  Greek  Testament.  In  the  Middle  School  they 
spelt  well.  There  was  Isaac,  the  black  boy  again.  In  the  East 
School  there  was  little  Ceremony,  to  say  the  least,  about  the  Visit. 
D""  Waldo  gave  the  clergy  invitations  to  dinner,  which  some  ac 
cepted. 

10.  Capt.  Webb  arrived  last  night  from  the  E.  Indies  via  Phila- 
delphia. This  gives  little  relief  to  Gen.  Fiske,  as  his  derangement 
continues.  Many  persons  in  all  our  Seaports  are  displeased  with 
the  Treaty,  as  it  increases  no  privileges  we  now  hold,  &  takes  away 
other  privileges. 

11.  An  attempt  to  launch  a  vessel  at  Becket's  of  180  Tons.  But 
from  some  cause  all  our  efforts  were  ineffectual  &  we  left  her  upon 
the  Stocks.  The  public  resentment  is  so  great  agaiust  the  Treaty, 
that  it  is  believed  that  Jay  has  been  hung  &  burnt  in  Effigie  both 
in  New  York  &  Philadelphia.  The  public  indignation  is  roused,  & 
the  papers  begin  to  talk  of  lost  liberties.  In  Boston,  such  persons 
as  assembled  on  the  subject  of  the  Treaty,  voted  their  dislike  in  the 
most  pointed  terms,  &  their  contempt  of  the  whole.  The  Secrecy 
under  which  this  business  has  been  covered  has  served  to  exasper- 
ate the  public  mind,  upon  the  discovery. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Cornelius  Bartlet  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  only 
child,  &  pr.  for  friend  at  Sea.  Benj*  Brown  &  Wife,  her  delivery, 
Brethren  at  Sea. 

13.  News  of  the  burning  in  Effigie  of  Mr.  Jay  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Philadelphia.  The  bells  tolled  on  the  4  of  July  instead  of 
ringing,  &  a  mournful  silence  prevailed  through  the  City.  In  this 
Town  the  men  who  hold  securities  under  the  government  are  suffi- 
ciently influential  against  the  disquiets  &  angry  expressions  of 
more  dependent  people. 

14.  Preparing  for  Commencement  &  a  Journey  into  the  Country. 
Left  Salem  8  a.  m.  on  the  15**^,  being  Commencement  Day,  in 
consequence  of  an  engagement  to  visit  my  Brother  Dawes,  at 
Harvard,  &  to  preach  for  M""  Emerson.  Reached  Cambridge  at 
Noon,  &  dined  with  Judge  Winthrop.  Pound  the  Judge  in  com- 
pany with  a  few  friends,  &  spent  a  few  hours  in  conversation.     At 

•The  Insurance  Oflaces  then  served  the  purpose  of  the  modern  club.  The  men  of  the 
town  there  repaired  to  exchange  intelligence,  to  smoke  and  to  discuss  the  shi  p  news  and 
politics. 


1796]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  147 

4  o'clock  left  Caiubriilge  on  a  Jouiney  to  Concord.  "J'he  Distance 
from  Concord  to  Charles  liiver  at  Charlestown  Bridge  18  miles. 
Rode  through  Menotomy,  Found  the  appearance  of  the  Houses 
much  beyond  the  former  state,  besides  several  new  Houses  since  my 
last  Journey.  Below  the  Rocks  there  is  erected  a  New  Baptist 
^Meeting  House,  which  was  very  decent,  but  seems  now  to  be  going 
out  of  repair.  The  House  is  a  new  building,  but  the  division  it 
was  intended  to  support  began  upon  the  first  visits  of  ]\[r.  White- 
field  in  this  country,  as  was  said  by  M""  Cooke  the  former  minister 
in  this  Parish.  Their  more  happy  state  under  M""  Fiske  has  ren- 
dered the  disaffected  unable  to  maintain  their  Minister,  one  Green. 
For  a  short  time  some  new  division  in  the  old  Parish  of  Woburn 
gave  them  some  assistance,  but  the  Woburn  diflRculties  becoming 
more  serious,  they  erected  a  Baptist  Meeting  House  more  central, 

at  which  one officiated,  &  Green  removed  to  the  New  Mills,  a 

part  of  Danvers  neck  which  lay  at  the  head  of  Porter's  river,  & 
communicates  with  North  river  above  Essex  Bridge.  Passing  on,  I 
found  at  Lexington  an  excellent  new  Meeting  House  had  taken  the 
place  of  the  Old  one,  &  upon  nearly  the  same  spot.  The  former 
House  had  two  galleries,  without  a  steeple  &  was  painted  yellow. 
The  present  House  is  ornamented  with  a  Steeple,  &  is  painted 
green.  The  Belfrj'  is  high,  &  the  Dome  has  a  curve  inwards  so  as 
to  meet  the  bottom  of  the  spire.  The  Spindle  is  furnished  with 
Letters  to  mark  the  Cardinal  Points  under  the  Vane.  The  House 
is  handsomely  underpinned  &  furnished  with  stone  steps,  &  railed 
in.  It  is  also  well  furnished  within.  The  Pulpit  is  in  the  usual 
form,  excepting  that  it  has  two  flights  of  steps  &  has  a  round  pen- 
dant Canopy.  The  furniture  of  the  Pulpit  is  damask  silk.  The 
Seat  for  the  Elders  &  Deacons  is  between  the  stairs  of  the  Pulpit. 
There  is  an  open  space  before  the  pulpit,  &  a  very  handsome  swell 
in  the  front  gallery.  The  pews  are  square  in  the  old  inconvenient 
form,  &  long  seats  are  left  free  in  the  body  of  the  House.  The 
Sashes  &  Corners  of  the  House  are  painted  white,  &  the  House 
within  is  of  a  light  stone  colour.  No  expences  have  been  spared  to 
complete  all  the  work,  &  nothing  is  neglected. 

Rode  onwards  towards  Concord.  No  great  changes  appear  on 
the  road  till  we  reach  the  middle  of  the  Town.  The  first  object 
which  attracts  the  notice  of  a  person  who  has  seen  Concord  before, 
is  the  large  building  in  which  are  the  Stores  occupied  by  White, 
beyond  the  Meeting  House.  The  Goal  is  now  finished  &  was  de- 
scribed at  a  former  visit.  The  Fences  round  it  look  neglected. 
Opposite  to  the  Old  Court  House  which  still  stands,  tho'  in  a  ruin- 
ous state,  is  the  new  County  Court  House,  but  \infinished.  The 
Court  room  was  used  last  April.  The  lower  part  of  the  House 
designed  for  Offices  is  yet  in  a  rough  state.  The  Meeting  House  ia 
so  well  repaired  that  it  assumes  the  form  of  an  entirely  new  build- 
ing.    It  had  formerly  two  galleries  &  resembled  the  Meeting  House 


148  DIARY  OF  [July 

at  Lexington.  But  it  has  now  been  lengthened  12  feet,  &  has  a 
steeple  much  resembling  that  of  Lexington  who  have  piqued  their 
pride  by  the  late  exertions  in  that  place.  The  Steeple  is  painted 
white.  The  Pulpit  remains  in  the  old  form  excepting  a  pendant 
Canopy,  but  they  excell  their  neighbours  in  making  all  the  body 
pews  long,  that  the  hearers  may  sit  with  their  faces  towards  the 
Speaker.  There  is  a  swell  in  the  front  gallery  &  a  clock  upon  it. 
The  paintings  within  are  plain,  but  the  pews  are  not  painted. 
There  are  several  new  Houses,  one  particularly  near  the  Mansion 
house  of  M'  Hubbard,  building  for  his  Son,  at  the  Corner  after 
passing  the  Pond  bridge  near  the  Meeting  House.  There  is  a  brick 
House  building  beyond,  opposite  to  Jones'  &  one  on  the  corner 
above.  The  new  Houses  have  not  been  so  numerous  as  at  Worces- 
ter, &  do  not  afford  so  gay  &  flourishing  an  appearance.  I  visited 
M''  Potter,  with  whom  I  lived  when  the  Students  from  Cambridge 
were  assembled  at  this  Town,  &  I  found  him  in  his  91  year,  in 
good  spirits,  able  to  walk  a  mile  every  Sunday  to  meeting  &  to  do 
work  abroad  in  the  fields  in  fair  weather.  Next  Morning  I  visited 
M'  Ripley  the  Minister,  &  found  a  likeness  of  the  late  M*"  Bliss, 
the  Father  of  his  wife,  &  who  had  been  also  a  minister  in  this 
place.  Went  on  to  Acton.  The  road  repaired,  &  made  more 
direct.  Arrived  at  M*"  Jones',  one  of  the  first  Settlers,  &  found  him 
88  years  old.  I  dined  with  him,  &  then  went  to  Col.  Faulkner's, 
&  spent  the  day.  The  Col's  two  daughters  &  a  M""  Brooks,  School- 
master at  Lynn,  belonging  to  this  Town,  &  a  Son  of  the  Col.,  Stu- 
dent at  Cambridge,  made  the  Company.  Lodged  here.  A  M' 
Wheeler  visited  us  and  helped  to  amuse  us.  This  man  was  known 
to  me  in  early  life.  He  had  a  strange  curiosity  to  know  how  things 
were  in  the  Hebrew.  The  next  day  I  visited  a  Son  of  a  M*"  Cutting, 
who  married  a  Ruggles,  a  neighbour  in  Boston.  His  mother  was 
living  at  86,  &  her  mother  at  84.  This  Cutting  was  son  of  a 
Mulatto,  who  upon  the  death  of  his  master,  accepted  some  wild 
land,  which  he  cultivated  &  upon  which  his  descendants  live  in  in- 
dependance.  We  then  visited  M'  Jones'  Son.  The  old  Gentleman 
travelled  with  me  all  this  distance  with  his  staff,  &  climbed  walls 
without  fear. 

Acton  has  not  been  long  settled.  M""  Jones  was  among  the  first, 
about  60  years  since.  17  families  were  in  it  when  incorporated. 
M''  Swift  was  Minister  25  years,  &  M""  Adams,  their  present  Minis- 
ter, has  been  with  them  17  years.  Some  of  the  first  land  has  been 
set  off  with  part  of  Concord  to  make  the  Town  of  Carlisle.  Another 
part  with  a  part  of  Stow  to  form  Boxborniujh.  We  pass  through 
Boxborough  on  this  road  to  go  to  Harvard.  The  Meeting  House  of 
Boxb.  is  a  plain  building  seen  on  a  hill  to  the  right.  Nothing 
presents  very  engaging  to  the  Traveller  upon  this  road.  Passing 
along  to  Harvard,  as  we  mount  the  great  Hill,  a  very  extensive 
prospect  opens  at  once.     The  Wachuset  &  the  Menadnoc  appear 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  149 

in  the  Horizon.  The  Meeting  House  of  Harvard  on  the  acclivity, 
lately  painted  white,  makes  a  pleasing  object.  Bromfield's  House 
appears  on  the  left  in  a  Vale  of  Trees.  This  House  was  built  by  a 
former  Minister,  M''  Seccombe,  of  the  name  with  the  Author  of 
Father  Abda's  Will.  Two  miles  beyond  I  reached  my  Brother 
Dawes',  near  the  Baptist  Meeting.  Soon  after  my  arrival,  M'  Par- 
ker, the  Baptist  Minister  &  the  Physician  came  in.  He  has  builded 
a  large  square  House  not  far  from  the  house  which  he  sold  to  my 
Brother.  He  has  a  good  farm.  Is  not  a  man  of  education.  Is  in- 
clined to  Universal  Salvation ,  having  already  shewn  an  inclination 
different  from  the  severe  restraints  of  his  sect,  &  perhaps  from  the 
moral  rules  of  life.  His  Congregation  daily  diminishes.  I  called 
at  M"  Grovenor's,  going  up.  She  is  the  relict  of  a  reputable  Min- 
ister, formerly  settled  at  Scituate,  &  afterwards  for  a  short  time  in 
Harvard.  She  was  a  daughter  of  the  last  celebrated  M""  Clark, 
Minister  of  Salem  Village  now  Danvers  upper. 

On  Saturday  I  rode  from  Harvard  five  miles  to  Shirley  to  see  the 
settlements  of  a  sect  called  Shakers.  They  are  more  easily  des- 
cribed by  their  modes  of  life,  than  by  any  doctrines  they  retain. 
The  sect  began  among  illiterate  people  &  originated  not  in  any 
speculative  knowledge.  In  every  period  of  its  existence  it  assumes 
a  new  form,  &  its  temper  is  meliorating,  while  its  appearance  be- 
comes less  &  less  forbidding.  I  saw  it  in  its  infancy,  &  attended 
the  lectures  of  one  of  its  elders.  He  was  a  man  of  good  natural 
abilities,  a  Farmer,  of  good  heart,  ever  fond  of  novelties,  & 
changes,  which  had  had  an  ill  effect  upon  his  temporal  affairs.  I 
saw  nothing  to  bring  his  designs  under  suspicion,  but  I  knew 
enough  of  the  man  to  know  that  he  could  easily  impose  upon  him- 
self. His  address  was  ready,  &  his  manner  not  unlike  the  common 
rant  of  our  New  Lights.  He  had  no  distortions,  but  his  hearers 
being  about  16  men  &  25  women,  were  greatly  agitated,  particular- 
ly in  the  confused  singing,  or  noise  called  labouring.  As  soon  as 
they  had  made  converts  sufficient  for  little  societies,  they  became 
fond  of  settling  together.  These  settlements  did  not  appear  to  be 
a  part  of  any  original  plan,  but  a  dictate  of  fanaticism,  &  directed 
by  numerous  conveniences  which  they  proposed.  To  see  a  Sect  ad- 
vanced from  such  unformed  state,  to  the  more  civilized  condition 
of  little  Towns,  &  families,  was  an  object  which  provoked  my 
greatest  curiosity.  As  I  passed  I  took  notice  of  the  quarry  of 
Slate,  which  has  been  worked  upwards  of  thirty  years,  &  is  now 
directed  by  ]\I''  Wales  of  Lancaster.  We  saw  the  workmen  seperate 
the  Slate  in  the  quarry,  bring  it  out  &  split  it.  A  Square  contain- 
ing 100  square  feet,  is  called  a  good  day's  work.  A  farmer's  son 
makes  40£  pr  annum  by  his  labour  in  the  quarry,  &  the  frequent 
calamities  from  fires,  which  break  out  in  great  Towns,  makes  the 
demand  equal  to  all  they  can  prepare  for  the  market.  This  same 
gentleman  has  the  direction  of  a  Quarry  upon  the  Hudson,  which 
he  expects  to  work  with  great  profit. 


150  DIARY  OF  [July 

About  one  mile  beyond  we  saw  the  settlement  of  the  Shakers  in 
Shirley.  Upon  our  arrival  we  were  kindly  received  at  a  House 
near  the  meeting  House,  by  one  of  the  Brethren,  who  seemed  to 
act  as  an  Overseer,  named  Perram,  who  gratified  our  curiosity  & 
displayed  the  greatest  hospitality.  M'  Elijah  Wild,  &  his  quon- 
dam Wife,  now  Sister,  were  also  distinguished  by  their  kind  atten- 
tion to  us.  As  the  spiritual  elder  was  absent  we  directed  few  en- 
quiries towards  their  religious  opinions.  We  first  viewed  the 
meeting  House,  which  drew  our  attention,  because  beautifully 
painted  white  on  the  sides  &  even  over  the  roof.  The  doors  were 
green.  Within,  the  wood  work  is  painted  of  a  deep  blue,  &  the  seats 
are  of  a  chocolate  colour.  The  Seats  are  moveable  benches,  placed 
round  the  room,  while  the  area  is  clear  like  a  Dancing  Room. 
There  are  two  Stoves  inserted  into  the  two  chimnies  at  the  end  of 
the  Building,  but  they  are  not  in  the  middle,  but  so  placed  as  to 
unite  with  the  sides  of  the  passage  which  lead  into  the  chambers, 
with  which  there  is  a  communication  from  the  sides  of  the  building 
without,  near  the  front  corners.  The  two  doors  on  the  north  side 
fronting  the  road,  open  into  the  House,  &  we  ascend  by  these  steps 
of  hewn  stone  placed  upon  a  broad  flat  stone,  &  which  were  brought 
9  miles.  At  each  end  &  near  the  corners  are  doors  with  the  same 
steps,  which  open  immediately  upon  the  Chamber  Stairs,  &  lead  to 
the  apartments  of  the  elders.  These  we  were  not  permitted  to 
visit.  In  the  Meeting  Room  were  pendant  brasses  to  receive  lights 
if  they  should  be  at  any  time  necessary.  These  brasses  were  flat 
plates  not  formed  like  our  Chandeliers  but  to  set  candle  sticks  upon, 
which  are  brought  into  the  Hall.  They  shove  up,  so  as  easily  to 
be  put  entirely  out  of  the  way.  We  were  told  that  the  Chambers 
were  in  five  apartments  &  the  lofts  in  three  partitions.  Above  400 
lb,  of  white  lead  was  used  upon  the  outside  of  the  Building.  We 
could  not  imagine  that  there  was  so  much  room  in  the  Buildings  till 
we  entered.  For  they  have  one  plan  of  all  their  Houses.  The  eves 
are  in  the  middle  of  the  second  story  as  in  our  common  garrets,  & 
this  story  has  its  light  from  luthern  windows,  &  the  third  story 
only  from  the  ends.  Hence  the  upper  rooms  are  used  for  vestries, 
store  rooms,  &  such  purposes,  particularly  the  middle  apartments, 
which  have  light  only  from  the  door.  The  Meeting  House  is  in 
the  Center  of  a  Square,  which  is  railed  in  by  a  handsome  fence  of 
rails,  dovetailed  into  the  Sill  &  the  cross  beam  open  &  flat.  The 
whole  surface  of  the  square  is  laid  in  turf,  brought  from  an  adja- 
cent field.  And  that  it  might  not  be  injured  by  rain  from  the 
building,  spouts  &  gutters  lead  off  the  waters  into  a  stone  drain, 
which  conveys  them  into  the  Street  under  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
In  different  directions  around  the  Meeting  House  are  the  houses  for 
the  accomodation  of  the  Brethren.  Such  as  they  have  built  are  all 
of  the  same  construction.  Such  as  they  have  purchased  remain 
much  as  they  were  before  the  purchase.     They  declare  all  the  work 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  151 

is  by  their  own  hands,  &  that  they  had  no  carpenters  among  them 
when  they  undertook.  They  began  upon  the  Meeting  House,  first. 
There  were  seven  rooms  opened  to  us  in  the  men's  apartments  in  the 
eastern  end  of  one  building,  &  the  partitions  between  these,  &  the 
apartments  for  the  women  at  the  other  end  of  the  House,  were 
formed  by  large  doors,  which  might  be  opened  in  times  of  their  de- 
votions. All  these  rooms  were  furnished  with  stoves  &  the  doors 
were  opened  to  shew  us  their  construction.  The  Beds  were  piled 
upon  each  other  in  the  same  form  in  every  room  &  while  they 
seemed  a  very  high  mass  to  the  Spectator,  had  a  large  covering 
which  gave  them  the  appearance  of  a  high  bed,  with  a  large  cover- 
ing reaching  to  the  floor.  Such  linen  as  was  in  sight  was  as  neat 
as  industry  &  good  materials  could  make  them  &  in  the  greatest 
simplicity.  The  whole  furniture  of  the  rooms  corresponded,  in  the 
greatest  good  order.  We  were  shewn  the  apartments  in  the  loft,  in 
which  were  all  the  chests  &  cloathes,  belonging  to  the  family  of 
the  House.  The  men's  in  one  apartment,  over  their  rooms,  &  the 
women's  in  the  adjoining  apartment.  We  observed  that  the  men 
did  not  go  into  the  women's  apartments  while  the  women  were 
present.  We  were  told  that  there  were  three  families  here,  each 
containing  about  60  souls,  &  all  worshipping  in  the  great  House 
every  Sunday.  They  possess  here  about  3,000  acres  of  land.  The 
Soil  is  not  good,  but  the  cultivation  is  the  best,  with  which  they 
are  acquainted.  They  have  two  fields,  each  of  30  acres,  with  rye. 
They  were  hoeing  a  good  field  of  corn.  Their  flax  was  in  admira- 
ble order.  We  visited  their  furnace  which  was  not  at  work,  but 
which  had  been  employed  in  casting  stoves,  andirons,  boxes  for 
wheels,  &  such  like  purposes.  They  had  a  place  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  shoes,  some  of  which  were  shewn  to  us.  From  the  Black- 
smith we  purchased  one  of  their  brass  Candle  sticks,  which  was 
very  plain  &  neat.  We  saw  Iron  candlesticks  of  the  same  form. 
They  make  all  their  own  iron  work  which  they  employ  in  their 
buildings,  carts,  gates  &  furniture.  Their  brass  work  in  the  Meet- 
ing was  made  by  themselves,  &  all  their  gates  are  screwed 
together,  &  not  fastened  by  clinched  nails,  &  they  open  both  ways. 
They  have  built  a  strong  timber  bridge  of  100  feet  in  length  over 
the  Nashuay,  which  passes  through  their  Land.  They  are  now  em- 
ployed in  straightening  the  road  for  one  mile  &  an  half,  before  the 
Meeting  House,  &  a  great  part  of  the  distance  is  finished.  They 
have  removed  vast  beds  of  rock,  &  builded  large  stonewalls,  upon 
which  the  fence  is  to  stand.  Their  Lines  are  as  straight  as  they 
can  be  made.  They  have  filled  up  great  hollows,  to  preserve  a  hor- 
izontal line  in  the  fence. 

We  conversed  with  only  two  women,  the  Wife  of  M''  Wilds  & 
another  who  brought  us  some  articles  of  their  manufacture  for  our 
examination.  We  were  shewn  some  excellent  blue  &  white  check 
handkerchiefs,  linens  of  various  kinds,  some  very  fine  &  thin,  & 


152  DIARY  OF  [July 

some  fit  for  shirting.  Good  specimens  of  women's  wear,  such  as 
they  used  were  shewn  to  us.  Most  excellent  diaper,  which  we 
could  not  refuse  to  engage  for  ourselves,  &  we  had  the  promise  of 
the  same  quality.  We  saw  some  excellent  stuff  for  women's  cloaks, 
&  some  Women's  muslin  handkerchiefs.  The  women  were  busy  at 
their  Looms  &  their  wheels,  &  tho'  we  were  not  introduced  to 
them,  they  were  kind  enough  to  shew  themselves  at  the  windows, 
&  to  give  us  the  usual  civil  tokens  of  their  regard.  Such  as  we 
saw  were  modest,  more  free  than  we  expected,  &  discovered  oblig- 
ing manners.  They  were  not  extremely  emaciated ,  but  we  observed 
none  of  full  habits.  Their  neatness  at  their  employments  exceeded 
every  thing  of  which  we  had  been  witnesses.  Their  dress  much 
resembled  that  among  the  people  of  the  Country,  &  no  mark  of  dif- 
ference was  so  visible  as  the  wide  borders  on  their  caps  which  hid 
the  greater  part  of  the  face  &  had  no  share  of  our  approbation. 
Things  upon  the  whole  made  a  favourable  impression. 

In  the  house  we  were  invited  to  drink.  Several  white  mugs  were 
brought,  one  of  them  had  spirits  &  water  with  loaf  sugar  &  nutmeg, 
others  had  good  family  spruce  beer,  &  milk.  We  were  invited  to 
smoak,  &  some  pipes  of  their  own  casting  were  brought.  They 
were  of  clay,  &  the  stems  called  stalls,  were  of  osier.  They  solicit- 
ed us  repeatedly  to  stay  &  dine  in  their  house,  promising  to  provide 
for  us  at  any  hour,  &  according  to  our  wishes.  They  were  reluctant 
in  taking  pay.  For  a  handkerchief,  the  women  absolutely  refused 
to  take  money,  till  at  last  they  were  persuaded  to  accept  a  small 
sum  as  a  gift.  For  a  dozen  of  their  pipes  they  would  receive  noth- 
ing. We  paid  the  Smith  for  his  candlestick  &  had  it  marked  in 
memory  of  this  visit.  They  confess  their  inferiority  to  their  breth- 
ren in  Harvard,  of  whom  they  speak  in  the  highest  manner. 
Amidst  their  praises  ,which  awaken  our  curiosity,  one  of  the  women 
told  me  that  they  did  indeed  exceed  in  everything  but  in  their  linen 
manufactory,  that  she  could  not  cede  to  them  in  that  matter.  The 
present  state  of  this  Sect  is  unknown  to  me.  Abroad  it  is  said 
that  it  is  not  in  a  flourishing  condition  by  continual  increase.  It 
is  said,  the  services  are  too  severe,  which  are  exacted.  But  upon 
their  countenances  nothing  could  be  seen  which  discovered  discon- 
tent. In  their  general  industry,  &  equal  condition,  there  seemed  no 
present  cause  for  complaint.  There  were  persons  of  all  ages,  &  in 
the  proportions  usual  in  our  Towns.  We  saw  none  of  their  elders, 
who  are  said  to  enjoy  the  riches  entrusted  to  them,  by  plain  but 
good  cloathings,  a  generous  payment  of  all  their  expences  which  their 
own  discretion  may  incur.  They  referred  us  to  Harvard  for  the 
best  manufacture  of  whips.  The  stuff  resembling  Lasting,  of  which 
their  shoes  were  made,  was  of  their  own  manufacture,  but  admitted 
of  improvement.  As  we  parted,  they  reminded  us  of  an  acre  of 
melons  both  water  &  musk  through  which  we  had  passed,  &  of 
which  they  wished  that  we  had  been  in  season  to  partake.     They 


1795J  "WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  153 

had  several  Clocks  of  their  own  making.     At  noon  we  returned  to 
Harvard. 

On  Sunday  we  found  a  decent  Congregation  at  Harvard,  &  the 
reception  at  Madam  Grovenor's,  the  lodging  of  the  Minister,  was  very 
obliging.  The  ladies,  her  daughters,  knew  how  to  recommend  them- 
selves. In  the  meeting  House  the  Singers  are  placed  behind  the 
long  seats  in  the  Body  of  the  House.  There  is  a  Seat  for  the  Elders  & 
for  the  Deacons  before  the  Pulpit,  which  gives  two  rows  of  pews  on 
each  side.  The  Pulpit  is  high.  The  House  is  light  &  well  situated. 
Cleverly,  an  Episcopal  reader  from  Braintree  is  here,  who  makes 
himself  known  on  the  holy  days,  Penuiraan  also  an  outcast  Con- 
gregational minister  from  Bedford.  There  is  a  young  Doctor  Park- 
er here,  &  Curtis  keeps  the  public  House.  Winchester  has  preached 
here  lately  among  the  anabaptists,  &  I  had  the  honour  of  preach- 
ing after  the  evening  service  in  the  same  desk. 

20.  Monday  morning  we  left  M*"  Dawes'  House  to  visit  the 
Shakers  in  the  northern  quarter  of  Harvard.  We  called  upon 
Major  B.  Kimball,  Esq'",  the  Representative,  who  expected  to 
accompany  us.  We  passed  the  Cong.  Meeting  House,  &  proceeded 
in  a  very  bad  road,  until  we  reached  the  settlement.  We  came  to 
an  house  1/2  a  mile  before  we  reached  the  Meeting  House,  above 
which  is  the  house  lately  built  by  Shadrack  Ireland,  whose  follow- 
ers were  never  to  die.  We  found  the  same  attention  here  as  we  had 
enjoyed  in  Shirley.  M"^  Jewett  &  M'  Willard  gratified  every  rea- 
sonable wish.  Both  of  them  had  been  good  farmers,  &  the  first  was 
advanced  in  years.  They  shewed  us  their  Meeting  House,  which 
had  all  the  proportions  of  that  in  Shirley,  only  the  inclosed  area 
was  not  so  large  around  it,  &  the  rail  fence  was  only  nailed  upon 
cross  pieces.  It  was  painted  as  the  House  in  Shirley.  They  hold 
about  1000  acres  of  land  &  there  are  three  families,  one  of  which 
consists  of  more  than  90  persons.  All  together  exceed  200  persons. 
Besides  Ireland's  house  in  which  we  were  entertained  &  which  is 
a  square  house  of  two  stories  &  a  crown  roof  &  chiefly  improved 
for  Shops,  they  have  several  farm  houses  which  are  around  the 
Meeting  House  upon  the  country  roads,  &  3  of  two  Stories.  There 
are  several  small  buildings.  In  front  of  the  Meeting  House  is  a 
new  road  laid  out  above  one  quarter  of  a  mile.  The  walls  are 
excellent  &  high,  &  upon  an  horizontal  line,  &  as  straight  as 
they  can  be  laid.  The  Road  is  not  quite  finished  but  a  good 
path  is  already  finished.  There  are  three  new  buildings  upon 
the  Street  for  the  Dwellings  of  the  Brethren,  &  another  upon 
the  full  proportions  of  their  buildings,  already  framed  &  raised. 
This  gave  us  an  opertunity  to  see  the  construction.  They  have 
very  much  timber  in  their  frames,  &  even  in  the  Meeting  House, 
at  each  end  of  the  Beams,  there  are,  as  they  call  them,  Dutch 
Braces,  which  are  sealed,  &  of  the  same  proportions  with  the 
Beams.     At  the  head  of  their  garden  on  the    north  part,  facing 


154  DIAKY  OF  [July 

southward  is  the  Gardner's  House,  in  which  are  kept  all  his  Tools 
of  agriculture,  &  his  seed,  with  a  little  room  in  front,  for  company. 
Four  acres  in  front  of  it  were  planted  as  a  Garden.  There  was  one 
full  acre  of  Carrots.  Their  produce  from  one  acre  in  one  Garden 
last  year  was  400  bushels.  Everything  belonging  to  the  family 
garden  was  here  to  be  seen.  Besides  their  beds  of  Sage  &  Baum, 
there  were  large  beds  of  Onions,  parsneps,  potatoe  fields,  cabbages, 
&c.  Nor  were  ornamental  flowers  forgotten  as  we  saw  the  Piana, 
&  other  flowers  in  the  first  bed.  The  Gardens  have  large  paths 
through  them  &  are  of  easy  descent  so  as  to  have  a  good  effect 
when  viewed  from  the  upper  part  of  the  garden.  Each  family  has 
its  garden.  The  principle  garden  was  not  far  from  the  Meeting 
House. 

We  were  inquisitive  here  into  their  institution,  particularly  as 
M''  Whitney  has  scetched  it  in  his  history  of  the  County  of  Wor- 
cester. But  we  obtain  little  information,  but  about  facts.  They  re- 
ferred us  to  a  letter  written  by  Elder  James,the  same  perhaps  referred 
to  by  Hannah  Adams.  This  is  the  only  written  work  they  avow,  & 
this  was  designed  for  a  deaf  woman.  I  could  find  nothing  which 
agreed  with  Whitney's  account,  &  suspect  he  was  misinformed. 
The  following  is  the  account  which  I  received.  They  have  one  su- 
perior, Joseph  Meachuvi,  who  lives  in  New  Lebanon,  in  New  York 
State.  To  him  all  others  are  subordinate.  He  was  bred  a  Mer- 
chant. The  Elders  have  now  their  particular  departments  allotted  to 
them.  Eleazar  Rand  is  the  Elder  for  Harvard  &  Shirley,  &  had 
this  morning  set  out  upon  a  visit  to  the  Brethren  in  Maine.  So  well 
as  they  could  recollect  they  shewed  us  the  extent  of  the  Brother- 
hood. They  have  friends  &  families  at  Canterbury  in  New  Ham- 
shire,  &  at  Enfield  near  it  under  the  Elder  Joseph  Bishop.  They 
have  families  at  Sanford  &  Alfred,  &  near  Sabago  pond  in  York  & 
Cumberland  Counties,  Maine,  under  Elder  John  Barnes.  They 
have  families  at  Hancock,  Hamp.  C,  Mass.,  under  Calvin  Harlow,  a 
Surgeon  &  now  an  Elder,  who  had  a  Collegiate  education.  They 
claim  another  at  Enfield,  Conn.,  as  well  as  another  above  Albany. 
Such  were  all  they  collected.  They  confessed  that  they  had  no  cor- 
respondence with  any  Brethren  in  England,  or  any  part  of  Europe. 
They  were  not  able  to  estimate  their  whole  number,  &  it  seems  all 
these  persons  possessed  was  collected  from  conversation.  Upon  the 
important  question  how  they  were  to  exist  without  the  intercourse 
of  the  sexes,  they  seemed  to  resolve  all  into  the  will  of  God,  &>  the 
visible  means  were  such  as  had  supported  the  religious  orders  of  all 
nations.  Proselytism.  Elder  Rand,  with  a  Brother  Companion, 
has  to  his  own  use  all  the  rooms  appropriated  in  the  Meeting 
Houses.  This  man  was  bred  at  Harvard  in  the  family  of  a  wealthy 
farmer,  upon  charity,  &  had  no  advantages  but  such  as  perservance 
&  good  natural  sense  can  give  him.  In  the  House  we  found  several 
articles  of  their  manufacture.     We  purchased  two   excellent  whips 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  155 

which  were  made  with  great  ingenuity.  We  had  some  stailes  given 
u3  for  our  pipes,  &  we  purchased  a  specimen  of  their  Shoe  brushes. 
They  had  not  a  furnace  as  at  Shirley,  but  they  have  their  Black 
smiths,  &  White  smiths,  &  they  shewed  us  a  Surgeon's  instrument 
made  with  great  exactness.  Their  Hammers  here  as  well  as  at 
Shirley  discover  neat  &  sufficient  workmanship.  After  every  civil- 
ity &  payment,  which  was  readily  received,  we  separated. 

While  at  Harvard  I  had  the  attention  of  M""  Pollard  &  Son  who 
live  a  mile  beyond  my  brother,  from  M"^  Whitney,  Major  Kimball, 
&  E.  Haskell,  Traders  in  company.  I  visited  the  Townsends  of  Bol- 
ton, &  took  a  pleasant  ride  through  Lancaster,  &  paid  my  last  re- 
spects to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Harrington  who  is  at  the  close  of  life. 
Monday  morning  we  walked  one  mile  to  see  Bear  Hill  Pond.  In 
no  part  is  it  1/2  mile  wide,  &  above  1/4  only  at  the  S.  W.  end.  We 
had  not  a  fair  view  of  the  N.  E.  part,  but  I  marked  a  plan  of  it  on 
the  spot  from  a  Hill  on  the  S.  W.  &  found  its  outlet  about  1/2  mile 
S.  W.  on  the  road  from  Harvard  Cong.  Meeting  House.  A  point  of 
Land  seemed  to  divide  the  N.  part  of  the  Pond,  &  the  pond  entered 
more  deeply  on  the  E.  branch.  We  met  upon  our  return  Deacon 
Willard,  going  to  reap  an  acre  of  wheat  near  the  pond.  On  Mon- 
day after  our  return  we  were  entertained  at  the  Free  School  by 
Louisa  Waldo,  who  keeps  for  young  children  in  the  summer  months. 
She  gave  us  an  exhibition  of  20  small  children,  who  read,  spell,  & 
answer  the  usual  questions  of  punctuation  &  grammar  with  pleasing 
readiness.  They  also  exhibited  select  pieces  of  dialogues  with  great 
ease  &  propriety.  The  writing  was  good.  All  these  branches  were 
under  the  sole  direction  of  this  young  woman.  Her  reward  is  by 
no  means  adequate  to  her  services.  Next  morning  I  breakfasted  with 
Col.  Bromtield  one  mile  below.  His  house  was  on  an  hill  from 
which  14  Meeting  Houses  could  be  distinctly  seen. 

Returned  July  22,  Wednesday  noon.  Found  the  people  pleased 
with  M'  Emerson  &  one  funeral  had  taken  place  in  my  absence  & 
one  marriage.  Notes  left  on  Sunday,  July  19.  Thomas  Rue  &  Wife 
&  Children,  death  of  his  Son,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Susannah 
Becket,  d.  of  her  G.  Children,  &  friends  at  Sea.  Peter  Murray  & 
AVife  for  her  dang:  sick.     Anna  Dwire  for  her  child  sick. 

24.  Drank  Tea  at  M''  Stone's.     The  first  visit  after  nine  years. 
M""  Gerry  in  Town  to  visit  his  friend  Gen.    Fiske.     Great  grief  to 
me,  the  ill  conduct  of  my  pupil,  son  of  the  General.     No   change 
for  the  better  in  the  General's  State. 

25.  A  M"^  Law  has  arrived  in  this  Town  who  is  well  known  for 
his  success  in  teaching  Psalmody  in  the  best  societies  of  Connecti- 
cut. His  great  success  induces  us  to  aid  an  experiment  in  this 
Town  in  which  so  much  labour  has  been  expended  &  much  money 
without  any  valuable  effect. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  Stephen  Webb  &  children,  pr.  d.  of 
Daughter  Murray,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.     Wid.  H.  Murray,  d.  of 


156  DIARY  OF  [July 

Daughter  in  Law  Murray,  pr.  for  absent  friends.  Peter  Murray,  d. 
of  his  Wife  (pr.  with  his  daughter)  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Wid. 
M.  Waters,  d.  of  her  only  Son  (pr.  with  her  daughter)  &  pr.  for 
friends  at  Sea.  Wid.  S.  Leach,  d.  of  her  Son  in  Law  Waters. 
Sarah  Waters,  d.  of  her  husband  abroad.  Elisabeth  Millet,  thanks 
for  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 

27.  Several  Vessels  have  returned,  &  have  suffered  great  losses 
of  men.  Ten  persons  are  reported  to  us  in  the  last  week  belonging 
to  this  Town.  Such  is  the  mortality  in  the  West  Indies.  The  Minis- 
ters had  a  conference  upon  the  intended  Plan  of  Singing  at  the  Rev. 
M'  D.  Hopkins  this  afternoon.  The  result  was  that  they  agreed 
that  they  would  approve  the  design,  confer  with  their  Committees, 
recommend  it  to  the  Students,  &  use  prudent  means  to  facilitate,  &c. 
the  success  in  the  Town. 

29.  Rode  to  Nahant  &  the  Beaches  in  Company  with  two  young — . 
This  ought  to  prevent  any  other  attempt  to  enjoy  with  familiarity 
those  whose  education  does  not  provide  the  best  rules  for  the  mind. 
Fowles  died  a  few  days  since,  who  possessed  the  Farm  upon  Mar- 
blehead  Line  as  we  go  to  Phillips'.  He  had  wasted  life  in  a  misera- 
ble manner.  The  objection  to  the  House  of  pleasure  on  Nahant 
offered  by  Friend  Wood,  is,  that  it  would  be  visited  only  two  months 
of  the  year.  But  would  not  apartments  for  invalids  always  be 
filled  if  they  were  provided  with  conveniences. 

31.  The  road  through  the  Rope  Walk  is  now  the  subject.  The 
Selectmen  are  unwilling  to  proceed  to  open  a  passage,  from  Threats 
of  a  prosecution.  The  neighbours  feel  very  uneasy  upon  the  subject. 

Aug.  1.  [1795]  A  Bison  in  Town.  It  confirms  Buffon's  opinion 
that  it  is  the  Cow  in  a  state  of  nature,  &  that  the  difference  is  acci- 
dental. In  the  afternoon  it  was  carried  through  the  Town,  &  such 
persons  gave  as  pleased  to  compensate  the  man  for  his  Trouble. 

6.  Bradford  of  Rowley,  has  suffered  much  from  his  Antifederal 
Sermon.  The  Association  have  disapproved  it,  &  have  received 
some  acknowledgment.  So  says  report,  &  the  Gazette,  &  in  sub- 
stance it  is  true.  A  Vessel  launched  this  afternoon  at  Becket's 
Yard.  Pomp  executed  at  Ipswich  for  the  murder  of  his  master, 
Plummer's  account  of  him  has  a  tendency  to  make  Dying  Speeches 
ridiculous.  It  is  75  years  we  are  told  since  the  execution  of  any 
person  at  Ipswich.  It  was  done  upon  Newbury  road  above  the 
Town.     Only  two  persons  in  a  Century  executed  in  Salem. 

7.  Had  the  pleasure  of  the  Company  of  D'  Bass,  of  Newbury 
Port,  who  reached  my  house  at  11,  &  left  after  4  o'clock.  It  is  a 
great  pleasure  to  receive  an  old  man  who  has  maintained  his  integ- 
rity, usefulness  &  reputation,  through  a  long  life,  &  who  has  resisted 
all  the  temptations  into  the  thorny  path  of  Ambition.  He  has  been 
elected  Bishop  by  the  Episcopal  clergy  of  this  State  &  New  Hamp- 
shire. He  has  since  been  elected  Bishop  of  Vermont,  but  he  has 
preferred  the  plain  path  o£  life. 


1795]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  157 

8.  Arrived  here,  Capt.  Fairfield  from  Ireland,  with  the  famiU'  of 
M'' Dun  lap  whose  son  has  lately  been  settled  among  us.  We  are 
told  that  80  persons  have  come  passengers  in  this  Vessel,  principally 
mechanics. 

13.  Dined  with  Dunlap,  &  with  the  family.  Report  that  there 
is  a  M""  Titler*  in  their  company,  banished  from  Scotland,  who  is  a 
well  known  Chymist.  I  have  seen  his  poem  on  Liberty  written  on 
board  Ship,  &  his  printed  answer  to  Paine  is  in  Town.  He  is  said  to 
have  written  upon  the  article  Chymistry  in  the  Scotch  Eucyclopedie. 

15.  This  morning  the  melancholy  talk  of  the  murderous  stab 
given  to  a  young  English  Seaman  in  the  House  of  Blackburne 
the  Chimney  Sweeper.  I  was  present  at  the  Charity  House  when 
he  made  his  last  dying  declaration  that  he  was  stabbed  by  the 
wretch  above  named.  He  solemnly  &  upon  oath  declared  that 
there  was  no  previous  quarrel,  &  that  he  was  coming  away 
peaceably.  The  wretch  made  no  apology  for  his  conduct,  but  from 
his  intemperance. 

16.  Sunday.  This  afternoon  the  Jury  of  inquest  was  upon  the 
Body  of  George  Wilkinson  murdered  by  Blackburne.  A  M""  Bott 
refused  to  acquiesce  in  the  verdict  murder,  but  as  he  came  late  upon 
the  Jury  &  the  number  was  complete  before,  all  above  twelve  were 
dropped  from  the  Jury.  The  prayer  was  made  in  the  yard,  before 
a  great  concourse  of  people.  The  body  was  detained  for  some  time 
afterwards  till  the  verdict  was  given. 

19.  A  proposal  has  been  made  by  subscription  to  repair  the 
Weather  Cock,  paint  the  Spire,  &  do  other  necessary  work  upon  the 
East  Meeting,  as  has  been  just  done  upon  the  old  Meeting.  The 
Sum  proposed  to  be  raised  was  500  dollars,  above  300  of  which  have 
been  already  obtained,  &  the  stages  are  now  erecting  upon  the  Spire. 

20.  This  day  at  noon  the  W^eather  Cock  was  delivered  to  us 
below  from  the  Spire,  &  sent  on  to  the  blacksmith's  for  a  new  Tail 
or  to  take  the  old  Tail  which  was  blown  off.  It  blew  off  in  March, 
1783. 

23.  Sunday.  ^Mary  Crookshanks  with  her  Children,  d.  of  her 
daughter,  Son  at  Sea. 

24.  Visited  M""  Gardiner's  Farm,  &  M""  Derby's  &  took  Tea  with 
M''  Gardiner.  From  him  I  found  the  people  more  attached  to  the 
open  &  sincere  manners  of  their  former  Pastor,  than  to  any  severe 
manners  of  sect  &  party.  It  has  not  been  a  remarkable  year  for 
fruit  in  Derby's  garden.  The  quantity  of  Hay  is  uncommon. 
Common  Apple  orchards  are  flourishing. 

25.  A  Certificate  written  for  Jean  Baptiste  Marie  Fage,  born  at 
Doulon,  near  Nantes,  parish  of  St.  Medard,  arrived  at  Salem,  7  July 
1794,  where  he  has  constantly  resided  till  Aug.  24, 1795.  This  day 
the  Weather  Cock  ascended  the  Spire,  with  his  coat  of  Gold. 

2G.     Went  to  Beverly  to  see  the  repairs  upon  their  meeting  house, 

*Jamee  Tytler. 


158  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

&  find  a  portico  supported  upon  fo\ir  columns  extending  50  feet  in 
front  of  the  house.  The  pediment  does  not  ascend  beyond  the  first 
story  &  has  not  a  very  good  effect. 

30.  Sunday.  Very  warm.  The  glass  at  90°  before  noon.  The 
service  was  tedious  to  the  exhausted  public  speaker.  Nicholas  Lane 
&  Wife,  her  delivery. 

31.  There  have  been  alarms  of  Fire.  Reports  were  of  a  design 
to  put  fire  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Carpenter,  but  the  circumstan- 
ces do  not  warrant  such  a  fear.  In  the  afternoon  fire  was 
cried,  &  the  barn  of  the  Sun  Tavern  was  full  of  smoke.  This  was 
a  suspicious  case,  but  no  person  could  imagine  how  fire  should  get 
at  the  bottom  of  a  Hay  loft  in  full  day.  In  the  evening  the  Fire 
was  more  serious.  After  one  o'clock  a  fire  broke  out  in  a  low  barn 
belonging  to  M'  Brook's,  Truckman,  situated  upon  Palfrey's  Wharf, 
in  Daniel's  Street,  eastern  end  of  the  Town.  In  it  all  his  four 
horses  were  distroyed.  He  disowns,  at  that  time  to  have  carried 
fire  into  it.  He  was  in  it  at  1/2  past  10.  One  of  the  neighbours 
passed  it  at  11  o'clock,  &  the  men  who  returned  from  Stage  point 
from  graving  a  Vessel  at  12  o'.  There  had  been  a  fire  on  the  preceed- 
ing  day  at  a  Boat  builder's  Shop  at  some  distance  but  the  barn  was 
to  windward,  &  one  load  of  Hay  had  been  carried  into  the  Barn. 
The  flakes  of  fire  passed  the  east  Meeting  House. 

Sept.  3.  [1795]  Fixed  the  Electric  Rods  upon  the  Steeple,  & 
took  away  the  upper  Stages.  M'  Tytler  has  published  his  poem 
upon  liberty.  Had  it  been  published  in  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  from  an  Emigrant,  it  would  have  been  a  rapsody  adapted  to 
the  character  of  the  times.     But  it  does  not  take  hold  now. 

5.  Committee  met  at  the  Meeting  House  &  finally  agreed  to 
paint  the  outside  of  the  Meeting,  to  put  a  narrow  porch  in  front,  to 
build  a  fence  back  of  the  House,  &  repair  the  stones  in  Front. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Ruth  Collins,  d.  of  her  Child  &  Husband  at 
Sea.     Sarah  Prince,  delivery,  Husb.  &  Br.  at  Sea. 

12.  Rode  in  company  with  the  Southern  Gentlemen  to  Derby's 
Farm  &  to  Chipman's  at  Beverly.  This  Gentleman  entertained  us 
with  his  Tannery,  &  particularly  with  his  Horizontal  Windmill 
which  he  is  constructing  to  grind  Bark.  Possessing  the  resources 
of  a  good  mechanic  genius  he  is  determined  to  repeat  an  experiment 
which  has  hitherto  proved  unsuccessful.  He  has  made  only  one 
alteration  as  yet,  &  his  works  not  being  ready  for  trial,  we  knew  not 
with  what  success.  He  observed  that  the  Leeward  Vanes  trembled 
first,  &  that  on  the  present  construction  they  were  not  fixed  to  re- 
ceive the  air,  &  observing  how  ships  trim  to  windward,  he  has  made 
a  model  which  receives  all  the  wind  which  escapes  through  the 
windward  vanes  on  the  Leeward  before  it  escapes,  &  so  as  to  assist 
the  motion.  His  Stone  is  less  heavy  than  Richardson's  in  this  Town. 
His  gudgeons  are  brass.  His  Vanes  are  supported  by  arms  without 
braces.     He  shew  us  a  farm  in  good  order.     A  well  contrived  stye, 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.  D.  159 

a  fine  pigeon  house,  the  doves  chiefly  Avhite,  a  convenient  barn,  ex- 
cellent stone  wall,  &  j)i-ovision  for  greater  improvements.  He  does 
not  wish  for  the  Mill  to  break  his  hides.  This  shave  has  blunted 
teeth  on  the  inside,  which  he  has  introduced  &  which  breaks  the 
inner  skin  effectually  in  twice  drawing.  His  bark  house  is  proper- 
ly secured.  All  his  Vats  convenient.  His  lime  holes  emptied  by 
a  drain  below.  He  informed  us  that  he  contrived  the  pumps  which 
deliver  a  bucket  at  a  stroke  with  great  ease.  We  passed  to  the 
Factory,*  surveyed  the  Jennies  for  spinning,  the  cording  ma- 
chines, the  roping,  the  twisting,  the  winding,  &c.  They  make  ex- 
cellent bed  ticks  in  the  Factory.  jVf  Chipman  thinks  the  power 
might  easily  be  made  greater  in  Kindley's  machine  for  making 
brick,  which  would  give  a  greater  ease  in  managing  it. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  W™  Peele  &  Wife  for  youngest  daughter 
sick,  &  Sou  at  Sea. 

20.  Sunday.  Note.  Hannah  Collins,  d.  of  j^oungest  Child,  pr. 
Husb.  &  Son  at  Sea. 

21.  By  enquiring  &  examining,  the  boy  named  Macmillon  con- 
fessed to  M"^  Dunlap  that  he  attended  a  Negro  in  the  business  of 
putting  fire  to  the  Out  House  of  M""  Dunlap. 

22.  Upon  further  exam,  of  the  Boy,  he  confessed  that  with  his 
own  hands  he  carried  the  fire  to  the  Out  house  of  M""  Dunla])  in 
Tinder  in  a  Tinder  Box,  &  that  his  design  was  to  burn  up  Capt. 
Allen  for  some  disagreement  between  Capt.  Allen  &  his  Father 
about  a  Farm.  He  confessed  that  he  had  stolen  Capt.  Welman's 
axe,  which  was  taken  away  when  preparations  were  made  for  a 
fire  at  his  House  adjoining  to  Capt.  Allen's,  by  placing  a  pitch  Tub 
&  an  empty  Barrel  where  a  fire  might  be  kindled  in  the  Barn.  He 
also  Took  the  Axe  of  Hawkes  &  Babbidge  from  the  building  nearest 
to  the  fire  adjoining  to  Brooks'  Barn  which  was  burnt  not  long 
since.  Fires  supposed  to  be  kindled  by  this  wretch  are  :  Three 
times  in  Capt.  Jn°  White's  Barn  adjoining  to  his  Father's  House  in 
Curtis  St.  Once  at  the  back  of  the  House  belonging  to  his  Father 
in  Curtis  St.  Once  at  Capt.  John  Derby's  Barn,  Derby  Street. 
Once  at  Brooks'  Barn,  which  was  burnt  down.  Twice  at  Dunlap's, 
once  the  Barn  was  burnt.  And  preparations  at  Timothy  Welman's 
near  Allen's. 

23.  Spent  this  evening  with  M""  Curwinf  who  has  passed  his  80"* 
year.  He  shewed  me  his  collection  of  natural  history,  of  coins,  & 
curiosities,  &  gave  me  some  specimens  to  take  away  with  me.  A 
collection  of  this  kind  however  small  is  a  curiosity  in  our  Country, 
and  our  Public  institutions  are  yet  in  the  greatest  infancy  in  these 
respects.  Wrote  a  Subscription  paper  for  Deborah  Foot  to  assist 
her  to  recover  the  property  of  Jonathan  Foot  in  a  Lot  of  Land,  now 
held  by  Solomon  Lufkin,  &  also  an  undivided  fifth  part  of  Malachi 

•Beverly  Cotton  Factory. 

tJndge  Samuel  Curwen,  the  Loyalist. 


160  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

Foot's  estate,  now  in  the  possession  of  Solomon  Lufkin.     Jonathan 
Foot  is  now  aged  &  poor  &  burnt  out  at  Boston. 

24.  The  new  road  continuing  Derby  Street  was  opened  last 
Tuesday.  Three  gentlemen,  Brown  of  Beverly,  &  Hooper  of  Mar- 
blehead,  &  Shillaber,  were  referees  &  they  gave  the  widow  Orne 
275,£  for  her  privilege  in  the  Ropewalk.  There  is  now  a  continued 
way  to  the  Neck  by  M"  Whitford's. 

25.  Capt.  Berry  arrived  in  Dunlap's  Schooner  from  Gonaives, 
Hispaniola,  &  brings  us  news  of  the  death  of  William  Dunlap  his 
supercargo,  &  John  Dale  one  of  his  foremost  hands.  M"  Vincent, 
&  M"  Perkins  buried  this  day. 

26.  This  day  M"  Sage's  child  died  which  made  the  second  child 
in  one  week,  the  first  time  that  such  an  event  has  occurred  in  my 
ministry,  that  I  recollect. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joseph  Vincent  &  Children,  d.  of  his 
Wife  &  their  mother.  Samuel  Cheever  &  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of 
his  youngest  daughter.  Tarrant  Perkins,  d.  of  his  wife.  Oliver 
Webb  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  Child. 

30.  Took  a  walk  in  Company  with  M"  Orne  &  her  two  Daugh- 
ters, a  Miss  Whetmore,  &  the  four  daughters  of  Count  de  Grasse, 
with  Messieurs  Fage,  Herengl,  Rodrigue,  &  Melece,  to  M"  Orne's 
Farm  four  miles  in  Danvers  toward  Lynnfield.  We  arrived  after 
Twelve.  From  the  farm  I  took  a  solitary  walk  to  explore  the  pond 
found  in  this  neighbourhood.  I  travelled  on  in  the  road  above  ^ 
mile  and  then  below  the  second  house  from  Orne's  I  turned  in  by  a 
pair  of  bars  into  a  pasture  &  mounted  a  rock  near  a  wall,  which 
was  seen  upon  the  hill  soon  after  I  passed  Orne's  house.  From  this 
Rock  I  passed  in  a  hollow  leaving  a  hill  with  trees  on  my  left  to  a 
large  body  of  Rocks,  &  leaving  them  on  the  left  I  soon  reached  the 
top  of  the  Hill,  from  which  I  saw  the  pond.  As  the  north  Steeple 
bore  down  the  road  from  M""^  Orne's  this  must  have  been  N.  W. 
from  the  Town  by  the  opening  in  the  Trees  on  the  road.  The  Pond 
has  an  Island  in  it,  which  has  an  Orchard  iipon  it,  &  I  was  told 
was  called  Humphrey's  pond.  The  Island  approaches  to  the  Shore, 
&  can  be  waded  to  at  5  feet  depth  in  dry  times.  The  pond  has  less 
than  100  acres  of  surface.  The  Upper  Steeple  of  Danvers  was 
plainly  to  be  seen  &  the  whole  road  up  as  far  as  the  Widow  Upton's. 
The  Houses  in  Lynnfield  &  Reading  were  to  be  seen  but  Lynnfield 
meeting  House  being  low  was  not  distinguished  &  Reading  Steeple 
was  behind  a  hill  with  Wood  upon  it.  I  returned  to  the  House  by 
the  same  roiite.  After  a  plain  dinner  we  walked  around  the  farm 
containing  above  100  acres  besides  a  lot  below  on  the  great  road 
adjoining  to  Derby's  Farm.  The  farm  runs  almost  from  the  road 
on  which  the  House  stands  to  the  road  leading  to  Upton's  &  Read- 
ing Precinct,  the  Country  Road.  In  the  evening  early  we  returned 
to  Salem. 

Oct.  1.     [1795]     The  day  appointed  for  the  Brigade  review  un- 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  161 

der  Gen.  Abbott  at  Danvers.  Col.  John  Harthorne  at  the  head  of 
the  Salem  Kegiineut.  There  were  present  Salem,  Lynn,  Danvers 
&  Beverly  Regiments.  The  late  appointment  of  Watkins,  Brigade 
Major  did  not  please  many  persons.  The  day  was  fine  &  the  con- 
course great.  I  travelled  upon  foot,  but  not  being  able  to  pass  at 
Waters'  Bridge,  where  M""  Reed  is  at  work,  &  not  trusting  the  Dory, 
with  a  few  friends  we  attempted  to  travel  across  to  the  other  Dan- 
vers road,  but  we  should  have  found  it  better  to  have  returned  upon 
om*  own  steps,  into  the  cross  road  by  Gardener's  Farm,  for  after  we 
entered  the  pastures  at  Waters  Bridge,  we  were  soon  obliged  to 
head  an  inlet  which  bent  southward  &  then  the  low  grounds  were 
so  wet  that  we  were  under  the  necessity  to  ascend  to  a  cross  road, 
&  keeping  our  right  rather  than  the  left  hand  we  were  led  down- 
wards toward  the  branch  of  the  river  opposite  Hooper's  now  Collins' 
House,  &  then  finding  no  passage  from  the  full  tide  were  obliged 
with  great  trouble  to  return,  &  enter  the  road  above  the  house  on 
the  right  hand,  before  we  reached  Putnam's  brick  house  on  the 
Danvers  Road.  We  arrived  at  Noon,  as  the  Review  was  closing,  & 
took  our  dinner  in  the  Tents  with  good  appetite.  In  the  afternoon 
there  was  SHAM  fight,  but  from  the  hill  we  saw  only  the  smoak, 
&  had  some  amusements  of  chitchat  till  the  troops  were  dismissed. 
I  returned  on  foot  by  Waters'  Bridge  which  was  passable  on  plank 
at  low  tide.  There  was  great  good  order  &  no  accidents  this  day. 
Cape  Ann  Regiment  is  to  be  reviewed  on  the  19  October. 

2.  One  young  Nourse  was  injuried  upon  his  return  last  evening, 
by  the  careless  trick  of  tiring  off  a  gun  near  his  breast.  There  was 
much  of  this  ill  behaviour  on  the  occasion  against  the  remonstrances 
of  the  Officers  of  every  rank.  This  young  man  was  one  of  our  most 
useful  Singers. 

3.  This  day  Gen.  Fiske  was  brought  back  from  Free  Town  near 
Taunton.  He  left  this  Town  at  midnight  last  Tuesday.  He  was 
found  destitute  of  money,  ragged  &  dirty,  by  a  Physician,  &  on 
foot  having  left  his  Horse  &  Sulkey  several  miles  behind  upon  the 
road.  The  Physician  took  him  home,  &  on  Saturday  this  day 
brought  him  back  to  Boston. 

4.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Dale,  d.  of  her  Husband.  Su- 
sannah Seward,  d.  of  her  son  Dale.  James  Collins,  ret.  fr.  Sea,  d. 
of  child  in  his  absence.  S.  Archer  &  Wife,  d.  of  youngest  child,  pr. 
for  Brother  at  Sea. 

5.  This  day  M*"  Vincent  put  down  his  last  pier  in  the  Cove  to 
extend  the  length  of  his  Ropewalk.  There  are  now  20  piers  of  360 
feet  from  the  Shore.  They  were  built  by  M""  Addison  Richardson, 
M"^  Kilham  who  built  the  stages  round  our  Spire  for  20J2,  took  down 
&  last  Saturday  put  up  the  Vane  at  Beverly  for  S£,  all  the  stuff  & 
help  being  found  for  him.  They  are  painting  the  Old  Meeting 
House  in  this  Town. 

7.     Several  axrivals.     Among  others  the  Vessel  called  the  Ketch 


162  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

belonging  to  M'  Derby  which  sailed  from  this  port   Dec^  23,  1794, 
&  has  accomplished  the  Voyage  to  Calcutta  in  9  months  &  ^. 

11.  Snnday.  Notes.  Daniel  Sage  &  Wife,  death  of  3  children, 
He  returned  from  Sea.  Sam^  Silsbee  &  Wife,  d.  of  3  grandchil- 
dren. 

12.  The  great  Brig.  Gen.  takes  in  dudgeon  the  reflections  cast 
in  the  last  Gazette  upon  the  Brigade  Major  elect.  This  timid  offi- 
cer has  been  either  frightened  from  his  j)0st,  or  his  less  efficient  son 
has  obliged  him  to  resign.  A  redoutable  Deacon  &  Captain  has 
taken  their  part,  &  in  full  vengeance  has  refused  the  Gazette  which 
has  made  the  mighty  stir.  The  advertisement  of  blank  resignations 
has  damped  the  military  ardour  in  this  place. 

15.  The  revolution  in  France  has  rendered  cheap  the  Clocks,  & 
the  Pictures  of  that  Nation.  And  the  cheapness  has  multiplied 
them  in  our  Country.  The  decimal  division  has  made  them  ready 
to  dispose  of  the  old  Clocks  of  12  hours,  &  several  fine  clocks  have 
been  an  easy  purchase  to  our  Seaman.  The  disposal  of  so  many 
estates  has  made  pictures  also  very  cheap.  Such  as  have  already 
arrived  have  had  some  good  pieces,  but  in  general  they  have  been 
ill  chosen.  Capt.  Carnes  carried  me  to  see  a  collection  made  by  his 
Brother  Charles.  There  were  two  fine  views  of  Vesuvius  &  of 
-^tna,  &  well  coloured.  They  exceeded  the  painting  in  the  Cham- 
ber at  Cambridge.  The  other  pieces  were  fancy  &  not  all  of  the 
most  chaste  character.  One  of  them  was  inscribed  Que  ni  est  si 
encore,  &  another,  il  dort.  A  few  on  silk  were  upon  the  revolution, 
fancy  pieces. 

16.  Extremely  difficult  to  break  the  old  custom  of  keeping  the 
dead  several  days.  The  Fever  which  has  prevailed  has  at  last  jus- 
tified the  caution  that  has  been  used  in  the  great  Cities  of  carrying 
away  the  dead  at  the  earliest  hour  which  could  be  convenient.  In 
New  York  it  is  done  by  a  Hearse,  &  some  such  practice  prevailed 
at  Philadelphia.  W^e  succeeded  in  one  instance  but  not  very 
quietly. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Malcolm  &  children,  d.  of 
Daughter  in  Law,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Sons  at  Sea.  Mary  Becket,  d. 
of  her  Sister,  pr.  Husb.  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Sarah  Hodges,  d.  of 
her  child,  pr.  Husb.  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Sarah  Kichardson,  d.  of 
her  daughter,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Sarah  Hunt,  praj-ers  for  her 
husband  dangerously  sick.  Stephen  Cloutman  &  W^ife,  delivery, 
Brethren  at  Sea.  Made  the  first  fire  in  the  Study  this  evening, 
glass  at  51°. 

20.  News  from  Watertown  that  M"  Dunlap  so  lately  arrived 
from  Ireland,  &  with  such  fine  prospects  &  hopes,  was  interred  yes- 
terday. This  is  the  second  breach  upon  this  family,  amidst  all 
their  hopes. 

22.  Moving  Welman's  Building  at  the  Corner  of  Derby  &  Crom- 
well Streets  to  enlarge  that  Street.     Nutting  &  Ingersoll  opposed 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  168 

upon  their  Lots,  in  hopes  of  making  more  money.  Reports  that 
some  of  our  Salem  Vessels  will  make  great  \'oyages  at  the  Isle  of 
France,  &  probably  in  the  East  Indies. 

23.  Busied  myself  to  provide  a  Catalogue  of  Coins  from  M'  Cur- 
win's  Collection  for  JNl""  Winthrop.  Such  Collections  are  rare  in 
this  Country,  &  in  some  parts  utterly  unknown.  This  is  the  larg- 
est that  I  have  ever  seen.  The  real  antiques  in  silver,  are  an  Athe- 
nian City,  a  Greek  City,  a  Consul,  Scipio,  Tuba,  Julius  Ctesar, 
Augustus,  Tiberius,  Claudius,  Adrian,  Marcus  Antoninus.  There 
are  a  considerable  number  of  Copper  &  Mantuans,  which  the  Con- 
noisseurs must  distinguish.  Among  the  modern  is  to  be  found  a 
MARYLAND  Coin,  CecUlus  C.  Ud  Baltimore.  A  Specimen  is  to 
be  seen  of  all  the  Modern  Coinage  in  this  Collection. 

25.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Andrew  &  children,  d.  of  a  Son. 
Susannah  Jeftiy,  d.  of  her  child,  Husb.  &  friends  at  Sea.  Lydia 
Masury,  child  sick,  Husb.  &  friends  at  Sea.  Thomas  Hunt  for  re- 
covery, Father  &  friends  at  Sea. 

26.  Another  Ketch  launched  by  M''  Derby  upon  the  model  of 
that  which  made  &  finished  the  Voyage  to  India  in  9  months. 
Built  by  M"^  Briggs. 

28.  Sent  &  purchased  at  Boston  a  Bass  Viol  for  21  dollars.  The 
fondness  for  Instrumental  music  in  Churches  so  increases,  that  the 
inclination  is  not  to  be  resisted.  I  have  applied  to  M''  Gardner  to 
assist  the  Counter  with  his  German  Flute. 

29.  Attended  the  Funeral  of  Ester  Lathe,*  a  poor  Stranger  from 
Woburn,  who  had  been  confined  as  delirious,  &  died  of  a  dysentery. 
She  was  collected  in  her  last  moments.  Four  Brothers  from  Wo- 
burn, &  her  Son  in  Law  Bruce  attended  her  Funeral. 

30.  Capt.  Forester,  a  rich  man  in  this  part  of  the  Town,  lost  his 
eldest  daughter  this  morning.  She  had  had  the  Fever  &  Sore 
Throat  so  prevalent  &  her  fate  was  determined  in  three  days. 
Supplied  with  a  specimen  of  the  gum  Laccat  by  Capt.  Hodges.  It 
is  yet  upon  the  branch  &  came  from  Pegu.  He  tells  me  that  he 
purchased  a  considerable  quantity  of  it,  but  could  not  dispose  of  it 
in  America  upon  any  Terms,  but  sent  it  to  Holland,  &  could 
get  no  information  of  its  value.  It  is  used  in  painting,  dying,  jap- 
anning, varnishing,  &  even  in  sealing  wax,  &  yet  the  use  of  it  is 
yet  a  Stranger  in  America.  Such  the  present  state  of  the  arts  in 
America. 

31.  There  is  a  purpose  at  Newbury  to  make  the  third  division 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  under  a  M"^  Bodily,  a  most  i)rejudiced 
man.  The  building  is  to  be  of  brick,  &  in  a  central  part  of  the 
Town.  His  adherents  are  numerous.  He  is  a  stranger  lately  ar- 
rived in  this  Country,  &  some  parts  of  his  domestic  character  are 
doubtful. 

•Esther  Richardson,  born  at  Woburn  in  1729,  married  Francis  Leathe. 
tLacqaer. 


164  DIARY   OF  [Nov. 

Nov.  1.  [1795]  Sunday.  Notes.  George  Bruce  &  Wife,  d.  of 
mother  Lathe.  (They  have  7  children.)  Eliz.  Thomas,  pr.  for 
child  very  sick. 

2.  The  Episcopalians  have  greater  force  in  Connecticut,  than  in 
any  part  of  New  England.  Since  the  promotion  of  D*"  Dwight  to 
be  President  of  Yale  College,  their  friends  have  given  out  some 
hints  that  the  College  ought  not  to  be  m  the  hands  of  the  Clergy, 
but  left  upon  a  more  generous  foundation.  They  claim  from  D"" 
Dwight's  liberality.  But  if  Oxford  and  Cambridge  had  shown  the 
least  liberality  in  this  respect,  these  ecc.  rulers  would  shew  better 
claims  for  a  revolution.  If  any  thing  short  of  liberty  to  establish 
their  own  sect  had  ever  appeared  to  please  them,  &  any  truly  gen- 
erous design  had  been  proposed,  they  would  have  the  highest  claims 
upon  every  man  employed  to  promote  truth  in  the  world.  They 
have  in  this  State  complained  of  the  Interference  of  our  Fast  & 
Thanksgivings  with  their  Days.  In  Connecticut  they  have  put 
their  Thanksgiving  on  the  day  before  Christmass.  This  must 
offend,  because  it  hides  their  own  splendid  festival,  &  takes  the 
spell  from  the  vulgar. 

3.  The  West  Indies  are  odious  to  our  Sailors  from  the  great 
sickness  which  has  prevailed.  Sailors  can  be  obtained  for  the  East 
Indies,  where  our  men  have  suffered  very  little.  Almost  beyond 
belief  they  have  been  preserved.  Besides,  at  this  time,  the  sound  of 
Adjudication  strikes  terrour  into  our  Merchants,  as  well  as  mariners. 

4.  At  Capt.  Allen's  saw  a  Scotch  Man,  lately  arrived,  very  ig- 
norant of  the  Arts  as  he  came  from  Galloway,  at  Stranrawr.  He 
has  some  notions  of  the  Kirk,  but  very  indistinct.  He  had  been  in 
the  Isle  of  Man,  in  Ireland,  &  as  far  north  as  Skie. 

5.  The  fifth  of  November.  Not  all  the  revolutions  which  have 
passed  over  our  Country  can  yet  efface  the  remembrance  of  this  an- 
niversary. The  boys  must  have  their  bon  fire.  But  the  light  of  it 
is  going  out.  We  have  little  concern  in  powder  plots  of  Kings  at 
this  day.  The  Town  of  Boston  have  determined  not  to  disturb  any 
ground  in  the  antient  Burying  places.  For  a  long  time  these  grounds 
have  been  crowded,  &  it  was  impossible  to  observe  decency  in  the 
opening  of  graves.  The  Charge  is  just  in  a  great  degree  against  the 
old  ground  in  this  Town,  but  the  objections  have  not  yet  become 
serious. 

7.  Great  changes  are  making  in  the  roads  in  the  eastern  parts  of 
this  Town.  Cromwell  Street  is  much  enlarged.  English  Street  is 
entirely  changed.  It  has  been  talked  of  to  continue  Derby  Street 
towards  the  water  rather  than  in  the  direct  line  of  the  road,  from 
the  nature  of  the  soil. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Crowninshield,  dang.  sick.  Mar- 
tha Babbidge,  d.  of  her  g.  Son,  &  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Andrew 
Ward  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  youngest  child,  &  p.  for  Br.  &  fr.  at  Sea. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  165 

William  Burrill  &  Wife,  d.  of  eldest  child,  &  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea. 
Sarah  Evoy  &  children,  d.  of  her  husband  abroad. 

9.  The  ordination  attempted  at  Wilmington  in  June  last  has  at 
length  succeeded.  The  party  for  M""  Reynolds  chose  a  new  Council 
from  which  they  ejected  all  the  former  majority,  &  in  their  stead, 
chose  the  three  following  gentlemen  known  to  be  of  their  principles, 
M''  Emmons,  of  Franklin,  M""  Niles,  of  Abington,  &  M''  Spring,  of 
Newbury  Port.  The  Council  heard  the  parties,  &  the  result  on  the 
next  day  was  ordination.  The  Clergy  are  now  so  divided  into  Sects 
that  they  balance  themselves,  &  must  soon  loose  at  least  all  danger- 
ous importance  in  the  Commonwealth.  They  may  lose  all  their  in- 
fluence. 

10.  The  Supreme  Court  in  Town.  The  Court  did  not  open  till 
the  afternoon  &  then  they  could  hardly  get  a  Jury,  from  various  ex- 
cuses. The  charge  from  Judge  Dana  was  full  upon  all  the  Sub- 
jects which  would  come  before  the  Jury,  &  particularly  explicit 
upon  the  Subject  of  Treason  against  the  State,  &  the  nature  of 
riots,  which  he  deprecated  as  in  every  respect  unfriendly  to  the 
liberty  &  existence  of  Society.  He  gave  clear  ideas  of  Homicide  iu 
its  various  senses,  &  applied  them  to  the  supposed  case  which  would 
be  before  the  Jury.  He  did  the  same  of  Arseuy,  or  Burning 
Houses,  buildings,  which  he  applied  to  the  possible  case  of  the  un- 
happy boy  of  this  Town. 

12.  This  day  came  on  the  trial  of  H.  Blackburne,  the  Chimney 
Sweeper,  for  the  Murder  of  G.  Wilkin gson,  Aug.  15.  The  woman 
&  companion  of  George  deposed  that  H.  asked  for  money,  but  no 
quarrel  ensued.  That  they  were  repeatedly  desirous  to  go  home, 
but  that  H.  said  he  had  fastened  the  door.  That  she  saw  H.  blow 
the  light  out.  That  H.  threatened  with  death  any  person  who 
should  enter,  &c.  M''*  Parker  living  below  was  awakened  by  the 
groans,  &  after  some  time  went  up  to  light  her  candle,  returning 
in  the  entry  she  was  told  by  the  woman  what  was  the  matter.  She 
declared  that  she  heard  the  threats,  &  that  she  alarmed  the  neigh- 
bours, &  assisted  to  get  G.  on  the  bed,  as  he  had  laid  on  the  floor 
from  after  10  till  3  in  the  morning.  The  evidence  was  clear,  con- 
sistent, &  corroborative.  Three  deposed  that  H.  pretended  no 
wound,  till  two  hours  after  sunrise.  The  deposition  of  the  deceased, 
was  that  there  was  no  quarrel.  Sullivan  was  State's  Attorney  & 
Andrews  &  Dane  for  the  Prisoner.  The  Case  was  delivered  to 
the  Jury  at  5  P.  M.  &  the  Court  adjourned  till  six.  Before  seven 
the  Verdict  was  given,  guilty  of  Murder. 

13.  Last  evening  a  crowd  attended  the  Trial  of  Blackburne. 
The  crowd  became  impatient,  &  a  young  fellow  mounted  the  Stove, 
which  hid  the  view  from  the  Back  standers.  The  young  fellow, 
lately  of  some  consequence,  began  to  display  some  ignorant  imper- 
tance  to  the  officer,  who  had  repeatedly  ordered  him  to  come  down. 
The  Court  then  took  up  the    matter,    gave   a   commitment.     The 


166  DIARY    OF  [Nov. 

young  man  lay  all  night  in  Goal,  &  was  dismissed  this  morning, 
upon  asking  pardon  in  open  Court  &  without  paying  Goal  Fees. 
Such  examples  have  a  happy  effect  upon  licentious  fellows. 

14.  The  business  of  our  Lodge  cannot  be  transacted  without 
the  narrow  prejudices  of  private  life.  A  most  affecting  proof  that 
the  success  of  liberal  institutions  must  be  secured  by  the  principles 
of  good  education,  or  the  passions  will  surmount  all  their  obliga- 
tions.    I  think  that  I  shall  attend  no  more. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Peele  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Sister, 
pr.  for  their  Son  &  friends  at  Sea.  Sarah  Silver,  d.  of  her  daughter, 
pr.  for  G.  Son  at  Sea.  Mary  Martin,  d.  of  her  youngest  child. 
Husb.  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  William  Becket,  thanks  for  his  return 
from  Sea,  pr.  on  d.  of  his  wife  while  absent,  &  pr.  for  brethren  at 
Sea.  Lydia  Masury,  d.  of  her  youngest  child,  pr.  for  husband  & 
friends  at  Sea. 

16.  This  afternoon  Henry  Blackburne  was  brought  out  to 
receive  sentence  of  death.  This  was  the  first  time  on  which 
I  ever  saw  such  a  thing  done.  The  State's  Attorney  recited  the 
case,  &  in  behalf  of  the  Commonwealth  begged  sentence  against  the 
Prisoner.  .Judge  Dana  then  asked  the  prisoner  if  he  had  more  to 
say.  He  began  to  run  on  about  the  evidence,  that  the  woman 
was  a  bad  woman,  &  that  he  had  no  intentions  of  murder.  The 
Judge  told  him  that  his  liberty  was  to  declare  if  he  had  any  point 
of  Law  in  his  favour,  &  then  proceeded,  after  expressing  horrour  at 
his  Crime,  &  exhorting  him  to  repentance,  &  telling  him  that  hu- 
man tribunals  might  err,  but  God  before  whom  he  was  to  appear 
could  not  err.  He  pronounced  sentence  of  death  in  the  usual 
form.  The  Judge  was  much  affected,  &  hardly  able  to  deliver 
himself.  For  the  first  time  the  Prisoner  was  moved,  he  smote  his 
breast  &  shed  abundance  of  tears. 

21.  The  Thanksgivings  of  New  England  progress  Southward. 
Governour  Jay  has  appointed  a  Thanksgiving  in  New  York  on  the 
26  instant.  It  is  remarked  that  his  recommendation  discovers  a 
timidity  in  an  experiment  which  he  did  not  know  that  he  was  au- 
thorized to  make. 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Diamond  Preston  &  Wife,  pr.  her 
delivery,  &  Brethi-en  at  Sea. 

23.  Webster,  the  famous  Lecturer  on  the  English  Language,  has 
desired  all  proper  communications  on  the  subject  of  the  late  Fever. 
He  has  from  various  quarters  had  no  small  share  of  irony  bestowed 
upon  him.  A  hint  has  been  given  of  his  Lectures,  &  the  amphibi- 
ous nature  of  the  language. 

24.  The  Town  of  Stoneham  after  all  the  vileness  ag.  Rev^  Cleve- 
land have  united  and  settled  a  Stephens.  So  that  our  predictions 
are  not  always  safe. 

25.  This  day  was  honoured  by  the  Ropemakers  by  displaying 
flags  of  all  nations  upon  their  Rope  walks,  &  by  a  jolly  Supper  in 


1795]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  167 

the  evening.  To  day  laid  the  phxu  for  introducing  a  German  Flute 
into  the  meeting  liouse. 

27.  Ice  in  tlie  I'ond  on  the  Connnon  sufficient  to  bear  the  boys 
for  the  first  time.  The  air  uncommonly  serene.  The  Ocean  in 
most  perfect  Calm.  Not  any  motion  around  the  Shore,  l^ut  the  pre- 
dictions of  hard  winters  endless.  In  the  Almanacs,  in  the  Gazettes, 
in  Two  penny  pamphlets,  from  the  public,  &,  Woe  Trumpets  ex- 
pected from  some  wise  men. 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jose])h  Hosmer  &  Wife,  d.  of  Eldest 
daughter,  &  pr.  for  other  d.  sick,  &  for  her  brethren  at  Sea.  Han- 
nah Webb,  d.  of  her  g.  child  .S:  pr.  for  son  at  Sea.  Hannah  Keen, 
d.  of  her  husband  &  pr.  for  Sous  at  Sea.  James  Chever  &  Wife, 
delivery,  pi-,  for  friends  at  Sea. 

Dec.  1.  [ITDo]  Capt.  Hosmer  has  lost  his  other  daughter,  yet  it 
is  not  at  present  a  sickly  time.  Wood  rises  to  a  high  price  even  in 
moderate  weather.  Flour  keeps  its  price  up,  but  provisions  of  the 
market  are  plentiful  indeed. 

G.  Sunday.  Notes.  Elizabeth  King,  delivery,  Husband  & 
Brother  at  Sea.  Disagreeable  reports  that  Capt.  D.  Martin  is  very 
sick  at  Petite  Gonaive,  &  that  he  has  lost  his  mate,  a  son  of  the 
Widow  Hannah  Webb. 

7.  Left  Salem  to  visit  Andover,  where  my  friend  General  Fiske 
is  confined.  Found  the  guide  posts  upon  the  road  a  great  assistance 
among  the  cross  roads.  I  took  the  route  of  Topsfield  in  preference 
to  ]\liddleton,  tho'  three  miles  further,  being  21  miles  from  the 
Town  House  Salem  to  North  Meeting  H.  Andover.  Found  M' 
Kimball,*  the  celebrated  Musician,  at  his  father's.  It  is  his  purpose 
to  establish  himself  in  the  Law  in  Maine.  Arrived  at  M""  Isaac 
Parker's  &  there  lodged. 

8.  Visited  Gen.  Fiske's  at  Deleway's  upon  the  Farm  formerly 
belonging  to  the  Lpc's,  one  mile  south  of  the  north  Meeting  House. 
I  found  him  totally  regardless  of  home,  &  in  all  the  flighty 
schemes  of  a  very  bewildered  imagination.  I  dined  with  I),  Kitte- 
ridge  &  as  it  was  exceedingly  stormy,  the  wind  very  high,  &  the 
rain  in  Torrents,  I  continiied  at  his  house  till  morning. 

9.  Breakfasted  with  Col.  Lovejoy,  &  took  leave  about  eleven 
&  returned  by  Topsfield  to  Salem.  M'^  Kimball  gave  me 
some  encouragement  that  he  would  visit  me,  &  spend  one  evening 
with  my  singers.  Find  upon  my  return  that  40  fathom  of  Vincent's 
Ropewalk  was  blown  down  by  the  wind  yesterday,  &  an  old  Barn 
belonging  to  Dean  in  Daniels  Street. 

10.  We  find  that  in  Tuesday's  Storm  a  Brig  from  Halifax  drove 
ashore  at  6  in  the  evening  upon  Nahant  Beacb,  &  all  but  one  per- 
ished. She  had  fish  in  bulk  on  board,  &  passengers.  11  persons 
perished.  Some  of  the  fish  may  be  saved,  but  the  vessel  stove  to 
pieces.     Fire  Club  this  evening,  &  the  Annual  Supper. 

*  Jacob  KiuibaU  of  Topsfield,  author  of  Rural  Harmony,  Essex  Harmony,  etc. 


168  DIARY  OF  [Dec. 

11.  Yesterday  afternoon  died  M"^  Isaac  White  of  Boston,  Father 
to  a  Gentleman  of  the  same  name  in  our  Society.  He  was  a  man 
of  industry,  &  had  acquired  a  handsome  property  by  Tallow  Chand- 
lery. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Webb,  d.  of  her  Son,  &  g.  chil- 
dren &  friends  at  Sea.  Joseph  Hosmer  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  children 
&  her  Brother.  Samuel  Ropes  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  mother,  &  pr.  for 
friends  at  Sea.  Seeth  Ropes,  d.  of  H's  mother,  &  pr.  for  Husband  & 
Br.  at  Sea.  Lydia  Odell  &  children,  d.  of  daughter  &  pr.  for  friends 
at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Perkins,  prayer  for  herself  dang,  sick  (Husband 
a  vagabond,  &  3  children  helpless). 

15.  Our  Friend  Vincent  in  eager  pursuit,  has  at  last  obtained  a 
M'^  Groce's  Consent  to  live  with  him,  &  was  published  last  Sunday. 
This  woman  is  to  take  the  place  of  a  fine  woman. 

19.  Blanchard  made  an  attempt  with  one  of  his  Balloons  this 
afternoon  at  three  o'clock.  It  was  clear  weather  &  a  little  wind  to 
the  northward.  The  Balloon  ascended  &  continued  at  the  same 
height  for  a  long  time  &  at  last  fell  beyond  Long  Point  into  the 
water.  The  Parachute  with  the  animals  fell  while  it  was  at  its 
greatest  height  just  beginning  to  fall. 

20.  Sunday.  Notes.  Margaret  Curtis,  d.  of  her  Sister  Wardil- 
loe.  Robert  Richardson,  d.  of  his  Mother  in  Law  Wardilloe.  Sarah 
Evoy,  d.  of  G.  Mother.  Hannah  Mac,  d.  of  her  only  child,  pr.  for 
husband  at  Sea.  Thomas  Diman,  dang.  sick.  Samuel  Archer,  Wife's 
delivery. 

22.  Master  Lang  has  lost  another  daughter.  He  buried  one  last 
Sunday  evening.  This  makes  the  third  daughter,  &  the  fourth 
child,  including  a  Son  who  foundered  at  Sea,  which  have  been  lost 
to  him  within  two  years.  Uncle  Diman  died  last  night.  He  was 
the  oldest  man  of  our  church.  In  the  close  of  life,  being  poor,  feeble 
&  of  moderate  abilities,  he  became  intemperate,  not  having  the  best 
care  taken  of  him.  By  falling  into  the  fire  he  hastened  that  death 
which  was  before  fast  approaching. 

23.  This  day  died  M"  Gardner,  wife  of  Jonathan,  a  most  worthy 
woman.  She  had  great  self  command  in  the  hour  of  death,  & 
resigned  life  with  great  hope. 

25.  Report  of  the  Death  of  Master  Moody,  a  long  time  the  Pre- 
ceptor of  Dummer  Academy.  He  died  suddenly,  we  are  told,  at 
Exeter.  He  was  away  from  his  home  at  York  in  one  of  his  deranged 
frames. 

26.  Gen.  Fiske  escaped  from  Ropes,  who  attended  upon  him  to 
Andover  &  occasioned  great  anxiety.  He  was  found  next  day  at 
Boxford.  We  have  news  of  the  death  of  M''  Newliall,  whose  wife 
died  last  week,  &  of  Capt.  Martin*  &  all  his  Crew  at  Hispaniola. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Ropes,  d.  of  her  daughter,  pr.  Hus- 
band &  Friends  at  Sea.     William  Browne,  one  of  his  G.  Children, 

•Capt.  David  Martin,  of  Ipswich,  wlio  married  Mary,  sister  of  Nathaniel  Bowditch. 


1795]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    1>.  169 

pr.  Sons  &  Friends  at  Sea.  Mary  Crookshanks,  repeated  loss  in 
another  daughter,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Thomas,  d.  of  her 
Niece  Lydia  Newhall.  Amos  Smith  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Feather  Dy- 
man.  Hannah  Ward,  pr.  for  her  dangerously  sick.  John  Fair- 
field &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Sister  Gardner  &  her  child. 

28.  Attended  as  Pall  Holder  to  M""  Joseph  Prince,  who  lately 
preached  for  me,  &  Avas  a  Candidate  for  the  Ministry.  He  died  of 
the  Putrid  Fever  &  Ulcerated  Throat  after  a  very  short  illness.  The 
Pall  was  supported  by  Rev*^  Story,  Prince,  McKeen,  Bentley,  Hub- 
bard, &  Harris.     M''  Story  prayed  at  the  House. 

29.  There  have  been  uncommonly  few  arrivals  for  several  weeks 
past,  which  obliges  us  to  be  anxious  for  some  of  our  friends  as 
missing  Vessels.  The  good  old  Parson  Harrington,  past  80,  who 
for  many  years  made  us  an  annual  visit,  is  no  more.  His  Speech 
failed  him  &  he  had  a  distressing  illness. 

Jan.  1,  1796.  Funeral  of  Madam  Lambert,*  set.  90  next  May. 
She  was  a  woman  of  an  inoffensive  character,  &  good  constitution. 
She  was  a  Williams  &  connected  with  the  family  of  the  Hodges,  & 
by  her  children  with  a  great  part  of  the  Town.  Her  descendants 
who  were  living  at  her  decease  were  5  children,  26  grand  children  & 
60  great  grand  children,  besides  21  persons  allied  to  her  posterity 
by  marriages.  She  was  infirm  in  old  age,  but  not  so  feeble  in  her 
animal  as  her  rational  faculties,  which  had  sunk  into  a  second  child- 
hood. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Sarah  Underwood,  d.  of  her  Mother 
Lambert,  pr.  2  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Mary  White,  d.  of  her  M.  Lam- 
bert. Andrew  Preston  &  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of  Mother  Lambert, 
&  pr.  for  friends  absent.  Wid.  Elizabeth  Phillips  &  Daughter,  d.  of 
of  her  ^Mother  Lambert,  &  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Isaac  WTiite  &  Wife, 
d.  of  his  Father,  &  th.  for  recovery  of  eldest  Son.  Benj*  Gardiner 
&  Wife,  d.  of  their  child.  Andrew  Ward  &  Wife  &  Brother  &  Sis- 
ter, d.  of  their  Sister,  &  pr.  for  a  Brother  at  Sea. 

4.  The  weather  open  like  Summer.  The  ways  good  &  dry.  No 
sign  of  snow  or  ice  upon  the  hills  or  the  shore. 

6.  Had  the  Singers  at  my  House.  The  other  Societies  have 
come  uuder  the  instructions  of  M''  Law.  We  alone  are  apart.  The 
old  Singers  are  more  fond  of  patronising  us  in  our  present  situation. 
It  appears  that  M''®  Lambert's  posterity  if  all  alive  would  have  been 
132  descendants,  &  31  related  by  marriage.  As  6  children,  23 
grand  children,  &  12  great  g.  children  have  deceased  besides  10  per- 
sons married  into  the  Family. 

7.  Last  night  in  the  Storm  at  2  o'clock,  came  ashore  the  Ship 
Mass.,  250  Tons,  90  days  from  Amsterdam,  upon  the  reef  of  the 
Eastern  Gooseberry.  The  Captain  &  3  Hands  perished.  7  persons 
were  saved.  They  were  seen  first  at  Beverly,  &  also  in  the  morn- 
ing &i  had  instant  assistance  from  Beverly  &  Marblehead.     The  men 

'Mary,  widow  of  CapC.  Joseph. 


170  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

who  escaped  reached  the  Gooseberry  head.     This  Ship  belonged  to 
Boston,  Mackay,  Commander.     It  is  attributed  to  imprudence. 

9.  Last  night  an  unfortunate  accident  happened.  As  Marston  & 
Kilham  went  to  point  of  Rocks  to  attend  their  boat  at  6  o'clock,  it 
being  very  dark,  by  some  accident  they  fell  into  the  water.  Mars- 
ton  was  found  lashed  to  a  rope  from  his  Boat,  next  day.  They 
were  heard  to  cry  for  help  by  a  Negro,  who  was  Ship  keeper  in  the 
harbour  &  had  no  boat  from  6  till  half  past  7.  Both  were  drowned. 
These  men  continued  in  the  business  of  Boat  fishing,  &  probably 
fell  from  the  wherry  which  they  were  entering  to  come  on  shore. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  HabbakkukBowditch,d.  of  his  Son  Mar- 
tin, pr.  Sons  at  Sea,  th.  for  recovery  of  his  Daughter  &  g.  daughter. 
Mary  Martin,  d.  of  her  husband,  rec.  of  her  child  &  sister  in  her 
family,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Sarah  Silver  &  children,  d.  of  her 
daughter,  &  for  g.  son  absent.  Mary  Ropes,  pr.  for  eldest  daugh- 
ter, &  for  Husband  &  Friends  at  Sea.  Sarah  Kehoe,  delivery,  Hus- 
band &  friends  at  Sea. 

12.  We  find  by  the  Arrival  of  Capt.  Edward  Allen  jun'  who 
came  passenger  with  Capt.  Butles  Ward,*  in  a  vessel  belonging  to 
Capt.  Waters,  that  they  ran  upon  the  Misery  last  evening  about 
eight  o'clock,  &  all  escaped  to  the  Island  with  the  total  loss  of  the 
Ship  &  Property. 

13.  We  have  the  news  that  another  Ship  was  lost  off  Cape  Ann 
on  Monday  evening.  Every  Soul  has  perished.  She  belonged  to 
Boston  it  is  said.  Capt.  Barnes,  Ship  Industry,  from  Portsmouth, 
England. 

14.  This  day  Henry  Blackburn  was  executed  upon  the  Neck  for 
the  Murder  of  George  Wilkinson.  He  was  cloathed  in  a  white 
frock,  &  was  conducted  to  Church  at  11  A.  M.  &  at  two  conducted  to 
the  Gallows  by  a  guard  of  the  Militia.  He  behaved,  from  some  cause 
or  other,  with  his  usual  insensibility,  but  not  with  indecen}'.  The 
Rope  broke,  but  he  was  senseless.  He  was  soon  hoisted  again. 
From  indispensable  necessity,  began  the  use  of  WINE  with  my 
food,  not  having  heretofore  used  it  through  life. 

15.  Reports  of  a  Vessel  ashore  at  Plum  Island.  Several  of  our 
Vessels  have  been  near,  &  have  not  yet  arrived.  A  time  of  general 
anxiety.  This  proves  to  be  a  Vessel  spoken  with  from  England  by 
Barnes  in  the  Industry. 

17.  Sunday.  No  notes  through  the  whole  day,  an  unusual  cir- 
cumstance of  late.  Dined  with  the  new  M''^  Vincents,  with  great 
happiness. 

18.  This  day  M""  Melee,  who  has  lived  in  this  Town  above  three 
years,  &  the  greater  part  of  the  time  with  us,  sailed  in  the  Sch. 
Betsey,  Townsend,  for  Martinico. 

19.  Capt.  Barnes,  mate,  &  some  of  the  Crew,  have  been  found,  & 
decently  interred  at  Cape  Ann.     We  are  apprehensive  for  some  of 

•Capt.  Ebenezer  Buttolph  Ward. 


1796]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  171 

our  Vessels  which  have  been  seen  some  time  since  on  the  coast,  & 
have  not  yet  arrived.  Capt.  G.  Smith  writes  word  that  the  adven- 
ture of  Mr.  Newhall,  who  lately  died  in  his  vessel  &  whose  wife 
also  died  at  home,  has  been  taken  away  by  a  Spaniard.  So  the 
poor  child  is  left  destitute  indeed. 

20.  The  Snow  Storm  which  began  on  Tuesday  night  has  con- 
tinued through  the  Succeeding  Day  &  all  last  night  without  inter- 
mission, or  cessation.  It  is  now  snowing  at  N.  W.,  &  many  of  our 
Vessels  are  known  to  he  on  the  coast  &  several  are  expected  at  this 
Port.  A  Vessel  arrived  this  morning,  which  touched  upon  the 
Outer  Breakers,  &  j  ust  escaped  by  seeing  half  way  Rock,  &  entered 
between  the  Gooseberries  &  Satan. 

22.  Left  Salem  in  company  with  M""  Putnam,  the  Misses  Fiskes 
&  Miss  Gerry,  to  go  to  Andover  to  see  Gen.  Fiske.  In  the  last 
Snow  Storm  a  very  large  body  of  Snow  had  fallen,  &  the  roads 
were  not  thoroughly  broken.  We  also  were  caught  in  the  Snow 
Storm  of  this  day  which  lasted  several  hours.  We  left  Salem  at  10 
&  found  the  road  tolerable  as  far  as  Eastie's  in  Middleton,  with 
whom  we  stopped  &  dined.  We  left  his  house  after  dinner  & 
reached  Stevens  at  Andover  at  2  o'clock.  We  then  passed  in  a 
single  Slay,  M'  Putnam  &  myself,  to  Deleway's,  where  the  General 
is  kept.  We  paid  our  respects  to  M""  Isaac  Parker,  &  Col.  Lovejoy'a 
as  we  passed,  &  took  the  Col.  with  us  to  the  General.  M""  Putnam 
did  not  see  the  General,  who  was  in  a  very  ill  mood  at  this  time. 
We  returned  &  supped  at  Stevens'  &  left  his  house  about  six 
o'clock,  &  reached  Salem  before  10  o'clock.  The  length  of  the 
Storm  expedited  our  travelling  as  few  teams  had  as  yet  turned  out 
&  few  were  upon  the  road. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  W™  Browne  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  G.  child 
Ropes,  &  pr.  for  Sons  &  friends  at  Sea.  Mary  Ropes,  repeated 
stroke  in  d.  of  eldest  daughter,  pr.  for  Husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 
Nathaniel  Phippen  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  youngest  Brother,  pr.  for  Son 
at  Sea. 

25.  Just  before  6  o'clock  a  melancholy  accident  happened  at  the 
corner  of  Daniel's  Street,  occasioned  by  a  building  removing  towards 
Derby  Street  from  Essex  Street.  M''  N.  Richardson  upon  turning 
the  corner  took  the  charge  of  his  own  Oxen,  &  as  the  building  slid 
towards  the  fence,  the  Shoe  caught  his  Great  Coat,  &  before  it 
could  be  known,  he  was  thrown  down,  &  his  head  passed  between 
an  open  joice  of  the  Building  &  some  timber  piled  against  the  fence, 
&  it  was  instant  death.  The  Timber  was  covered  with  snow,  so  that 
he  could  not  know  that  the  timber  was  there,  set,  54.  The  body 
received  no  injury  but  upon  the  left  side  of  the  neck  where  the 
wound  was  deep  &  extended  over  the  whole  left  side.  He  was  a 
man  of  indefatigable  industry.  His  Tan  yard  was  the  largest  in  the 
County,  &  he  has  four  Vessels  at  Sea.  He  has  left  an  amiable  wife, 
&  six  children  to  lament  his  sudden  death,  &  the  public  are  de- 


172  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

prived  of  a  wealthy  Citizen  &  an  uncommon  example  of  attention  to 
business,  &  of  sacred  punctuality. 

31.  Sunday.  Notes.  Eunice  Richardson  &  family,  sudden  death 
of  M""  N.  Richardson,  her  husband,  &  for  a  Son  at  Sea. 

Feb.  5.  [1796]  This  day  was  buried  M''  John  Symonds,  a 
Batchelor,  from  his  House  near  the  ferry.  With  the  loss  of  this 
man  the  appearance  of  the  last  &  the  beginning  of  this  Century  is 
lost.  His  father  died  a  few  years  since  at  100,  &  John  died  at  74. 
The  children  all  lived  in  single  life  till  they  were  advanced,  & 
only  one  ever  entered  into  married  life  &  she  after  70.  The  win- 
dows of  this  house  are  of  the  small  glass  with  lead  in  diamonds  & 
open  upon  hinges.  The  Doors  open  with  wooden  latches.  The 
Chairs  are  the  upright  high  arm  chairs,  &  the  common  chairs  are 
the  short  backed.  The  tables  small  &  oval,  the  chest  of  drawers  with 
knobs,  &  short  swelled  legs.  The  large  fire  places,  &  the  iron  for 
the  lamp.  The  blocks  of  wood  in  the  corner.  The  Press  for  pew- 
ter plates  with  round  holes  over  the  door  of  it.  Large  stones 
rolled  before  the  door  for  steps.  Old  Dutch  maps  &  map  mondes 
highly  coloured  above  a  Century  old.  The  Beds  very  low,  &  the 
curtains  hung  upon  the  walls.  The  woolen  caps  worn  by  the  men, 
&  the  small  linen  caps  tied  under  the  Chin  by  the  women. 

6.  Aunt  Mercy  Smith  buried  from  the  Charity  House,  &  a  child 
belonging  to  strangers  was  carried  in  a  Chaise  behind. 

7.  Sunday.  Elizabeth  Symonds,  d.  of  her  Brother.  Molly 
Foster,  d.  of  her  Husband,  with  her  Mother  &  Sister,  pr.  for  her 
Brother  at  Sea.  Wid.  Mary  Bates  dangerously  sick.  Stephen 
Webb  &  Family  for  him  under  great  infirmities  &  for  his  g.  daugh- 
ter dang.  sick. 

8.  I  renewed  the  reflections  of  last  Friday,  by  a  visit  to  the 
Surviving  Sister  of  John  Symonds.  I  grieved  to  see  the  connection 
between  the  last&  the  present  century  so  entirely  lost.  There  is 
something  agreeable,  if  not  great,  in  the  primitive  manners.  So 
much  pleasure  &  peace  at  home,  while  the  great  world  is  scarcely 
known.  These  things  charm  upon  the  small  scale,  &  when  we  see 
society  only  in  its  first  stages.  I  would  purchase  all  the  furniture  of 
the  house  could  I  dispose  of  it  with  convenience  in  some  place.  There 
are  proper  materials  for  a  Cabinet.  From  the  Spoon  to  the  broad 
platter,  from  the  Shoe  to  the  whole  of  the  Wardrobe,  from  the  chair 
to  the  bed.  Everything  in  its  own  likeness,  &  away,  far  away  from 
present  fashion. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  Stephen  Webb  &  Children,  d.  of  his  g. 
daughter  Welcome  in  his  family  &  pr.  for  the  surviving  orphans  of 
the  same  family,  sons  at  Sea.  Lydia  Smith,  her  delivery,  Husband 
at  Sea.     Sarah  Beckford,  her  delivery,  Husband  at  Sea. 

17.  M*"  Burford,  an  English  gentlemen  lately  arrived  in  Town, 
dined  with  me  in  company  with  D'"  Little.  It  was  from  this  gentle- 
man's information  we  had  our  prejudices  against  Duff  the  Irish 
Minister. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLBT,   D.   D.  173 

18.  A  young  Company  under  the  firm,  Smith  &  Flinn,  was 
obliged  in  this  Town  to  shut  uj),  to  the  great  loss  of  their  Creditors, 
considering  their  stock.  The  deficiency  is  now  reckoned  at  10,000 
dollars  &  the  whole  stock  at  double  that  sum.  They  did  not  be- 
long to  the  Town,  &  have  been  here  but  a  few  years.  Smith  is 
Son  of  Rev.  Smith  of  Middleton  deceased,  &  Flinn's  mother  lives 
in  Boston. 

19.  We  had  news  that  Harthorne,  so  long  upon  our  Coast,  &  re- 
specting whom  we  had  so  great  apprehensions,  has  safely  reached 
Norfolk  in  Vu-ginia      Capt.  Allen  has  a  Son  on  board. 

22.  This  day  was  the  celebration  of  the  birth  of  Gen.  Washing- 
ton. The  Vessels  hoisted  their  Colours,  the  Fort,  &  all  the  Work- 
houses which  had  proper  poles.  The  Seamen  in  jolly  sort  went  up 
&  down  the  streets  with  Flags,  Drums,  fifes,  &  the  Boatswains 
calls,  accompanied  with  crowds  of  children.  The  Militia  dined  at 
Frye,  at  the  Lion,  &  the  Marine  Society,  &  private  gentlemen  at 
the  Public  Houses.  As  it  snowed  all  day  much  was  not  to  be  seen 
in  the  Streets,  but  the  countenances  all  appeared  happy. 

23.  Gave  the  Gazette  an  extract  from  my  visit  to  the  Shakers. 
It  is  possible  that  I  conceived  too  highly  of  their  present  situation, 
it  is  so  far  advanced  above  their  former  state.  But  the  progress  of 
a  society  must  be  rapid  that  in  a  few  years  can  accomplish  a  settle- 
ment at  their  ease  out  of  the  most  disorderly  enthusiasm. 

24.  Every  attempt  to  force  upon  the  public  notice  the  celebra- 
tions of  the  birth  of  Gen.  W^ashingtou.  The  Colleges  at  Cambridge 
were  illuminated  with  above  3,000  candles.  The  Federal  party,  as 
they  call  themselves,  are  determined  to  unite  in  Judge  Sumner  in 
their  votes  for  Governour. 

28.  Sunday.  A  fine  Summer's  Day  but  wet  walking.  Notes. 
Clifford  Byrne  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Sister  Walker.  Priscilla  Lambert, 
d.  of  her  youngest  child  at  Saco,  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 

29.  A  Lottery  has  been  granted  for  the  repairs  on  the  road 
from  Ipswich  &  Manchester  to  Gloucester.  Both  are  intolerably 
bad,  &  that  to  Ipswich  perhaps  the  worst,  but  that  which  we  travel 
from  Salem  is  bad  enough.  A  few  years  since  the  Town  made  some 
exertions  to  mend  the  road  as  it  approaches  the  harbour,  &  by 
throwing  up  dirt  upon  the  Rocks  succeeded  beyond  expectation. 
There  still  remained  the  road  below  Kettle  Island  cove,  &  the  Hills, 
which  were  steep,  rough,  narrow,  winding,  &  sharp  so  as  to  sur- 
round the  traveller  with  every  danger  at  the  same  time.  Talk  has 
been  made  on  the  subject  of  carrying  the  road  round  Break  neck 
hill,  but  the  matter  is  now  seriously  undertaken  by  a  Lottery. 

Mar.  1.  [1796]  M"  Rogers*  opened  again  her  School  for  young 
Misses.  Her  success  in  the  public  opinion  was  so  great,  that  with 
difficulty  she  could  close  the  School  last  spring,  pleading  her  health, 
but  rather  inclining  to  follow  her  husband's  inclinations  in  a  Shop. 

*Mn.  Abigail  (Dodge),  vrile  of  NaUianiel  Rogers. 


1Y4  DIART  OF  [March 

The  experiment  from  various  causes  has  not  succeeded,  &  this  day 
we  saw  the  little  flocks  going  up.  M''^  Eogers  has  advanced  her 
price  upon  the  kind  opinion. 

2.  A  Letter  arrived  from  Capt.  John  Gibaut  who  was  at  Bom- 
bay, 17  Aug.  after  a  Passage  of  above  160  days.  His  vessel  a  bad 
Sailor  because  too  deep.  No  prospects  at  present  of  a  very  good 
voyage.  The  young  man  bar  keeper  at  the  Sun  complains  of  hav- 
ing lost  this  week  by  some  thief  several  hundred  dollars. 

3.  M''^  Allen  had  direct  information  that  her  Son  was  living  & 
with  Hawthorne  at  Norfolk.  They  have  lost  six  out  of  their  num- 
ber &  have  been  repeatedly  driven  off  this  coast. 

4.  The  Tanning  Business  which  was  lately  extremely  lucrative, 
has  by  the  number  of  hands  engaged  in  it,  become  dull,  so  that  a 
new  Tan  Yard  is  now  for  Sale,  or  Lease,  only  from  the  pres- 
ent unprofitableness.  When  I  came  into  the  Town  there  was 
but  one  Tan  yard  within  the  settlements  &  now  there  are  eight  only 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  Town. 

7.  A  melancholy  accident  happened  at  Beverly  this  morning. 
A  M""  Raymond  was  at  work  in  a  Sail  Loft,  &  a  young  man  care- 
lessly handling  a  gun,  discharged  it  into  his  neck,  &  it  was  instant 
death.  There  was  a  cry  of  fire  at  1/4  past  one  from  a  Chimney. 
It  was  a  rare  sight  at  this  hour,  but  extinguished  without  danger. 

11.  We  hear  from  Jeremie  that  the  attempts  to  enlist  American 
Seamen,  met  with  a  brave  resistance  from  the  Seamen  who  lost  one 
man  in  preventing  the  boat  from  coming  to  the  vessel,  &  that  at  2 
conflicts  tbey  killed  3  of  the  Enemy,  &  wounded  six.  The  Com- 
mandant on  Shore  took  care  to  assiu'e  the  Americans  of  freedom 
from  any  future  insults. 

12.  Electioneering  goes  on  in  our  own  State  &  in  New  Hamp- 
shire. It  extends  itself  in  Boston  for  the  petty  Officers  of  the  Town. 
This  is  the  Commencement  of  a  new  Career.  Their  School  com- 
mittee business  does  not  operate  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Masters, 
or  the  Town. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sally  Swasey,  d.  of  her  husband  abroad, 
pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Samuel  Swasey,  d.  of  his  eldest  Son  Samuel, 
&  his  g.  Son  George  Symmes  &  p.  for  Son  absent.  Wid.  Margaret 
Swasey,  d.  of  her  G.  Son,  &  pr.  for  absent  friends.  Mary  Town- 
send,  delivery.  Husband  at  Sea. 

14.  The  Annual  Town  Meeting.  Col.  Hawthorne,  Moderator. 
The  same  Gentlemen  were  chosen  as  last  year.  All  served  but  M"" 
Saunderson,  in  whose  place  Addison' Richardson  was  appointed.  The 
Overseer's  board  was  changed  &  Capt.  B.  Hodges,  &  Capt.  Marston, 
elected  in  the  place  of  such  as  resigned.  Upon  the  School  master's 
Salary  there  was  a  long  discussion.  It  was  supposed  that  two  large 
grants  had  been  made  by  the  Committee,  &  therefore  the  discretion- 
ary power  ought  not  to  be  continued.  After  many  relative  affairs 
it  was  concluded  that  the  Town    assign  a  Salary,  which  was  150 


1796]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  176 

pounds,  equal  to  500  Dollars.  There  were  proposals  to  give  the 
Grammar  Master  only  100  Pounds  but  the  Committee  declined 
making  such  an  offer  &  the  matter  was  left  till  the  adjournment. 
County  Register  &  Treasurer  were  voted  for  at  this  meeting.  The 
tolling  of  Bells  in  the  present  form  was  objected  to  &  the  method 
of  4  strokes  in  a  minute  proposed  for  the  Old  Church  liell  which  is 
central.     It  was  objected  that  it  need  not  extend  to  other  bells. 

15.  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Town  the  present  Market  hoiise* 
ivas  offered  to  the  Town,  at  the  Bills  which  it  cost,  which  were  stated 
at  1850.4^,  or  about  (5,000  Dollars.  But  no  persons  appeared  to  urge 
the  purchase.     It  was  to  the  Town  rather  a  subject  of  diversion. 

10.  The  Violin  for  the  first  time  was  introduced  last  Sunday, 
We  expect  two  German  flutes,  &  a  Tenor-Viol  in  addition  to  our 
present  Bass  viol. 

17.  By  the  high  wind  this  morning  a  chimney  in  the  Barber's 
Shop  at  Andrew's  corner  blew  down,  drove  in  the  roof,  the  floor  be- 
low, the  plastering,  &  by  a  very  fortunate  escape,  a  boy  who  was  on 
the  floor  below,  fled  from  under  the  broken  beam,  which  was  pre- 
vented from  falling  only  by  a  shingle  which  stood  upright  &  lodged 
on  the  lower  part  of  the  Chimney. 

18.  The  high  wind  yesterday  utterly  destroyed  the  old  House  of 
Beadle  standing  in  Turner's  Street,  bet.  Essex  &  Derby  Street.  It 
has  long  been  the  terrour  of  the  neighbours,  &  and  was  inhabited 
long  after  it  was  judged  unsafe. 

19.  The  westerly  winds  have  so  prevailed  that  a  vessel  from 
China  is  but  a  fortnight  later  than  the  last  arrivals  from  Europe. 

20.  Sunday.  We  were  alarmed  after  service  by  a  messenger 
from  Andover,  who  reported  that  General  Fiske  was  thought  to  be 
dying  in  a  lethargy.  He  had  been  speechless  &  insensible  from  the 
morning.  His  wife  &  eldest  daughter  with  company  went  for  An- 
dover immediately. 

22.  The  printer  of  the  Mercury  in  Boston,  to  steal  a  march  on 
the  Printer  of  Wednesday,  came  to  this  Town  &  borrowed  the  types 
standing,  &  struck  off  the  news  in  a  Mercury  special  on  the  spot,  & 
went  with  them  to  Boston.  Such  competition.  This  evening  my 
instrumental  music  with  me.  The  Company,  Masters  Macintire,  & 
Palfrey,  &  Heard,  Becket,  &  a  yoimg  man,  name  unknown.  They 
supped  with  me  and  were  encoviraged  I  trust. 

24.  M'  Law  has  notified  me  of  his  intention  to  have  a  Singing 
Exhibition  at  D""  Bernard's  Meeting  House  on  the  morrow  evening. 
Spent  the  greater  part  of  this  day  with  M'  Webb  who  was  dying. 
He  long  kept  the  Fort  to  which  we  usually  resorted  on  Pleasant 
Summer  Days. 

25.  jNI''  Law  had  his  singers  in  the  Front  of  the  North  Church 
gallery.     There  was  a  large  collection  of  people  on  the  occasion.     A 

•Located  at  the  foot  of  Central  Street  and  destroyed  by  Are  in  1844.    The  present  Phoe- 
nix Building  was  erected  upon  the  site. 


176  DIARY  OP  [April 

Disturbance  from  the  cry  of  fire.  Capt.  Prince  attempting  to  get 
out  of  the  harbour  with  his  Ship  for  India,  grounded  on  Marble- 
head  side. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  Children  of  Stephen  Webb,  on  his  death, 
one  of  his  Sons  &  a  Son  in  Law  at  Sea.  John  Webb  &  Wife,  d.  of 
his  Brother,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Hannah  Webb,  d.  of  Brother 
in  Law.  George  Lazell  &  Wife,  for  him  dang,  sick,  pr.  for  g.Son  at 
Sea. 

30.  Several  Spittings  of  Snow  but  in  the  evening  a  violent  snow 
storm  from  the  S.  E.  which  continued  several  hours,  with  a  con- 
siderable fall  of  Snow. 

31.  The  house  was  not  full.*  The  usual  Contribution  was  made, 
which  amounted  to  61  dollars  66  cents.  Our  Singing  was  good,  & 
the  Counter  exhibition  provoked  in  thought  by  Law's  exhibition  in 
the  North  Meeting  House  is  abandoned. 

April  1.  [1796]  The  Sermon  delivered  by  D^  Barnard  had 
great  acceptance  yesterday  both  in  his  own  Society,  &  in  the  first 
Church.  No  notice  was  taken  of  the  Sermon  by  their  own  Minister 
in  the  first  Church  in  which  a  subscription  begun.  Eeceived  a  let- 
ter from  W  Belnap,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Historical  Soci- 
ety, notifying  me  that  I  was  elected  a  Member,  &  desiring  an 
answer. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Jeffrey,  d.  of  her  Sister,  pr.  for 
Husb.  &  Br.  at  Sea.  Joseph  Brown  &  Wife,  d.  of  youngest  Child, 
pr.  Br.  at  Sea.  Joshua  French  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Brother,  pr.  for 
his  Son  at  Sea.     Thomas  Rowell  &  Wife,  pr.  her  delivery. 

4.  The  Day  for  the  election  of  a  Governour.  Adams  had  ren 
dered  himself  odious  to  the  Federalists,  &  was  not  in  high  esteem, 
from  his  age  &  character,  with  many  of  the  Anti-Treaty  party.  In 
the  Gazettes  of  Salem  he  had  been  not  even  named.  M'  Philips  of 
Andover  had  been  once  mentioned  with  respect,  but  the  greatest 
zeal  was  discovered  for  Judge  Sumner.  At  the  election  the  men  of 
property  appeared  chiefly  for  Sumner,  but  there  were  no  combina- 
tions in  his  favour.  The  democratic  party  were  not  without  men 
of  firm  minds,  but  were  not  qualified  by  education  to  plead  or  to 
write.  They  influenced  one  hundred,  where  importance  was  in 
their  numbers,  &  in  their  leaders,  as  they  had  little  private  in- 
fluence.    The  votes  resulted  for  Sumner,  190,  for  Adams,  103. 

5.  By  the  Gazette  we  find  1500  votes  for  Adams  in  Boston,  &  800 
for  Sumner.  In  Marblehead,  a  majority  of  83  ag.  37  for  Adams.  In 
the  other  towns,  a  majority  of  votes  for  Sumner,  in  our  neighbour- 
hood. The  vote  of  the  Clergyman  Story  in  Marblehead,  was  ques- 
tioned by  the  Selectmen,  more  to  vex  than  to  prohibit. 

8.  The  weather  so  smoaky  together  with  a  Sultry  heat,  as  to 
give  rise  to  conjectures    of  great  fires  in  the  western  countries, 

•Tbe  ▲nnual  Fast  Day. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.   D.  177 

&  the  smell  of  burnt  woods  some  presumed  to  discover.  All 
Windows  open.  News  from  Boston  that  last  night  the  Hon. 
THOMAS  RUSSEL,  an  eminent  Merchant,  died  of  an  apoplectic 
fit.  He  was  distinguished  by  his  humanity  &  benevolence. 
Every  institution  of  our  country  has  profited  by  his  liberality.  It 
is  suspected  that  he  has  left  uo  one  of  his  posterity  to  enter  upon 
such  extensive  business,  &  to  distinguish  himself  with  such  abun- 
dant charities. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  Walter  Jeffrey  &  Wife,  his  return  after  a 
long  detention  on  his  voyage  by  contrary  winds,  d.  of  youngest 
child,  mother  &  Sister  in  Law  in  his  absence.  Brother  at  Sea. 
Thomas  Masury  &  Wife,  his  return  after  long  absence  on  his  voy- 
age, d.  of  his  youngest  child  in  his  absence,  friends  at  Sea, 

13.  Captain  Amasa  Davis,  Captain  for  the  present  year,  waited 
upon  me  requesting  me  to  preach  the  Artillery  Election  Sermon 
this  year.  Capt.  Perkins  of  the  Castle  accompanied  him  &  we  vis- 
ited the  Forts  upon  the  heights  below  the  Town.  Capt.  D.  told  me 
that  the  votes  were  unanimous. 

15.  A  Ship  belonging  to  M'  Derby  has  arrived  from  India.  She 
brings  no  news,  but  of  her  own  success,  &  wealth  with  full  tide 
flows  in  upon  that  successful  man. 

16.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sai'ah  Millet,  delivery,  Husb.  &  Brother 
at  Sea.  I  read  after  service  a  paper  from  the  Committee,  directed 
to  me  to  be  read  to  the  Congregation,  to  raise  one  hundred  dollars 
towards  the  painting  &  whitewashing  of  the  inside  of  the  Meeting 
House.  The  former  Services  have  been  all  settled  &  the  painting 
is  intended  for  such  work  as  has  been  already  painted,  &  does  not 
include  the  Pews  &  Seats. 

18.  I  left  Salem  to  go  to  Andover,  to  visit  my  friend  Gen. 
Fiske,  who  has  been  long  in  that  place  for  the  advantages 
of  the  air,  the  retirement,  and  the  attention  of  D""  Kit- 
teridge,'  who  is  famous  for  his  success  with  deranged  persons. 
When  I  arrived  at  Stephens'  I  found  the  fishing  Time  had  come  on, 
but  the  Fishing  in  the  brooks  was  by  the  Town,  according  to  Law, 
an  exclusive  privilege  in  the  hands  of  a  Committee.  One  of  the 
particular  brooks  is  the  Quochechiuque  which  is  the  outlet  from  the 
pond  one  mile  N.  E.  from  the  Meeting  House  to  the  Merrimac,  be- 
ing about  two  miles  in  its  course,  passing  the  road  not  a  mile  N.  of 
the  N.  Meeting  House.  The  pond  is  large,  &  of  an  irregular  shape. 
It  is  several  miles  aroiuid  it,  but  I  only  saw  it  from  the  Hills.  I 
was  upon  the  hill  opposite  Frye's  which  I  had  visited  once  before, 
&  upon  the  hill  north  of  it,  between  Frye's  &  the  Pond.  I  did 
not  go  to  Wyere  Hill  which  is  between  the  Meeting  House  &  the 
Pond. 

19.  This  morning  after  breakfast  in  company  with  Col.  Love- 
joy  I  left  Andover  to  see  Methuen,  one  of  the  Towns  of  Essex 
County.     I  had  crossed  the  river  before  at  Bodwell's  falls,  &  at  the 


178  DIARY  OF  [April 

upper  part  of  the  Town  at  Kichardson's  but  had  not  been  far  from 
the  banks  of  the  River.  We  had  to  ride  about  three  miles  to  Bod- 
well's  falls  where  the  new  Bridge  is  erected.  We  crossed  the 
Bridge  on  the  Shawshin  at  Poor's  in  a  mile  &  1/2  &  a  Brook  called 
Cold  Spring,  &  had  in  full  view  a  regular  hill  called  Tower  Hill  in 
Methuen,  which  touches  the  river  between  Bodwell  &  Peter's  falls, 
&  has  a  ferry  on  the  river.  We  turned  short  to  the  right  hand  and 
came  to  the  Bridge.  I  was  not  able  to  get  the  dimentions  of  this 
Bridge.  It  was  represented  on  the  planking  to  reach  38  rods,  above 
600  feet.  The  water  courses  are  four,  &  all  supported  overhead. 
The  first  floor  is  flat,  but  the  other  three  are  arches.  The  piers  are 
covered  with  square  timber  &  filled  with  rocks,  &  the  work  looks 
well  throughout.  There  were  seines  employed  on  both  sides  of  the 
river,  but  they  took  only  Shads,  Suckers  &  alewives.  We  pur- 
chased a  few  as  they  came  out  of  the  water.  Having  passed  the 
Bridge,  we  left  White's  on  the  right,  &  soon  passed  a  guide  Post, 
telling  us,  that  it  was  17  miles  to  Londonderry,  &  so  to  Patucket 
falls,  which  is  said  to  be  a  corruption  of  Pantucket.  We  crossed  a 
Brook,  &  then  came  in  view  of  the  Spiquet,  a  beautiful  Stream, 
which  rises  in  New  Hampshire,  passes  through  Methuen  &  empties 
into  the  Merrimack,  opposite  to  the  Shawshin.  Its  course  was 
judged  to  be  S.  E.,  &  it  passes  near  New  Salem  Meeting  House  in 
N.  H.  near  the  Road.  As  we  ascended  Conant's  Hill  we  saw  the 
Spiquet  pouring  its  waters  along  at  the  Foot  of  this  Hill,  which  is 
high  &  steep,  &  now  the  land  begins  to  look  of  a  much  better  soil, 
as  well  as  cultivation.  A  view  of  Methuen  from  the  opposite 
banks  of  the  River  would  give  the  beholder  a  very  unfavourable 
opinion  of  the  Townsliip,  &  would  justify  the  censure  of  Andover, 
whose  inhabitants  long  called  it  Littleworth.  But  the  opinion  is 
more  favoura.ble  when  we  see  their  Oaklands,  well  cultivated  spots, 
&  the  general  appearance  of  ease  &  prosperity.  It  is  said  to  have 
gained  much  within  a  few  years,  &  the  Farms  are  in  better  hands. 
The  high  lands  give  fine  prospects,  &  we  were  relieved  from  the 
fatigue  of  mounting  Conant's  Hill,  by  the  scenes  which  opened  be- 
fore us.  As  we  approached  the  Falls,  the  Farm  house,  &  the  Farm 
of  one  Osgood  appeared  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  in  good  order, 
&  cultivation.  In  two  miles  from  the  Bridge  we  reached  the  Cas- 
cade at  the  Falls  of  the  Spiquet,  which  is  indeed  romantic.  The 
Road  runs  just  above  &  just  below  the  falls,  &  there  are  the  best 
advantages  for  viewing  them  on  every  side.  While  the  stream  is 
full  they  are  enchanting.  The  whole  fall  is  fifty  feet,  but  the  de- 
scent over  the  rocks,  which  forms  the  cascade,  is  30  feet.  Above 
the  falls  the  stream  divides  &  leaves  a  little  Island  over  which  a 
road  passes  by  two  small  bridges.  The  Island  is  full  of  large  Oaks. 
The  east  branch  would  lead  off  the  water,  &  as  it  passes  the  Island, 
is  not  interrupted.  This  branch  is  checked  below  the  Island  by  the 
Timber,  which  passes  over  its  mouth,  &  keeps  it  up  several  feet. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  179 

The  western  Brancli  is  brokeu  by  continual  falls  over  the  Rocks, 
till  it  reaches  the  rocks,  where  it  mixes  its  waters  with  the  other 
branch  &  pours  down  in  the  beautiful  Cascade,  into  a  bason  below. 
On  the  western  side  there  is  a  grist  mill,  &  fulling  mill,  &  on  the 
eastern  a  small  wheel  to  grind  scythes,  &  all  tools  of  iiusbandry. 
The  water  passes  from  the  bason  below  with  an  inclination  east- 
ward, which  gives  a  convenient  stand  in  front  of  the  falls  to  see  the 
water  precipitate  itself  from  the  rock.  The  cascade  is  several  times 
broken,  but  the  whole  has  but  one  interruption  from  the  projecting 
sides  of  the  rocks  at  2/3s  the  height.  The  rock  is  shelving,  &  slate 
rock.  A  Sergeant  holds  the  mills,  &  keeps  a  public  house  in  this 
neighbourhood.  In  one  mile  we  reached  the  meeting  House  leav- 
ing on  our  right  the  parsonage  lot  of  wood  chiefly  oak.  Not  far 
from  the  Meeting  House  is  the  late  Mansion  of  the  first  IVIinister, 
Sargeant,  who  was  the  father  of  our  late  Judge  Sargeant,  so  emi- 
nent on  our  Supreme  Bench  for  his  Law  Knowledge,  &  lately  de- 
ceased at  Haverhill.  The  Estate  is  now  held  by  a  Bodivell  by  pur- 
chase. Rev.  Sargeant  was  in  this  Town  50  years,  &  not  long  since 
died.  He  was  succeeded  by  a  M""  Williams,  Son  of  the  Rev*^  Williams 
of  Windham,  not  far  from  this  place,  for  whom  a  Manse  was  built 
upon  the  glebe  not  far  from  the  Meeting  House.  M''  Williams  soon 
left  his  charge  from  some  civil  dispute,  &,  is  since  settled  at  Mere- 
dith. Last  December  they  ordained  a  Perley  from  Boxford.  By 
an  advertisement  on  the  Door  of  the  Meeting  House,  it  is  to  be 
taken  down  on  Wednesday  April  21,  which  is  the  next  day.  The 
Pews  had  been  taken  out,  &  preparation  made.  This  is  their  first 
Meeting  House.  It  was  small,  &  in  the  usual  proportions  of  our 
Meeting  Houses.  Never  painted  within  or  without.  The  timber 
was  on  the  spot  for  a  new  Meeting  House,  which  they  expect  to 
raise  in  May.  It  is  to  be  upon  the  plan  of  the  New  Meeting  House 
lately  finished  in  the  lower  Parish  of  Bradford.  With  a  tower,  & 
Cupola.  The  situation  is  truly  delightful.  The  Hill  on  whose  top 
it  is  to  be  placed,  rises  gently,  &  the  best  farms  are  near  it.  It 
commands  a  very  extensive  prospect.  One  Hildrich  keeps  the  Pub- 
lick  House  near  the  Meeting  House.  At  a  distance  N.  Westward, 
appears  a  handsome  House  belonging  to  one  Huit.  We  left  the 
Meeting  House  &  continued  our  rout  eastward,  after  having  been 
informed  that  we  left  the  Meeting  House  of  the  Seperatists,  half  a 
mile  on  our  left  to  the  west  when  we  were  at  the  Falls.  We  did 
not  see  it.  It  is  now  vacant,  &  the  Congregationalists  are  to  meet 
in  it,  while  their  House  is  building.  The  minister,  Stephens  of  the 
Seperatists,  has  removed  &  settled  in  Stoneham,  Middlesex  Co. 
The  Baptist  meeting  is  at  some  distance  on  the  extreme  part  of  the 
Town  towai'ds  Dracut,  and  is  unfinished,  &  without  a  Teacher.  In 
passing  from  the  M.  House  eastward,  we  went  near  a  Square 
House,  belonging  to  one  Swan,  which  was  well  constructed,  &  in 
good  order,  &  we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  houses  eastward,  as  we  de- 


180  DIARY  OP  [April 

scended  the  long  hill,  till  we  reached  Esq'  Ingall's,  to  whose  house 
we  intended  to  visit.  He  is  an  old  man,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Sessions,  &  has  been  in  the  General  Court.  His  house  is  two  miles 
from  the  Meeting  House.  To  extend  our  acquaintance  as  far  as  we 
could  we  did  not  return  the  same  way,  but  took  our  route  through 
Bear  Meadow  woods,  it  being  four  miles  from  Ingall's  to  the  Bridge 
on  this  road.  We  passed  Bear  Meadow  Brook,  &  on  our  right  a 
Clay  Pit,  which  is  said  to  afford  as  good  Clay  as  in  the  County. 
There  was  no  Kiln  prepared  when  we  passed.  After  we  had 
passed  the  Woods,  we  came  to  Sow  Brook,  which  near  the  road, 
meandered  in  the  most  singular  manner,  leaving  only  a  few  yards 
across  to  its  course,  after  running  in  opposite  directions  several 
rods.  It  is  above  a  mile  from  Ingall's.  We  then  came  to  Bloody 
Brook,  which  empties  into  the  Spiquet,  &  saw  the  Ironworks. 
There  was  a  Furnace  here,  but  it  had  not  lately  been  at  work.  Ore 
had  been  found  in  this  quarter,  but  I  did  not  hear  its  quality, 
quantity,  or  its  situation.  Below  on  the  Spiquet  we  saw  another 
small  fall,  at  which  was  a  Mill  Seat,  &  was  told  of  another,  below 
it  towards  Merrimac.  We  passed  the  road  to  Swan's  Ferry  by 
which  our  road  to  Andover  would  have  been  shortened  two  miles, 
but  as  the  attendance  was  uncertain  since  the  Bridge  had  been 
built,  we  continued  our  route  to  the  Bridge  passing  White's  on  our 
return,  which  we  had  left  on  our  right  when  we  entered  the 
Town.  From  the  Bridge  we  had  a  view  of  the  mouths  of  the 
Shawshin  &  Spiquet,  1/2  a  mile  below.  After  passing  the  bridge, 
where  toll  was  12  1/2  cents,  we  took  the  new  road  &  instead  of 
turning  as  when  we  passed  before,  kept  a  direct  course  for  the 
Overshot  Mills,  which  stand  upon  an  artificial  pond,  near  the 
Shawshin.  Here  a  Saw,  Grist  &  Fulling  mill  are  supplied  with 
their  little  streams.  We  then  entered  the  road  to  Billerica  &  Con- 
cord, &  keeping  the  left  reached  the  North  Parish,  ascending  a 
long  Hill,  from  which  the  prospect  is  very  extensive,  &  entering 
upon  Boston  Road  from  Haverhill.  I  dined  with  Col.  Lovejoy,  & 
in  the  evening  through  Topsfield  retui-ned  to  Salem.  From 
Methuen  we  could  see  the  Academy  at  Atkinson  on  a  hill  to  the 
eastward,  with  the  Meeting  House,  Manse,  &  adjacent  Buildings. 

20.  The  Body  of  David  Killum  came  ashore  upon  Winter  Island 
this  morning.  He  was  drowned  in  Cat  Cove  with  Marston  in  Jan- 
uary. He  was  buried  in  the  Pest  House  Burying  Ground,  &  I  at- 
tended. From  Capt.  Frye  I  was  told  that  the  iron  works  at 
Methuen  were  supplied  with  a  very  small  part  of  their  ore  from 
Methuen.  Some  of  the  Ore  was  brought  from  Wells  in  Maine,  & 
some  bought  in  pigs.  He  did  not  remember  the  spot  at  which 
any  was  obtained  in  Methuen. 

22.  Baker's  Island  was  so  called  as  early  as  1630,  &  lays  on  the 
south  side  of  the  principal  entrance  into  Salem  Harbour  in  Mass- 
achusetts Bay,  bearing  east  from  Fort  William  on   Winter  Island, 


1796]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,   D.  D.  181 

about  four  miles  from  the  fort,  which  is  a  mile  below  the  Town. 
It  contains  55  acres  of  Land,  &  once  had  a  good  house,  &  conven- 
ient outhouses  upon  it,  with  a  good  well  of  water.  The  Buildings 
were  greatly  injmed  in  1776,  when  Boston  was  in  the  possession 
of  the  British  Troops  &  were  sviffered  afterwards  to  be  distroyed. 
There  is  a  divisional  wall  across  the  Island,  made  by  the  former 
proprietors,  &  an  excellent  spring  of  water  upon  the  South  eastern 
Side,  not  far  from  the  range  of  the  wall.  A  Beacon  was  raised 
upon  the  island  by  the  Marine  Society  of  Salem,  on  the  northern 
height  of  land  on  20  July,  &  completely  finished  in  August  1791. 
It  is  67  feet  to  the  top  of  the  Ball,  &  19  feet  in  diameter  within  at 
bottom,  forming  a  convenient  room  for  water  parties  or  for  shelter. 
There  is  deep  water  near  the  Island  but  no  convenient  landing 
place.  The  outward  or  eastern  side  is  high  &  rocky,  the  northern 
side  is  highest,  but  more  shelving.  Upon  the  western  side  is  a 
beach  upon  which  there  is  a  constant  swell,  &  from  which  stones 
for  pavements  have  been  taken  in  great  quantities.  This  Island 
with  all  the  islands  near  this  shore  belong  to  Salem.  The  Trees 
have  been  distroyed,  but  the  soil  is  good,  &  will  admit  an  easy  cul- 
tivation. The  greatest  length  of  the  soil  is  from  north  to  south, 
above  three  eights  of  a  mile,  &  the  rocks  extend  at  each  end  beyond 
the  soil.  It  is  widest  on  the  northern  part,  high  &  projecting  on 
the  eastern  side,  but  entering  on  the  western  side.  Towards  the 
south  western  side  might  be  formed  the  best  landing  place.  There 
is  a  Channel  between  the  southern  rocks  of  the  Island,  &  the  Break- 
ers, near  the  Island,  but  it  is  not  deep  &  can  be  safe  only  at  high 
water,  &  only  to  those  who  are  acquainted  with  it. 

23.  Capt.  White  as  one  of  the  Committee  to  obtain  signatures  to 
the  memorial  to  be  presented  to  Congress,  begging  that  the  Treaty 
with  England  might  be  carried  into  effect,  offered  it  to  me  to  sign. 
The  memorial  was  drawn  up  by  one  Treadwell,  but  nothing  was 
shewn  to  me  but  my  fellow  signers.  I  put  my  name  on  the  list.  It 
is  expected  that  700  will  be  obtained.  The  Four  remonstrants  are 
Col.  Harthorne,  Capt.  W.  Cleaveland,  Capt.  R.  Stone,  &  Capt.  T. 
Webb.  I  was  called  to  visit  John  Brooks,  set.  47,  when  dying. 
He  is  the  only  one  of  a  large  family  of  Brothers,  who  has  not  suc- 
ceeded in  the  world.  Some  early  disappointments,  drove  him  as  a 
sutler  into  the  army  from  which  he  returned  without  morals  & 
without  hopes. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Webb,  for  delivery,  child  dead, 
Husb.  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Joseph  Hosmer  &  wife,  her  delivery. 
In  the  evening  attended  the  funeral  of  John  Brooks,  Rev**  Hopkins 
absent. 

25.  M""  Gibson  Clough  in  giving  me  the  list  of  Sextons  who  have 
served  in  the  East  Meeting  House,  reported  them  in  the  following 
order.     The  first  of  whom  I  had  heard  was  called  *^  Funny"  Bab- 


182  DiAEY  OP  [May 

bidge.*  To  him  succeeded  Aborn,  who  was  here  till  1750,  then 
came  his  Father  Gibson  Clough,  who  was  from  Boston,  &  afterwards 
at  his  death  in  1761,  came  John  Gavot,  to  whom  in  1765  succeeded 
M""  English  who  now  holds  the  Office.  Yesterday  was  a  Contribution 
in  consequence  of  the  order  of  the  Committee,  read  on  the  preceed- 
ing  Sunday.     The  Collection  exceeded  120  dollars, 

26.  The  Irish  priest  this  day  returned  in  Triumph.  He  rode 
through  the  Town  a  la  mode,  &  by  his  gestures  &  reeling,  told  the 
nature  of  his  last  voyage.  He  had  not  his  sea  legs,  but  the  Sea 
sickness  on  horse-back,  &  was  more  than  half  seas  over.  I  trust 
that  the  Town  will  now  open  their  eyes,  &  cease  from  censure. 

28.  Capt.  Allen  is  repairing  the  House  upon  the  Neck  Farm 
which  was  very  much  abused  by  the  late  Tenants.  It  is  now  occu- 
pied by  M""  Brown. 

May  1.  [1796]  Sunday.  Notes.  Samuel  Brooks  &  Wife,  d.  of 
his  brother.     Luke  Brooks,  d.  of  his  Brother. 

3.  The  day  of  preparation  for  Training.  The  Companies  were 
under  seperate  commands  &  at  their  respective  parades.  Some 
were  found  with  Damn  the  Militia  Law  upon  the  knapsacks  upon 
the  levelling  scheme.  Some,  No  Treaty,  &  others,  Treaty.  But  no 
notices  were  taken  of  these  excentricities.  Some  were  impudent, 
ill  dressed,  &  ill  provided.  Some  reproofs  were  used.  But  there 
are  too  many  effects  of  our  revolution  to  be  seen.  Many  minds  are 
disorganised. 

4.  The  Military  review.  The  Cadets  &  Artillery  in  fine  order, 
powder  at  9^/  p""  pound,  11/2  dollars,  &  so  no  firing.  The  Regi- 
ment thin  fi'om  the  dislike  to  subordination,  rather  than  the  Mili- 
tia Law.  The  whole  were  reviewed  on  the  Common  by  Gen. 
Abbot. 

5.  Everywhere  followed  with  persecutions  for  the  speech  made 
to  a  Captain,  recommending  the  punishment  of  a  disorderly  person. 
He  is  supported  by  a  desperate  company,  &  I  have  had  already 
several  visits,  &  at  last  a  letter  threatning  a  civil  prosecution  for 
insult  &  abuse.  Our  meeting  is  to  be  at  my  house  at  ten  in  the 
evening  for  a  conference.    Just  free  from  Duff,  I  plunge,  &  plunge. 

6.  This  matter  was  settled  this  day  after  the  most  humiliating 
concessions  on  my  part.  Two  long  hours,  besides  last  night's  dis- 
quiets, was  the  excessive  Tax  upon  me  for  my  imprudence  in  put- 
ting myself  into  the  power  of  such  men.  Bu.t  we  parted  in  peace. 
Since  it  has  been  renewed.  The  wretch  has  notified  me  that  he 
shall  wait  upon  me  with  his  Officers.  At  nine  in  the  evening  they 
came.  Captain  James  Becket,  Lieutenants  James  Brown,  &  Joseph 
Vincent.  The  horrid  struggle  with  the  most  distressing  passions 
may  be  conceived.  But  I  soon  finished  this  interview,  &  the  busi- 
ness ended.  No  friend  visited  me.  No  friend  comforted  me.  No 
friend  asked  me  of  the  event. 

•James  Babbidge,  son  of  Christopher  and  Lydia. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  183 

7.  My  mind  yet  agitated  by  the  situation.  Nothing  done.  The 
excellent  Bell  of  the  North  Meeting  is  cracked.  The  Irish  Parson 
has  had  another  bout,  piiblickly. 

8.  Sunday.  Publications  of  the  Town.  Fisher's  Sermon  on  the 
day  of  the  Execution  of  Henry  Blackburn.  The  address  was  the 
most  popular.  M''  Spaulding  upon  the  prophecies.  His  millenium 
is  after  the  resurrection.  D""  Bernard's  Fast  Sermon  recommending 
Religion,  attention  to  public  worship,  to  contemn  prophanity  & 
avoid  infidelity.  Emmons  Smith  &  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of  his 
Eldest  Son.  This  Son  of  Smith  was  named  Stephen,  &  had  been 
long  decaying  in  a  Consumption,  was  by  occupation  a  Rope  Maker, 
living  with  Briggs  &  several  years  of  the  first  of  life  in  Danvers, 
with  the  father  of  D"^  Archelaus  Putnam,  set.  23. 

10.  The  repairs  of  the  Meeting  House  began  on  the  inside.  The 
whole  frame  &  galleries  to  be  painted.  The  Bannisters  to  be  taken 
from  the  women's  Gallery,  &c. 

11.  The  Mercury  in  Boston  is  to  be  printed  daily,  which  will 
be  the  first  daily  paper  in  the  State,  or  that  ever  was  published  in 
it.  It  is  proposed  to  print  two  in  a  week  in  Salem.  There  are 
printed  in  this  State,  which  come  to  our  hands  Semi-Weekly 
Gazettes  from  Boston,  Centinel,  Chronicle,  Orrery,  &  Mercury,  be- 
sides Edes'  weekly  paper.  In  the  other  parts  of  the  State,  there  is 
one  in  this  Town,  two  in  Newbury  P.,  one  in  Haverhill,  three  in 
Maine,  two  at  Portland,  &  one  at  Hallowell.  One  at  New  Bedford. 
Inland  papers,  from  Worcester,  Leominster,  two  from  Springfield, 
one  from  Stockbridge,  Greenfield,  Brookfield. 

13.  Was  shown  a  Cradle  in  the  possession  of  M"  Williams  in 
Union  street  in  which  was  rocked  the  first  male  child  born  in 
Salem.  It  was  made  of  oak,  the  rockers  were  pinned  into  the  feet 
of  the  square  corner  posts  of  the  Cradle,  &  the  sides  were  panelled. 
The  rockers  were  gone,  Ss  the  top,  which  was  peaked  &  the  end 
pannell  entered  the  grooves  in  the  head  posts.  The  Cradle  was 
deep.  It  was  delivered  from  the  Massey  family  to  their  grand- 
daughter who  married  an  A  rcher,  &  by  this  Archer  was  delivered  to 
M"  Williams,  a  descendant. 

14.  The  Staging  taken  from  the  Meeting  House.  The  Commit- 
tee present.  M"  Derby  pres  ented  a  new  Covering  for  the  Com- 
munion Table,  with  a  napkin.  The  Committee  have  given  permis- 
sion for  a  new  Curtain,  particularly  Cap*'  Hodges,  &  the  green 
blinds  are  to  be  put  below  it  upon  the  window  to  keep  it  from  the 
Sun. 

15.  Sunday.  This  Sunday  upon  account  of  the  painting  our 
Meeting  House  was  shut,  for  the  first  time,  since  I  have  preached  in 
it.  I  went  up  to  the  South  Parish  in  Boxford,  &  preached  for  M'' 
Holyoke  who  has  suffered  &  is  impaired  by  a  paralytic  stroke.  His 
Son  Samuel  who  is  eminent  for  his  Musical  publications,  &  his 
talents  in  the  Instruction  of  Musical  Companies  was  with  us.     His 


184  DIARY  OF  [May 

success  was  great  in  Newbury,  in  the  society  under  M""  Spring.  He 
says  that  he  rendered  them  so  perfect,  as  to  make  90  scholars  sing 
in  such  harmony  as  that  the  parts  could  not  be  distinguished  when 
intermixed,  &  that  the  voices  of  each  part  were  sounded  so  as  to 
be  exactly  the  same.  He  shewed  me  beside  his  first  Compositions, 
in  4to  the  3Iassachusetts  Compiler,  of  which  he  &  Hansgram  &  Oliver 
Holden  are  the  professed  Editors.  The  Rules  are  compiled  from 
D'Alambert,  Rousseau,  Selzer,  Aodson,  Peux,  &  others.  The  old 
Gentleman  tells  me  that  the  first  Minister  of  this  Society  was  a 
Symmes,  who  removed  to  Bradford.  That  afterwards  was  a  Mr. 
Rogers  a  native  of  Salem,  who  continued  40  years,  &  that  he  H. 
was  ordained  in  1759.  A  Child  of  one  Foster  was  christened,  by 
the  name  of  Moody.  Upon  my  return,  I  remarked  that  from  five 
towards  eight  o'clock  from  Boxford  to  Putnam's  in  Danvers,  8 
miles,  I  did  not  see  abroad  or  at  the  windows,  one  person  of  any  age 
or  of  either  sex. 

16.  The  Measure  of  the  old  Meeting  House  is  given,  53  1/2  feet 
by  70  1/2  feet ;  of  the  East  Meeting  House  as  it  is  now,  56  feet  by 
63  feet.  Provision  making  for  painting  the  pews  of  one  colour. 
Many  will  be  painted. 

18.  This  afternoon  died  M*"  Josiah  Gaines,  the  Ropemaker,  set. 
76.  He  has  been  the  victim  of  all  the  cruelties  of  the  Gout.  A 
man  of  a  most  irreproachable  character.  He  was  well  in  the  morn- 
ing. Some  difficulty  with  Low  the  Stage  Driver  from  Cape  Ann. 
He  had  in  trust  for  the  managers  of  Gloucester  Road  Lottery,  un- 
sold Tickets,  for  which  he  gave  a  receipt  in  Salem  to  deliver  them 
to  the  Managers,  &  he  opened  the  Packet,  sold  some  of  the  Tickets, 
&  had  the  highest  prize  in  his  custody.  He  was  obliged  to  relin- 
quish it,  with  great  loss  of  reputation  in  Cape  Ann. 

19.  M""  Carleton  presented  to  me  300  copies  of  the  Catechism, 
that  I  use  in  my  Society,  in  the  4th  edition,  published  at  my  re- 
quest. The  Curtain  purchased  for  the  pulpit,  but  of  mean  mate- 
rials from  the  neglect  of  the  upholsterer  in  Boston,  Grant,  or  rather 
from  the  neglect  to  send  some  person  to  inspect  it.  The  former 
one  was  purchased  12  years  since  at  Bright's  by  M"  Carleton. 

22.  Sunday.  Opened  our  house  of  Worship  after  the  Repairs. 
Notes.  Elizabeth  Gaines,  d.  of  her  husband.  Mary  Peabody,  d. 
of  her  brother  Gaines.  Martha  Martin,  d.  of  her  Mother  in  Law  at 
Ipswich,  pr.  brethren  at  Sea.  Samuel  Silsbee  jun''  &  Wife,  her 
delivery.  Ruth  Babbidge,  Her  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  Son  at 
Sea. 

23.  M'  Law  had  a  Musical  Exhibition  this  evening,  &  persons 
were  introduced  only  as  they  had  tickets  to  be  delivered  at  the  door. 
He  aims  to  have  his  music  very  soft,  &  the  Treble  is  the  leading 
part,  not  one  note  of  tenour  was  heard  through  the  Evening.  The 
greatest  good  order  prevailed,  &  the  visiting  Company  was  respect- 
able.    In  their  attempts  to  sing  soft,   many  of  the  voices  do  not 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  185 

accent  the  notes  so  as  to  suable  the  ear  to  distinguish  the  strains 
from  soft  murmurs.  He  must  have  had  above  one  hundred 
Scholars. 

25.  Left  Salem  in  the  Stage  to  attend  in  Boston  at  the  General 
Election.  M""  French  of  Boston  was  the  preacher.  After  service  I 
visited  my  parents  &  dined  with  them,  &  then  my  brethren  &  Sis- 
ters. I  spent  the  evening  with  Rev*  Eliot  in  company  with  Rev. 
Thacher  of  Dedham,  D""  Warren,  &c.  I  went  to  White's  Book 
Store,  &  to  Nancrede,  &  made  several  small  purchases.  Visited 
Bo  wen's  Museum. 

26.  Being  Convention.  After  several  walks  about  the  Town  I 
went  to  the  Brattle  Street  Church,  to  hear  the  sermon  by  D''  Belnap. 
He  was  upon  the  afflictions  of  the  Clergy  &  after  enumerating  sev- 
eral, he  enlarged  upon  their  right  to  speech  in  politics.  I  dined 
at  Rev**  Eliot's  with  several  clergymen  &  candidates  &  left  &  re- 
turned to  Salem. 

28.  Last  week  in  the  upper  part  of  Salem  a  woman  of  40  years, 
named  Proctor,  a  maiden,  put  an  end  to  her  existence  by  a  skein  of 
yarn.  She  made  a  noose  of  one  end,  &  hung  the  other  upon  a 
beam.  She  is  the  third  in  the  same  family  connections  within  a 
few  years.  A  M''  Sawyer  at  Haverhill,  who  jumped  from  the  Tower 
of  the  Meeting  House  &  Thorndike  Proctor  in  this  Town.  She  was 
evidently  delirious. 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Archer  &  Wife,  with  children,  d. 
of  their  Son,*  prs.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  James  Archer  &  Wife,  d.  of 
her  Brother,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Abigail  Archer,  d.  of  her 
Brother,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Ebenezer  Tozzer  & 
Wife,  her  delivery. 

30.  At  the  request  of  some  gentlemen  of  the  Town,  I  went  down 
in  company  with  Captains  White,  James  Chever,  &  C.  Byrne  to  ex- 
amine the  elevation  &  natural  History  of  Baker's  Island  at  the  re- 
quest of  Tench  Coxe,  Commissioner  of  the  Revenue,  who  had  been 
addressed  on  the  occasion  of  erecting  the  intended  Light  house  upon 
the  Island.  By  such  means  as  I  had,  I  conjectured  the  height  about 
fifty  feet  upon  which  the  Light  house  is  to  stand.  In  answering 
his  questions  the  following  things  may  be  communicated.  Who 
ownes  the  Island?  The  family  of  Irving.  The  heirs  in  England, 
but  an  agent  resides  in  the  neighbourhood,  who  is  empowered  to  sell 
or  otherwise  dispose  of  it.  The  size  of  it.  It  may  be  reported  from 
the  printed  description  to  which  may  be  added,  that  the  Cellar 
of  the  House,  &  the  foundation  of  the  Chimney  remain  good,  &  that 
the  materials  of  the  present  monument  being  sound,  would  almost 
entirely  compleat  the  Dwelling  house  &  not  at  an  inconvenient  dis- 
tance from  the  Light  House.  The  Stone  Walls  are  very  little  in- 
juried.  The  House  stands  in  an  inclosed  square.  The  south  wall 
runs    E.  25  S.  across  the  Island,  down  to  a  living    Spring.     Its 

'Jonathan,  died  at  Hispaniola,  of  fever. 


186  DIARY  OF  [May 

capacity  to  produce  grain,  grass,  &  garden  vegetables.  It  has  been 
employed  for  all  these  purposes.  It  has  produced  fine  Indian  Corn. 
No  wheat,  rye,  or  barley  has  been  attempted  upon  it.  An  excel- 
lent Garden  has  been  here,  &  the  spot  is  enclosed.  Its  condition 
as  to  woodland,  ploughland,  pasture  &  meadow.  It  is  capable  of  pro- 
ducing any  New  England  woods,  &  oaks  were  upon  it  before  the  late 
War.  There  are  only  some  Juniper  Shrubs  now  growing  among  the 
rocks.  Almost  the  whole  surface  may  be  plowed.  It  is  not  free 
from  Rocks,  which  may  make  the  eight  part  of  the  whole  surface, 
but  such  spots  as  have  been  broken  by  the  plough  are  very  produc- 
tive. The  whole  is  now  pasture,  but  when  under  cultivation,  the 
northern  part  was  left  for  this  purpose.  It  has  no  meadows.  The 
whole  Ishind  lays  very  high,  &  the  Shore  is  either  covered  with 
rocks  or  a  beach.  All  the  grasses  usually  cultivated  in  N.  E.  have 
been  introduced.  As  to  Stones,  it  abounds  in  such  as  are  most 
convenient  for  the  light  house.  They  lay  in  strata  from  8  inches 
to  2  feet  in  thickness,  &  so  split  as  easily  to  be  removed  in  any 
dimentions  in  which  they  can  be  wanted  for  walls  or  for  the  Light 
house.  The  strata  are  inclined  about  45  degrees,  &  could  supply 
the  largest  cities.  No  clay  is  to  be  found,  or  lime  stone.  It  is  the 
hard  stone  found  in  the  shores  of  New  England.  No  minerals  are 
discovered  in  it. 

As  we  passed  Coney  Island  Capt.  James  Chever  told  us  that  the 
rocks  of  Coney  Island  dry  breaker  at  low  water  formed  a  pond  in 
which  are  the  best  Claras,  &  very  large.  We  had  showers  all  the 
time.  Our  company  went  off  to  take  fish  &  returned&  cooked  a  Chow- 
der upon  Baker's  Island.  Upon  my  return  I  provided  a  plot  of  the 
Island,  &  an  answer  to  the  letter  of  Tench  Coxe,  Commissioner  of 
the  Revenue,  &  delivered  them  to  Cap'  Joseph  White  under  Cover 
for  the  Committee  of  Marine,  Col.  Pickman,  W.  Gray,  &  J.  Derby. 

31.  Had  our  Philosophical  Library  meeting.  At  this  meeting  I 
had  to  pay  four  dollars  as  a  fine  for  detaining  four  volumes  over 
the  Annual  meeting.  My  apology  was  that  I  did  not  know  the  law. 
The  reason  why  I  did  not,  was  that  I  had  seldom  used  my  privi- 
lege, &  had  no  notice  that  the  Books  must  be  returned.  In  excuse 
I  added,  that  the  Books  were  taken  out  for  the  use  of  the  Survey  of 
the  Town.  Nothing  was  said,  four  dollars  were  too  much  to  loose, 
and  I  paid  the  money. 

June  1.  [1796]  D""  Bass  was  elected  Bishop  of  the  Epis.  Church 
in  this  State  unanimously  at  Boston  on  the  day  preceeding  the 
General  Election  being  May  24.  He  was  elected  Bp.  of  Mass.  &  N. 
Hamp.,  2  Feb.  1790  at  Salem,  but  did  not  accept.  It  is  now  sup- 
posed that  he  will  accept.     He  is  a  primitive  man. 

3.  M''  Rogers  was  kind  enough  to  communicate  in  his  letter  to 
me  an  account  of  the  new  road  to  Gloucester,  by  which  they  mean 
to  avoid  the  dangerous  hill.  They  expect  with  2,000  dollars  to 
make  the  new  road  passable,  &  then  perhaps  establish  a  Turnpike. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  187 

5.  Sunday.  After  Service,  I  left  Salem  to  go  for  Boston,  hav- 
ing been  appointed  to  preach  the  Artillery  Election  Sermon,  &  be- 
ing advised  to  go  this  evening,  because  of  the  uncertainty  of  the 
weather  next  morning.  I  reached  Boston  before  nine,  &  lodged  at 
my  Father's. 

6.  In  the  morning,  I  visited  Capt.  Amasa  Davis,  who  was  in 
command  of  the  company,  &  then  returned  to  Rev.  Freeman's,  with 
whom  I  tarried  till  the  service  begun  in  the  Old  Brick.*  After 
service  we  dined  in  Faneuil  Hall,  &  at  3  I  took  my  place  in  the 
Historical  Society. 

7.  At  Boston  last  evening  died  Colonel  Azor  Orne,  who  from 
the  forming  of  the  Constitution  has  been  one  of  the  Council.  He 
was  in  his  65  year.  He  belonged  to  Marblehead.  He  was  an  hon- 
est, faithful,  consistent,  firm  &  benevolent  man.  The  best  public 
man  in  Essex.  The  best  friend  to  the  poor  &  mankind.  The  ben- 
efactor of  all  his  bereaved  relations,  &  a  good  private  character, 

8.  Visited  Marblehead  on  my  return,  expecting  the  funeral,  but 
the  solemnities  are  delayed  till  the  morrow.  In  the  morning  D"" 
Lathrop  entertained  me  in  the  Library  kept  in  his  House  belonging 
to  the  American  Academy.  I  was  highly  entertained  with  some  ex- 
cellent engravings,  maps,  history  pieces,  landscapes,  &  fancies. 

9.  We  had  an  attempt  to  launch  a  Vessel  at  Becket's  but  failed. 
One  was  launched  at  Brigg's  last  Tuesday,  &  one  at  Frye's  Mills 
last  week.  Was  over  at  Col.  Orne's  fmieral  this  day.  The  pro- 
cession moved  &  returned  upon  the  Street  below  the  old  meeting 
House.  It  was  numerous  as  the  people  generally  attended,  &  the 
children  were  beyond  number. 

10.  The  widow  Bates, f  who  died  last  Saturday  had  experienced 
sad  reverses  of  condition.  From  flourishing  circumstances  she  had 
been  reduced  to  an  entire  dependance  upon  her  neighbours,  &  yet 
she  bore  her  adversities  with  singular  patience,  having  always  had 
adverse  events  to  struggle  with  either  from  temper,  or  domestic 
occurrences. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Becket  &  children,  d.  of  her  moth- 
er Bates,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea. 

13.  Rode  to  Nahant  with  Phebe  Buxton,  a  Niece  of  M"-  W'" 
Browne's  present  Wife,  &  adopted  into  his  family.  We  went  by 
the  way  of  the  Beaches,  &  reached  Nahant  Houses  bet.  11  &  12 
o'clock.  We  found  the  Carnes's  at  Woods,  but  obtained  admission 
at  Breed's.  We  found  an  invalid  here,  daughter  of  Col.  Fox  of 
Fitch  burg.  We  after  dinner,  fished,  &  then  drank  coffee  &  came 
away. 

14.  Upon  invitation  visited  near  the  l^ridge  a  maiden  Symonds, 
the  only  surviving  descendant  of  an  old  gentleman  by  that  name. 
M""  Phippen  &  Wife,  M''  Hill  &  Wife,  &  a  Sister  in  law  made  our 

•The  Old  Brick  church  on  Hanover  Street. 

tMary  (Dolbeare),  widow  of  Capt.  Benjamin  Bates. 


188  DiAEY  OP  [June 

party.  We  took  fish  in  the  river,  &  supped  upon  the  fruits  of  our 
labour. 

15.  Undertook  to  repair  the  Family  Jack,*  to  acquire  mechanic 
skill.  This  day  died  Ezra  Burrill,  who  has  driven  the  stage  be- 
tween Boston  &  Salem  ever  since  its  establishment.  He  has  been  a 
useful  man  in  his  station,  &  has  made  himself  happy  in  his  circum- 
stances from  the  encouragement  he  has  had  in  it. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mansfield  Burrill,  d.  of  his  brother  Ezra 
Burrill.  Abigail  Phippen,  d.  of  eldest  Sou  at  Sea,  pr.  for  Husband 
&  Son  at  Sea.  George  Ropes  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  brethren 
at  Sea.  At  the  christening  of  M''  Prebble's  Child, f  was  exhibited 
the  most  elegant  Service  of  plate  at  the  Tea  Table,  which  I  had 
ever  seen,  &  which  was  allowed  to  be  the  best  in  the  Town.  It  was 
imported  entire,  consisting  of  a  font  of  circular  figure  upon  four 
legs,  a  coffee  urn,  teapot  with  flute  &  beeds,  &  work  in  relief,  vases 
for  sugar,  cream,  &  butter  with  ladles,  spoons,  &  a  beautiful  set  of 
white  china,  having  only  a  blue  sprig. 

21.  Went  around  &  observed  the  names  of  the  Streets,  &  wrote 
a  letter  to  Hacker  to  obtain  the  history  of  the  Friends  in  this 
Town.  The  three  principal  Streets  are  Essex,  Federal  &  Derby 
Streets. 

Essex  Street,  through  the  Town. 

Derby  Street  from  Union  Wharf  to  the  Neck. 

East  Street  from  the  Common  into  lower  part  of  Essex  S. 

Brown's  Street  from  the  Church  to  the  Corner  of  the  Common. 

Winter  Street  from  Brown's  to  Bridge  Street. 

Bridge  Street  from  Winter  Street  to  the  Bridge. 

Locust  Street  from  Bridge  Street  to  North  River. 

English  Street  from  Essex,  crossing  Derby  Street  to  the  Harbour. 

Cromwell  Street  above  from  Essex  to  Derby  Street.     Becket's. 

Blaney's  Street  opposite  to  Cromwell's  S.  of  Derby  Street. 

Turner's  Street,  westward  from  Essex,  crossing  Derby  S.  to  the 
harbour. 

Hardy  St.  westw.  from  Essex  crossing  Derby  S.  to  the  harbour. 

Daniel  St.  westw.  from  Essex  crossing  Derby  S.  to  the  harbour. 

Orange  St.  yet  going  W.  from  Essex  into  Derby  S.  near  the 
Wharves. 

Pleasant  Street  from  Essex  on  the  eastern  part  of  the  Common. 

Curtis  Street  from  Essex  into  Derby  Street. 

Herbert  Street  from  Essex  into  Derby  Street. 

Union  Street  from  Essex  to  the  Long  Wharf  bet.  Derby  & 
Neptune  S. 

Walnut  Street  from  Essex  into  Neptune  Street. 

Elm  Street  from  Essex  at  head  of  Common  crossing,  bet.  Nep- 
tune &  Vine  S. 

•Apparatus  for  turning  a  spit  before  an  open  fire. 

t Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Ebonezer  and  Elizabeth  (Derby)  Preble, 


1796]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,   D.   D.  189 

Newbury  S.  from  Essex  on  the  west  Side  of  the  Common  to 
Browne's  S. 

Neptune  Street  from  Union  Wharf  to  the  bottom  of  Vine  Street. 

Charter  Street  from  Vine  Street  to  Market  Street. 

Liberty  Street  from  Essex,  crossing  bet.  Vine  &  Charter  into 
Water  Street. 

Water  Street  from  Elm  Street  to  Fish  Street. 

Fish  St.  from  W^ater  Street  to  Market  Street. 

Market  Street  from  Essex  St.  at  the  Sun  to  the  Market  bet. 
Charter  &  Front  S. 

Williams  Street  from  common  N.  W.  Corner  to  North  river. 

Ingersoll  Street  from  Derby  Street  to  Neck  Gate  N.  W.  ly. 

Front  Street  from  Market  Street  to  Short  &  Washington  Street. 

Short  Street  the  N.  eastern  Side  of  the  triangle  lay«  bet.  Front, 
Washington  &  Short  S. 

Washington  Street  from  Essex  S.  0pp.  to  Court  street,  to  Norman 
Street. 

Norman  Street  from  Washington  to  Summer  Street. 

Mill  Street  from  Norman  St.  to  the  Mills  entering  S.  Fields. 

High  Street  leading  from  Mill  street  over  the  Hill  to  Summer 
Street. 

Summer  Street  leading  from  Essex  S.  opp.  to  North  S.  to  Picker- 
ing's Hill. 

Road  by  Pickerings.* 

Cambridge,  a  new  Street  from  Essex  enters  opp.  to  Factory.-)- 

Chestnut,  a  new  Street  crosses  into  Summer  Street. 

Flint  Street  from  Pickering's  into  Essex  Street. 

Boston  Street  from  Buffum's  Corner,  end  of  Essex  Street  to  the 
Town  Bridge. 

Federal  Street  from  Boston  to  North  Street. 

Dean  Street  from  Essex  to  Federal  Street  crossing  it. 

Bickford  Street  from  Essex  crossing  Federal  Street. 

River  Street  running  from  Bickford  Street  to  the  River. 

Lynn  Street  from  River  S.  to  Federal  Street. 

Andover,  a  New  S.  parallel  with  Federal  Street,  &  River  Street 
bet.  Lynn  &  Bickford  Street. 

North  Street  from  North  Bridge  to  Essex  Street  by  North  M. 
House. 

Lynde  Street  from  North  Street  to  Court  Street  by  N.  M.  House. 

Malborough  S.  from  North  Street  to  Court  S.  from  Federal  S. 

Court  Street  from  Essex  to  North  River,  on  it  the  Court  House. 

Church  Street,  leading  from  Court  S.  to  S*  Peter's  S.  to  the 
Church. 

County  Street  from  Court  S.  to  S*  Peter's  by  the  Common  Goal. 

Ash  Street  leading  from  County  S.  to  the  River. 

•Now  Broad  street. 
fThe  duck  fuctory. 


190  DIARY  Of  t^une 

These  are  the  Streets  in  what  may  be  called  the  Town,  excluding 
North  &  South  Field  Roads,  &  the  road  to  Boston  beyond  Town 
Bridge,  &  the  road  upon  the  Neck. 

22.  Attended  with  the  Instrumental  music  for  the  first  time. 
We  had  one  Bass  Viol,  one  Tenour  viol,  &  two  violins  &  two 
flutes,  at  Heard's.  The  principal  objection  to  these  interviews  are, 
that  in  private  houses  they  give  occasion  to  the  too  free  use  of 
spirituous  liquors. 

23.  Went  into  Southwick's  School  House  which  is  built  upon 
Symond's  Lot,  which  he  has  purchased.  The  School  is  to  be  in 
the  chamber,  with  which  the  communication  is  to  be  on  the  western 
end. 

24.  Spent  the  day  at  Allen's  Farm  in  Lynn  with  Judge  Sullivan 
&  Lady,  Col.  Cushing,  M''  Goodale  &  several  other  families,  upon 
the  invitation  of  Capt.  Thomas  Lee.  I  went  with  him,  but  our 
Chaise  broke  down.  M''  Allen  did  the  honours  of  the  day  well,  & 
in  good  season  we  seperated.  The  Beaches  &  Heights  afforded  us 
rich  amusements,  &  the  day  passed  with  full  employment,  &  real 
entertainment.  Had  a  Card  for  Law's  Music  School  exhibition  in 
the  Concert  Hall*  this  evening. 

25.  The  Masonic  Brethren  appeared  at  Charlestown  &  our  Br. 
Harris  again  appeared  as  the  Orator,  on  the  24th.  Col.  Revere 
enters  into  the  Spirit  of  it,  &  enjoys  it. 

26.  Sunday.  Mansfield  Burrill,  jun"^  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Brother 
Randall  of  Newbury  Port,  Brethren  at  Sea.  Benj*  Archer  &  Wife, 
d.  of  his  brother  absent  with  him,  pr.  his  return,  &  Brethren  at 
Sea. 

27.  All  persons  are  speaking  of  the  uncommon  fertility  of  the 
season.  Twisse  who  lived  on  the  Neck  37  years,  says  he  never  saw 
the  like.     No  Farmer  dares  to  say  that  the  grass  is  not  abundant. 

29.  Made  an  experiment  at  fishing  from  the  end  of  Vincent's 
walk*  in  Shallop  Cove.  Paid  the  expences  of  a  Singing  School  at 
the  Master's,  but  few  of  our  young  men  appeai'ed  on  the  occasion, 
tho'  many  of  our  young  women  attended. 

30.  M""  Tytler,  a  Scotch  Emigrant  by  the  way  of  Ireland,  who 
wrote  an  answer  to  Thomas  Paine's  Age  of  reason,  in  Ireland,  has 
in  this  Town  written  an  answer  to  the  second  part,  which  is  now 
offered  to  the  printer.  It  is  said  that  it  will  be  patronised.  The 
Band  of  Instruments  were  at  my  house  this  evening.  The  per- 
formance was  pleasing.  We  have  shared  a  few  censures  from  a 
rough  man. 

July  3.  [1796]  Sunday.  Mehitable  Valpy,  delivery,  pr.  for 
husb.  Joseph  at  Sea.  The  Bass  Viol  is  transferred  into  new  hands. 
The  first  performer  has  just  learnt,  &  has  given  the  slip  in  the 
fashion  of  such  performers. 

'Second  floor  of  the  Market  House. 
tBope  walk. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  191 

4.  The  only  celebration  in  this  Town  of  4  July,  was  the  hoist- 
ing of  a  Flag  upon  the  Top  of  the  New  House,  which  E.  H.  Derby 
is  building  in  Essex  Street,  At  the  Catechising  of  the  Females, 
there  were  present  111,  chiefly  below  12  years  of  age.  I  distrib- 
uted to  each  a  copy  of  Zollikofer  which  had  been  printed  at  my  re- 
quest from  his  exercises  of  piety  for  a  child  &  youth. 

6.  At  the  catechising  this  day  of  the  males  126  were  present,  so 
that  the  whole  of  both  sexes  this  time  were  237. 

6.  News  from  Philadelphia,  that  W"'  King,  belonging  to  a  good 
family  in  this  Town,  after  having  dragged  his  family  from  Town  to 
Town,  left  a  note  that  he  was  going  to  drown  himself  &  disappeared. 
It  is  supposed  that  he  means  to  ramble  unincumbered.  The  family 
are  to  return  to  Salem. 

7.  Capt.  Very  bound  for  Alexandria,  in  a  Schooner  from  this 
port,  with  Lime,  &  other  freight,  took  fire  from  water  which  got  at 
liis  lime  &  his  Schooner  burnt  to  the  water's  edge  &  was  totally 
lost.  It  happened  in  the  ofling  within  Baker's  Island  in  the  evening. 
Nothing  was  saved  but  the  sails,  &  the  remains  of  the  hull  are  be- 
low Mackerel  Cove. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Fiske  &  Wife  &  Family,  death  of 
his  only  g.  child  Putnam  &  pr.  for  only  Son  at  Sea.  Sarah  Keheue, 
d.  of  her  only  child,  pr.  Husb.  &  Father  at  Sea.  Susannah  Rue,  d. 
of  her  g.  child  Keheue,  Husb.  at  Sea.  Jonathan  Archer  tert.  & 
Wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  brethren  at  Sea. 

11.  Visit  to  the  Schools.  Nothing  remai'kable  in  the  exhi- 
bitions. Col.  Harthorne  is  determined  on  a  public  exhibition  in  the 
Court  H.  on  the  next  annual  visit.  There  is  a  want  of  spirit,  &  ex- 
ertion in  the  present  arrangement  &  process. 

13.  M'^  Lydia  Hodges,*  long  infirm,  died  in  Childbed,  or  rather 
miscarrying.  She  had  a  fit  on  Saturday  night,  with  some 
apoplectic  appearances.  She  had  been  very  sick  last  fall,  &  danger- 
ously ill  with  Rheumatic  Complaints.  Received  my  Artillery  Elec- 
tion Sermon  from  Boston. 

14.  The  inferiour  Court  in  Town.  A  curious  M''  Lane  from  Bed- 
ford in  Town  to  sell  Anthems.  A  curious  Captain  Thomas  Webb 
of  this  Town,  a  remai'kable  man  ag.  the  Treaty,  is  selling  off  all  his 
goods,  from  a  disagreement  with  his  wife,  determined  to  abandon 
his  country.  A  singular  character  indeed.  Capt.  J.  Very  who 
made  an  attempt  to  get  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  &  returned,  has 
made  a  good  voyage  to  the  West  Indies. 

16.  Capt.  Gibaut  tells  me  that  he  had  private  orders  to  execute 
in  his  Ship  at  Canton,  amounting  to  4,000  dollars,  for  the  little 
elegancies  of  life.  What  would  once  have  been  a  good  stock  in 
Trade  in  this  country.  So  rapid  are  om*  Strides  to  wealth  &  luxury. 

17.  Sunday.     Notes.     John  Hodges  &  Children,  d.  of  his  d.  in 

*Daagbter  of  Benjamin  Gale  and  wife  of  Capt.  George  Hodges. 


192  DIARY  OF  [July 

Law  Hodges,  Son  at  Sea.     Hannah  Webb,  d.  of  her  Sister  Hodges, 
Husb.  &  Brother  at  Sea. 

18.  The  first  voyage  from  Charleston,  S.  C.  round  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  was  finished  by  the  Friendship  in  June  last.  She  was 
gone  only  7  months.  The  Trade  to  the  Isle  of  France  to  which  she 
went,  &  to  the  East  Indies  now  extend  through  all  the  great  Towns 
of  these  States. 

19.  Went  with  Capt.  Gibaut  to  Boston  to  enjoy  the  Commence- 
ment time.  Capt.  Gilaaut  gave  me  many  anecdotes  of  great  conse- 
quence in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  some  of  our  most  reputable  men 
abroad,  who  have  given  notes  for  sums  of  money  in  Canton,  which 
they  have  taken  no  pains  to  discharge. 

20.  The  Commencement  was  attended  by  Crowds  of  the  people 
of  every  condition.  For  the  first  time  all  the  services  were  given 
together,  &  the  whole  services  finished  before  they  left  the  Meeting 
house.  They  were  spoken  of  with  respect,  tho'  partial  politics  & 
low  fun  are  not  essential  parts  of  such  entertainment.  In  the  Hall 
the  guests  were  rather  noisy,  but  the  day  &  evening  passed  pleas- 
antly away. 

21.  M""  Shapely,  the  Librarian,  permitted  me  to  enjoy  myself  in 
the  Library.  I  find  few  new  things.  The  additions  are  not  regu- 
larly made  &  the  works  are  chiefly  private  donations. 

22.  Spent  part  of  the  day  in  Cambridge  &  returned  to  Salem  in 
company  with  a  young  graduate  of  this  year,  J.  Pickering,  Son  of 
the  Secretary,  who  was  upon  a  visit  to  his  friends  in  Salem. 

24.  Sunday,  Notes.  James  Brown  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  pr. 
for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

29.  Capt.  J.  Orne  arrived  from  Batavia,  lost  two  men,  who  died 
at  that  place  &  left  two  at  Isle  of  France  sick.  We  hear  by  him  of 
Webb  &  J.  F.* 

31.  Sunday.  Had  sight  of  Tytler's  Book  against  Paine.  He 
talks  of  himself  as  at  least  of  equal  rank  with  Paine  &  writes  on  & 
writes  on,  satisfied  that  he  has  written,  &  has  another  work  in 
hand,  which  is  his  last  work  for  the  world,  for  men  have  written  a 
great  deal,  but  have  not  yet  found  out  the  way  to  write. 

August  2.  [1796]  M""  Law  has  new  formed  his  Music  School 
from  the  object  of  particular  singing  for  religious  societies,  to  the 
mere  teaching  of  the  art,  which  is  a  commendable  exchange.  Sing- 
ing has  never  been  taught  in  New  England  as  a  Liberal  Art,  in 
public  schools,  but  by  private  tuition.  Our  Song  Singers  are  gen- 
erally self  taught  &  sing  best  alone.  By  learning  music  upon  a 
large  scale,  real  advantages  are  to  be  hoped.  M""  Law  has  not  the 
extent  of  the  plan.  But  he  teaches  the  Rules  without  regard  to 
performance  in  the  churches,  tho'  by  Psalmody   only. 

3.  Went  to  see  a  Ship  of  300  Tons  launched  at  New  Mills, 
Danvers.     I    went  with  M'  Smith   in  his  small  boat  up  the  River. 

•John  FiBkA,  jr. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.   D.  193 

Upon  Royal  side  we  saw  the  inlet  which  goes  up  to  Beverly  road 
&  is  now  called  3Iill  river,  we  then  passed  Greenes  wharf  now 
standing,  &  soon  came  to  Cressi/s  Cove.  On  Northfield  side  we 
passed  Orne's  point,  &  soon  came  to  Broad  Cove,  &  then  to  Shij}- 
ley's  Cove,  &  then  passed  Horse  pasture  point,  &,  opened  the  inlet 
which  goes  to  Goodale's  Spring.  We  passed  on  Royal  side,  Jacob's 
point,  &  on  the  opposite  side  Crane's  j^oint  running  out  from  Endi- 
cot's  Neck  between  Duck  river,  which  passes  under  the  New  Bridge 
erected  by  M"^  Reed,  &  prepared  for  his  intended  Iron  Works,  & 
Crane  river,  upon  which  the  New  Mills,  &  Causeway  are  erected. 
Porter'^s  river  at  Porter's  Neck  point,  opposite  to  Crane  point,  runs 
under  the  new  Bridge  leading  from  Danvers  to  Beverly,  &  by  the 
Neck  it  is  seperated  from  Crane  River.  We  had  a  pleasant  sight  of 
the  launching.  Between  Shipley's  Cove,  &  Horse  pasture  point 
there  is  a  small  inlet,  where  formerly  one  Manning  had  a  wharf,  & 
near  it  were  Clay  pits  &  kilns,  named  Melancholy  cove  from  an  ac- 
cident by  which  a  man  was  drowned  in  it  very  early  in  the  time  of 
the  settlement. 

6.  Extreme  caution  will  not  answer.  I  am  again  called  in  ques- 
tion in  a  little  family  dispute,  &  I  am  between  the  parties.  They 
pretend  they  have  found  something  which  needs  explanation. 

9.  Association  met  at  D'  Bernard's.  I  returned  to  my  old  place. 
D'  Clarke  made  the  first  prayer,  &  D""  Thacher  the  sermon.  The 
meeting  was  full,  chearful  &  happy.  Sent  to  me  a  large  worm 
called  green  worm,  found  in  our  gardens,  from  3  to  4  inches  long, 
with  4  red,  &  8  yellow  points,  &  with  six  feet  before  &  eight  larger 
on  the  body,  with  corresponding  points  of  blue  to  those  on  the  back, 
&  head. 

11.  Went  with  some  friends  upon  the  water.  We  left  the  town 
at  five  in  the  morning,  breakfasted  on  Marblehead  side,  below 
Naugus'  head,  then  passed  between  Grey's  rock  &  Eagle  Isle  out 
upon  the  outer  breakers. 

In  our  voyage  being  short  of  clams,  some  of  the  company  went 
in  search  of  them  at  Coney  Island  Ledge.  The  tide  was  returning 
&  they  obtained  some  very  large  muscles.  The  Clams  are  large  & 
the  muscles  upon  this  ledge.  We  returned  just  after  nine  in  the 
evening,  after  calms,  rowing  &  at  last  a  head  breeze. 

13.  A  long  spell  of  warm  weather.  I  went  &  bathed  at  Block 
House  point  twice  in  the  course  of  this  day. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  Edw.  Archer,  her  delivery.  Brethren  at 
Sea.     And.  Sleuman,  her  delivery.  Brother  at  Sea. 

17.  This  day  the  frame  of  the  Cupola  upon  the  North  Meeting 
H.  was  raised,  which  takes  the  place  of  the  ponderous  steeple  which 
was  lately  taken  away.     It  is  about  30  feet  in  the  place  of  70  feet. 

18.  A  Robert  Laurie  of  the  Gut  of  Cancer  writes  to  a  friend  in 
this  Town  that  after  many  years  study  he  has  found  out  a  method 
to  determine  Longitude,  by  sea  or  land  "  within  one  third  of  the 


194  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

Arch  of  a  great  Circle  upon  the  Equator."  A  long  letter  from 
Professor  Ebeling  lays  me  out  a  great  scene  of  duty  in  providing 
Books  in  return  for  his  donation,  &  in  examining  his  work. 

19.  M'  Bowditch  was  kind  enough  to  fill  up  my  List  of  minis- 
ters of  this  Town,  so  that  that  article  is  complete.  M"^  Norris  has 
lent  me  another  volume  of  the  Town  records. 

21.  Sunday  Notes.  Eb.  Prebble  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Sister  Cod- 
man  at  Portland.  Sam^  Kopes  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Sister  Pierce  in 
Salem,  Son  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Seeth  Ropes,  d.  of  her  Sister* 
Pierce,  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Jane  Wyatt,  pr.  for  a  child 
dang,  sick  with  a  fever. 

22.  Our  accounts  from  Newbury  Port  represent  that  the  Town 
has  been  much  alarmed  by  the  Fever.  19  have  died  since  its  ap- 
pearance, &  only  two  who  have  had  it,  have  recovered.  The  dead 
are  removed  instantly  upon  their  decease,  &  attendance  is  hard  to 
be  obtained.  Families  are  moving  out  &  yet  only  two  were  sus- 
pected of  having  it,  on  Sunday  evening  last.  The  Town  had  a 
meeting  on  Saturday,  to  take  every  precaution.  The  alarm  is 
greater  than  the  evil,  which  is  serious. 

23.  Beverly  Clock  &  Dials  are  up.  They  have  made  a  happy 
exchange  for  their  miserable  former  Bell. 

28.  Sunday.  Jane  Wyatt,  with  her  Son,  d.  of  her  youngest 
Son,  Pr.  for  friends  absent.  Sarah  Wyatt,  d.  of  her  g.  son,  &  pr. 
for  friends  at  Sea.  Ruth  Newton,  sick,  Son  long  absent  at  Sea. 
Andrew  Ward  &  Wife,  delivery,  pr.  for  Brother  &  friends  at  Sea. 

29.  At  the  request  of  M"  Joy  attended  the  funeral  of  her 
Father  from  the  Charity  House.  He  was  Brother  of  that  Fisher- 
man drowned  at  Point  of  Rocks  last  winter. 

Attended  from  the  Charity  house  the  Funeral  of  James  Leslie  of 
N.  Y.,  a  young  man  of  very  indiscreet  behaviour,  who  has  lately 
arrived  in  Capt.  J.  Orne  from  Batavia.  He  belonged  to  the  Church 
of  England,  &  was  attended  by  the  minister  of  that  communion  in 
his  dying  moments. 

31.  The  Pump  near  our  house  was  taken  up,  &  the  water  besides 
a  most  filthy  smell,  had  become  black,  &  completely  dyed  the  Tim- 
ber of  the  Pump  of  the  same  colour.  The  cause  has  not  yet  been 
discovered. 

Sept.  1.  [1796]  Hearing  much  of  the  malignant  fever  in  New- 
bury Port,  &  wishing  to  hear  with  my  own  ears,  what  was  said  in 
that  place,  as  well  as  the  state  of  the  Inhabitants,  I  listened  readi- 
ly to  a  proposal  from  D'  Little  to  take  a  seat  in  a  Chaise,  in  which 
he  was  going  to  Newbury  Port  near  which  was  the  place  of  his  na- 
tivity, &  in  which  he  had  his  medical  education  under  D"^  Swet  who 
was  a  victim  of  the  disease.  We  left  Salem  about  ten  o'clock  & 
dined  at  Ipswich  at  the  States  Arms.  Before  dinner  we  visited 
Rev<*  M""  l3ana,  who  was  at  his  father's  house,  &  who  belonged  to 

*8arah,  wife  of  Jenitbmiel  Peirce,  and  daughter  of  Benjamin  Ropes. 


1796J  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  195 

Newbury  Port.  This  Gentleman  was  supposed  to  have  had  the 
symptoms  of  this  fever,  &  is  now  upon  the  recovery.  Upon  our 
arrival  near  the  Town  we  stopped  at  the  father's  House  of  D''  L.,  & 
finding  the  family  at  Lecture  in  the  old  town  we  thought  we  would 
stop  at  the  old  meeting  to  hear  what  D"^  More  the  Minister  had  to 
say  about  the  fever.  A  young  man  Pierce,  candidate  in  Salisbury, 
preached.  We  found  the  alarm  was  great.  We  rode  into  Newbury 
Port  &  stopped  at  Davenport's  &  there  found  M'  Marquan,*  so 
famous  for  his  bold  imagination.  He  had  a  servant  sick  of  this 
fever,  a  negro,  &  in  a  high  delirium.  He  had  left  his  house,  but 
was  afraid  to  leave  it  with  the  negro,  who  had  torn  his  bed  to  pieces, 
&  such  men  as  were  sent  to  watch  him.  Marquan's  account  did  not 
want  colouring.  We  found  Water  street  shut  up  by  a  chain  &  that 
M'  Carter,  &  M""  Mycall  were  the  only  persons  who  had  courage  to 
tarry  in  it.  We  found  the  Town  much  deserted,  &  there  had  been 
public  religious  services  for  several  days  successively.  We  sought 
the  Clergy,  &  with  Messieurs  Cary  &  Andrews  I  spent  an  hour. 
They  could  only  assure  me  of  the  facts  of  the  deaths,  &  alarms, 
without  any  reasonings  upon  the  matter.  I  then  went  in  search  of 
Captain  Joseph  Noyes.  His  house  was  shut  up,  &  his  family  had 
gone  to  Hampton.  I  found  him  at  his  son's,  &  as  he  was  one  of 
the  Health  Committee,  I  by  his  request  accompanied  him  to  the 
Town  house  where  the  Health  Committee  continued  assembled  all 
day.  Capt.  Noyes  was  present  with  D"^  Swetf  when  he  died.  D"" 
Swet  was  taken  by  vomiting  on  Saturday,  &  determined  upon  his 
own  fate  upon  the  first  discharge.  D'^  Sawyer  visited  him,  but  did 
not  prescribe,  &  I  have  not  yet  heard  what  method  D'  Swet  ob- 
served. A  coldness  in  the  extreme  parts  was  observed  on  Monday, 
but  the  D'  died  on  Tuesday.  He  rose  by  his  own  strength  on  the 
bed,  spake  to  Capt.  Noyes,  turned  himself,  &  without  stretching 
himself,  sunk  instantly.  The  body  had  rather  a  purple  appearance 
at  death,  which  soon  changed  for  yellow  spots  on  all  parts  of  the 
body.  He  was  buried  decently  the  next  day,  but  since  that  time 
there  has  been  an  hearse  provided,  &  Coffins  for  instant  burial  with- 
out any  ceremony.  The  D''  died  16  Aug.  After  this  fact  my  next 
enquiry  was  into  the  origin  of  the  Fever.  I  had  visited  the  family, 
but  did  not  think  it  proper  to  make  any  enquiries  respecting  the 
Doctor's  opinion,  or  conversation.  Abroad  it  was  agreed  that  the 
D"^  imputed  it  to  putrid  fish  belonging  to  M"^  Atwood,  near  the  place 
in  which  the  fever  spread.  It  seems  that  on  31  ^lay  there  arrived 
near  this  place  a  vessel  from  Jamaica,  &  on  the  homeward  passage 
several  men  died  of  the  yellow  fever.  The  vessel  was  unladed  on 
1  June,  having  only  a  few  puncheons  of  rum  on  board.  The  people 
say  that  all  the  cloaths  belonging  to  the  dead,  near  to  them  on  their 
sickness  were  thrown  into  the  sea.     The  reports  of  any  deaths  from 

•Marquand. 

tDr.  John  B.  Swett. 


196  DIARY  OP  [Sept. 

visits  to  this  vessel  are  denied  by  the  Health  Officers.  They  say 
that  the  pilot  is  living,  the  inspector  living,  all  reports  to  the  con- 
trary not  with  standing.  They  say  that  Capt.  Mulberry  took  all 
the  precautions  in  his  power.  On  the  other  hand,  they  say,  that 
where  this  putrid  fish  was,  &  the  vessel  did  lay  at  the  same  place, 
have  been  all  the  instances  of  mortality,  &  that  there  are  no  fair 
examples  of  its  being  conveyed  to  any  persons  who  have  not  been 
actually  upon  the  spot.  They  begin  the  effects  of  this  malignant 
fever  so  late  as  at  the  15  of  June.  The  Physicians  concur  in  these 
facts.  No  persons  attending  the  sick  have  actually  suffered.  Since 
the  15  of  June  26  persons  had  died  at  this  time,  13  males  &  13  fe- 
males. At  nine  in  the  evening  we  left  the  Town  of  Newbury  Port, 
for  Newbury. 

2.  We  left  Newbury,  &  went  into  Byfield  parish  to  see  the  Man- 
ufactory. We  were  introduced  by  M""  Perkins*  to  the  Apartments. 
We  first  reached  the  house  in  which  this  ingenious  Mechanic  lives, 
on  our  left.  We  then  came  to  the  new  building  intended  for  grist  & 
boulting  mill,  &  passing  the  house  for  the  workmen  we  reached  the 
large  manufactory,  which  stands  on  a  stream  emptying  into  Parker's 
river,  which  is  above  a  mile  from  the  Academy.  Below  we  saw  the 
house  for  dying  their  woolens  on  the  left,  &  on  the  right  we  saw 
the  house  for  sheering,  &  beyond  the  Great  Manufactory  was  a 
blacksmith's  Shop.  The  Manufactory  is  large,  of  three  upright 
stories,  besides  a  loft.  On  the  lower  floor  there  is  a  partition.  The 
bands  pass  over  a  Cylinder  moved  by  the  water  works,  &  communi- 
cate with  the  Nail  machines,  &  pass  also  through  the  floor  &  move 
the  Carding  Machines  above.  In  the  nail  manufactory  we  first  came 
to  the  machine  for  cutting  the  plates,  which  did  the  work  very  ex- 
peditiously. They  were  four  machines  for  the  brads,  &  then  a  ham- 
mer for  heading  of  the  nails.  The  whole  was  done  in  a  masterly 
manner.  The  second  loft  was  occupied  by  the  Carding  Machines 
&  Jennies,  &  the  Third  by  the  Weavers  on  one  side  &  the  spinners 
on  the  other.  On  the  upper  loft  &  on  the  one  side  of  the  partition 
below,  were  deposits  for  their  wool,  &  yarn.  In  the  Sheering 
House  we  saw  many  specimens  of  their  Woolen  Cloths,  which  ap- 
peared to  be  good.  They  weave  7  1/4  wide  &  they  use  altogether 
the  Spring  shuttles.  In  sheering  they  prefer  the  sheares  moved  by 
the  right  hand  onward,  &  commanded  by  a  spring  moved  by  the 
left,  the  one  blade  rests,  &  the  other  cuts  at  a  considerable  angle. 

3.  The  probability  of  the  uafection  from  the  fish  was  confirmed 
at  Newb.  port  in  their  minds,  by  similar  facts  at  Portsmouth,  & 
lately  at  Sandy  bay,  as  well  as  by  the  testimony  of  D""  J.  Pringle 
upon  the  Jail  fever.  In  my  absence  I  was  chosen  one  of  the  Health 
Committee  of  Salem,  &  last  evening  I  was  with  the  Committee. 
We  have  20  members  including  the  Selectmen,  &  are  subdivided 
into  5  Committees  with  our  days  for  attendance  respectively. 

♦Jacob  Perkins.    For  biographical  sketch,  see  Essex  Antiquarian,  Vol.  II.,  p.  69-74. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  197 

4.  Sunday.  Note.  Joseph  Joy  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  father  Mars- 
ton  &  her  mother  delirious. 

11.  Sunday.  John  Webb  &  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of  his  Son 
Stephen  at  Sea,  &  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea. 

13.  The  Association  Meeting  was  at  my  House.  M'  Curwen  & 
D'  Little  were  invited.  Forbes  preached.  Present,  Fuller,  Story, 
Hubbard,  MacKeen,  D'' Prince.  We  had  a  very  pleasant  day,  & 
seperated  in  peace. 

15.  A  Brother  under  full  sail,  came  to  invite  me  to  an  installa- 
tion at  Roxbury.  But  as  he  neither  told  me  his  commission,  nor 
his  office,  I  got  him  on  board  as  soon  as  I  could,  with  a  belly  full 
of  good  liquor,  and  on  the  current,  with  a  heavy  sea  roll,  he  took 
his  departure,  &c. 

19.  Had  a  most  severe  reprimand,  &  some  licentious  reflections 
for  the  delay  of  a  family  visit,  tho'  I  have  been  very  attentive  hith- 
erto, &  had  ample  apologies  for  it,  &  surely  no  ill  intention. 

20.  M""  j\[''Keen  left  me  the  following  questions,  some  time 
since.  What  is  the  number  of  people  in  your  society  ?  Ans.  about 
1300.  What  is  the  mean  niunber  of  annual  deaths  at  home  ? 
Ans.  24.  61  have  died  abroad  besides.  What  is  the  mean  number 
of  Births  annually  ?     48  baptisms,  nearly  corresponding  to  Births. 

21.  After  dinner  took  my  compass  &  pencil,  &  went  for  a  walk 
by  the  new  Mills  to  Beverly,  to  return  by  Essex  Bridge.  The  North 
Field  Bridge  has  been  lately  repaired  by  a  M"^  Woodkins.  The 
Draw  no  longer  rises  by  Levers  &  ropes  over  head,  but  by  balances, 
&  a  crank  below.  It  appears  strong  enough.  The  leaves  rest 
against  each  other  &  depend  on  the  strength  of  the  work  behind 
them.  North-fields  do  not  appear  in  a  very  flourishing  condition. 
The  fields  belong  chiefly  to  non  residents,  &  the  houses  are  occupied 
not  by  the  most  industrious  citizens.  After  we  pass  the  cross  roads 
the  Negro  houses  appeared  very  decent,  especially  compared  with 
them  in  Town.  At  M""  Gardiner's,  in  Danvers,  we  find  a  decent 
building.  The  present  owner,  since  his  purchase  from  Bradish,  has 
much  changed  the  appearance  of  the  house  &  Land.  Below  at 
the  Bridge,  which  is  handsomely  repaired,  the  mill  works  go  on 
well.  On  the  southern  shore  all  the  frames,  &  sluices  are  prepared 
for  the  water  works,  &  on  the  north  side,  the  foundations  are  nearly 
complete.  Much  of  the  waterworks  are  finished,  such  as  the  water 
wheels,  trundles,  &c.  From  this  spot  I  walked  to  M'^  Reed's* 
house,  which  fronts  south,  but  is  quite  north  of  the  top  of  the  hill, 
&  upon  the  descent,  &  so  looses  much  of  the  front  prospect,  &  gains 
nothing  behind.  It  was  built  for  a  farm  house  upon  30  acres  of 
Gov.  Eudicott's  farm  sold  by  his  heirs.  Another  part  of  the  farm 
which  included  the  whole  neck  between  Duck  &  Crane  river,  is 
alienated  with  its  farm  house  to  Col.  Sprague  of  Salem.  A  third 
division  on  the  S.  W^.  is  yet  retained  by  the  heirs  of  Endicott.    W^e 

•Nathan  Bead,  M.  C. 


198  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

visited  this  man  who  was  of  the  seventh  generation  from  the  Gov. 
At  the  door  we  found  the  Gov.'s  dial,*  which  was  in  copper,  a  very 
fair  impression,  &  in  the  highest  order.  It  was  marked  "  William 
Bowyer,  London,  Clockmaker,  fecit.  I.  1630.  E.  (the  initials  of 
the  Grov.'s  name).  On  the  gnomon  on  one  side  Lat.  42,  &  on  the 
other  Salem.  We  entered  the  house  which  had  nothing  to  recom- 
mend it,  &  saw  the  old  family  picture  of  G.  Endicott.  Copies  have 
been  taken.  One  I  have  seen  in  the  Senate  Chamber  &  another  at 
Col.  Pickman's,  Salem.  It  is  hardly  to  be  discovered.  The  face  is 
the  only  part,  which  is  not  entirely  gone.  The  canvas  is  chiefly 
bare.  We  then  passed  into  the  Cornfield  to  find  the  Site  of  the  old 
Mansion.  We  found  that  this  house,  gone  before  the  memory  of 
any  persons  living,  was  upon  the  descent  of  the  hill  facing  south- 
ward. The  place  of  the  Cellar,  which  is  to  be  seen  is  distinguished 
by  an  apple  Tree  growing  on  it.  Behind  was  a  building  for  the 
family  servants,  &  domestic  laborers,  the  place  of  which  is  now  to 
be  seen.  There  is  a  fine  prospect  in  front,  &  a  gentle  descent  to  a 
little  creek,  in  which  the  Gov.  kept  his  Shallop.  Tradition  says 
there  was  a  walk  to  this  place  with  damson  trees  &  grape  vines  so 
thick  that  a  person  might  walk  unobserved.  These  have  all  been 
gone  for  many  years.  This  place  was  called  the  Gov.  Orchard  as 
he  planted  early  Trees  around  his  house.  There  is  only  one  Tree 
left,  which  bears  the  Sugar  Pear,  &  by  tradition  was  planted  in 
1630.  It  is  in  front  of  the  site  of  the  House,  it  rises  in  three 
trunks  from  the  ground,  &  is  considerably  high.  It  is  much  de- 
cayed at  bottom,  but  the  branches  at  top  are  sound.  I  brought  away 
some  of  the  pears  &  engaged  such  as  remain,  to  be  brought  to  my 
house  to  send  to  the  Governour  of  the  Commonwealth.  There  is  a 
beautiful  spring  near  Crane  river,  just  before  we  came  to  the  gate 
on  the  road. 

I  then  took  leave  of  M"^  Reed,  after  observing  the  fine  shag  bark 
which  grew  upon  his  land  &  which  formerly  abounded  on  this  farm, 
&  passed  the  New  Mills  upon  the  Bridge  beyond  the  Meeting  House 
over  Porter  River  the  main  Branch.  At  the  Bridge  I  passed  into  a 
path  at  the  head  [of]  a  Creek,  &  soon  reached  another  Creek  not 
far  from  a  north  Course  from  the  river.  At  the  head  of  the  second 
Creek  I  passed  through  some  woods  on  an  east  course,  &  found  a 
third  Creek  running  nearly  up  to  Rial  Side  road.  Just  beyond  a 
small  brook  descends  from  the  southern  part  of  Brown's  Hill.  On 
the  right  of  the  road  was  a  small  burying  ground,  belonging  to  the 
Leaches  whose  farm  house  had  a  very  decent  appearance.  Passing 
on  &  seeing  mean  houses,  some  with  the  old  shattered  diamond 
glass,  I  reached  the  top  of  the  rising  ground  opposite  to  Crane  neck, 
having  all  the  country  open  on  this  side  of  the  river,  land  poor  & 
only  5  Trees  in  the  whole  view  of  the  river.  50  years  since  this 
parish  could  vie  with  the  southern  parish,  &  the  most  independant 

*Now  in  the  museum  of  the  Essex  Institute. 


GOVERNOR   JOHN    ENDECOTT. 
Frorri  the  Original    Painting   iq  the   Possessioq  of  Williani  C.    Endicott, 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  199 

Farmers  lived  on  these  grounds  so  celebrated  in  the  early  history. 
After  a  few  civilities  in  Beverly,  I  returned  to  Salem,  &  reached  it 
before  the  clock  struck  6. 

23.  A  M'' Lane  with  our  singers.  Great  disturbance  around  the 
Singing  School.  Such  is  the  insensibility  characteristic  of  some 
young  men,  that  they  will  venture  into  places  from  which  they  are 
utterly  prohibited. 

25.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Harthorne,  d.  of  g.  child  of 
Col.  Harthorne's  two  children  yet  sick,  friends  at  Sea.  Joseph  Vin- 
cent &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Sister.  Mehitable  Byrne,  her  delivery. 
Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 

27.  Visited  at  Beverly,  &  with  the  Ladies,  went  to  the  spot  on 
which  old  fort  Derby  stood.*  We  crossed  the  fields  from  the  street, 
&  passed  down  to  the  beach  below  Hale's  grove.  We  left  the  Grove 
on  our  left,  passed  below  the  sluice  of  a  water  mill,  till  we  reached 
an  entrance  at  a  pair  of  bars.  We  then  ascended  Woodberry's 
head,  which  was  covered  with  trees,  in  wild  luxuriance,  but  not 
with  a  very  profitable  growth,  being  chiefly  small  locust,  a  few  oak, 
&  one  or  two  walnuts.  Following  in  the  path,  we  reached  the  other 
side  of  the  head,  where  we  found  a  new  wharf  covered  with  wood 
from  the  eastward.  Here  we  entered  a  road  leading  into  the  great 
road  of  Mackerel  Cove.  We  crossed  it  &  kept  on  in  a  cart  track 
towards  the  place  of  the  old  fort.  We  passed  below  high  water 
mark,  for  the  access  to  the  Fort  Hill  must  be  difficult  at  full  tide. 
We  left  a  small  marsh  on  our  left,  which  unites  the  Head  land  to 
the  Main.  We  then  passed  along  on  the  side  of  the  Hill,  leaving 
a  wharf  on  the  western  side  filled  with  stones  but  not  finished,  & 
walking  round  the  western  side  we  reached  the  top  of  the  hill.  The 
prospect  was  very  extensive.  We  returned  on  our  own  steps,  met 
the  children  coming  out  to  us,  &  got  home  at  Tea.  The  distance 
about  a  mile,  in  the  way  we  went.  On  the  Fort  Hill  we  found  two 
Fish  Houses,  but  as  the  whole  Hill  of  several  acres  was  all  ploughed 
up  &  planted,  &  as  a  new  breast  work  was  erected  here  in  the  late 
revolution,  unless  some  antient  settler  had  been  with  us,  it  would 
have  been  impossible  to  distinguish  by  any  marks  where  the  fort 
stood,  or  how  it  was  built.  Jeffrey  Massy  had  leave  very  early  to 
plant  &  to  plow  here,  as  soon  as  the  Settlement  progressed  up  the 
river,  &  on  Salem  side,  which  permission  laid  an  early  foundation 
for  the  distruction  of  the  Fort. 

28.  Capt.  B.  Webb  was  kind  enough  to  favor  me  with  some  of 
the  preserved  Mangoustan,  about  as  large  as  a  small  orange  & 
having  six  flutes  in  the  form  of  it.  The  fruit  is  laxative  but  the 
shell  is  not  so.  A  tea  made  of  it  good  for  dysentery.  Brought 
from  Java.  He  presented  to  me  also  the  Bird  of  Paradise,  or 
Manucodiata,  one  of  the  thread  pulled  out  by  the  Children,  as  it 

•Dr.  B.  was  in  error,  I  tbink,  concerning  the  locality  of  this  fort.  See  Hiat.  Beverly, 
p.  13.    B.  M.  S.  March  20, 1847.    [Pencil  note  by  Bdwin  M.  Stone.] 


200  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

hung  out  beyond  the  wings.     So  called  by  natives  as  the  bird  of 
God.     Portugais  call  it  bird  of  the  sun. 

29.  Took  Fontaine  Gibaut's  boys  with  me  &  plentiful  stores  & 
went  to  Medcalf's  at  Clay  Brook.  I  then  visited  the  hospital,  & 
afterwards  with  Medcalf  travelled  over  the  great  pasture.  We  first 
reached  the  monument,  or  hill  with  three  piles  of  rocks  upon  it ; 
then  we  passed  to  Lord's  Hill,  on  the  west  side  of  which  is  AUis- 
ter's  run  &  the  site  of  Allister's  house.  We  then  passed  by  Bally- 
hack  to  Lynn  wall,  passed  into  the  Sheep  pasture  &  reached  Spring 
pond.  The  spring  now  choacked  up  with  leaves  &  dirt,  furnished 
us  no  draught  of  its  mineral  waters.  All  the  Stones  round  the  pond 
bear  evident  marks  of  the  iron  in  this  neighbourhood.  Upon  our 
return  we  passed  down  the  southern  side  of  Spring  pond  &  crossed 
the  rough  ground  till  we  came  to  our  old  path  at  Lord's  Hill  & 
thence  went  to  Medcalf.  Jenny  Briscoe  had  prepared  our  dinner  in 
a  very  neat  manner  &  in  a  variety  of  conversation  we  passed  time 
till  five  o'clock  &  then  returned  to  Town. 

30.  This  morning,  the  young  man,  Joseph  Dunham  of  Saco,  died 
in  our  hospital,  into  which  he  was  carried,  from  having  the  Small 
pox.  It  is  represented  that  he  died  without  distress,  having  been 
all  night  apparently  in  a  sleep. 

Oct.  1.  [1796]  We  find  Murray,  the  Universalist,  at  Portland. 
He  had  left  Boston  for  the  present  under  the  imputation  of  the 
lowest  vices.  Of  a  criminal  correspondence  with  the  wife  of  Col. 
Greene,  as  appears  by  her  confession  as  she  apprehended  upon  her 
death  bed.  Much  must  be  attributed  to  prejudice  which  is  ad- 
vanced against  him.  Such  are  these  characters  introduced  among 
us. 

2.  Sunday.  Note.  Euth  Newton,  prayers,  dang,  sick  in  the 
Charity  house.     An  unhappy  woman  in  the  conduct  of  life. 

3.  By  an  attempt  to  enquire  into  the  Crowninshield  family  from 
Leipzig,  we  find  there  were  three  sons,  John,  Kichard,  &  Clifford, 
the  first  &  the  last  settled  at  Salem,  early  in  this  Century,  Rich- 
ard settled  at  Attleborough.  Some  natural  descendants  of  Clifford 
are  at  Marblehead,  descended  from  a  natural  child  of  Clifford,  who 
was  at  first  called  John  Diman,  after  his  mother,  but  married  by 
the  name  of  his  reputed  father.  The  ancestor,  Johannes  Casper 
von  Richter  von  Kronenscheldt,  must  have  arrived  before  1700. 
His  son  John  born  in  Boston,  Jan.,  1697.  Last  night  the  wind  was 
so  high,  as  to  blow  into  the  Cellar,  the  store  lately  removed  by 
Adams  down  the  Street  laid  out  by  Williams  from  the  Common. 
The  building  is  much  injuried.  It  was  a  proper  North  East  Storm. 
The  rain  was  not  pouring  but  constant.  We  have  not  so  many  of 
these  as  we  used  to  have. 

5.  The  Overseers  are  busy  in  making  a  new  platform  before  the 
east  School  &  digging  a  new  vault  upon  the  Common,  near  the 
place  on  which  the  old  one  stood.     They  promise  next  season  a 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  201 

yard  to  inclose  the  School  &  a  fence  against  which  the  Gun  house, 
Engine  House,  &  other  buildings  may  stand  &  not  ag.  the  Lots. 

9.  Sunday.  M''  "Whitman  [of  Pembroke]  preached  in  the 
evening  service  an  excellent  sermon,  which  was  very  acceptable. 
Notes.  Mary  Berry,  death  of  her  G.  child,  pr.  for  son  at  sea. 
Mary  Berry,  d.  of  her  child,  Husband  at  Sea.  Thomas  Williams, 
d.  of  his  wife  in  his  absence,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea,  &  th.  for  his 
own  happy  retin-n.  Joshua  French,  d.  of  his  mother  Cout  of  town), 
Son  at  Sea.  Martha  Harrington,  delivery.  Husband  &  friends  at 
Sea. 

10.  Rode  with  M'  Whitman,  in  company  with  Messieurs  Briggs, 
Father  &  Son,  &  Capt.  Terry,  to  see  the  bridge  at  Duck  river,  New 
Mills,  Beverly  factory  &  to  return  by  Essex  bridge. 

11.  Rode  with  Rev'*  Hubbard  to  association  at  Dan  vers.  Wads- 
worth's.  M""  Whipple  prayed,  &  M""  Oliver  of  Beverly  preached. 
Whipple  is  dismissed  at  his  own  request  from  Alexandria,  N.  H.  & 
is  preaching  at  Squam,  Gloucester.  M''  Oliver  laid  his  affairs  be- 
fore us  for  advice.  The  question  upon  which  we  divided,  was, 
whether  Oliver  could  agree  to  a  dismission  &  have  it  ratified  by  a 
Council,  without  an  enquiry  into  the  cause,  &  then  have  a  claim 
upon  the  Council  for  a  recommendation  as  a  Minister  after  having 
been  dismissed  without  such  enquiry.  Which  I  thought  ought  not 
to  be.  M"^  Oliver  is  deserted  by  almost  all  his  congregation  &  they 
have  covered  their  estates  from  the  Parish  Tax  by  joining  other 
denominations. 

12.  I  left  Salem  for  Roxbury,  where  I  engaged  to  appear,  tO' 
deliver  a  discourse  to  the  Masonic  Brethren,  upon  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Lodge  called  Washington  Lodge  in  that  place.  I  did  not 
find  my  friend  Winthrop  at  Cambridge,  nor  Rev^  Porter  at  Rox- 
bury. I  therefore  put  on  to  Dorchester  to  Brother  Harris's.  Lib- 
eral as  I  once  thought  his  opinions,  I  find  him  willing  to  fetter 
himself  &  almost  abjure  his  former  friends.  Clarke  was  deserted 
by  many  at  his  last  visit,  &  the  zeal  of  the  people  excludes  Harris 
from  the  Boston  Association.  He  who  once  preached  for  Freeman, 
now  exchanges  with  Stilman.  He  has  built  a  very  large  House, 
which  has  embarassed  him,  but  it  is  expected  that  his  Father  in 
Law  Dix  will  help  him  through.  j\I"  Morton  was  building  a  new 
house  upon  the  road  &  Dorchester  seems  much  more  rich  in  build- 
ing upon  the  great  Road. 

13.  In  the  morning  I  left  Harris'  &  rode  to  Roxbury  &  left  my 
Horse  at  Simeon  Pratts.  At  Roxbury  arrangements  were  made  for 
the  Consecration  &  installation.  The  Senior  G.  Warden  made  an 
address  in  the  Lodge.  It  was  my  office  to  Consecrate  &  make  the 
Prayer.  W'e  left  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  Meeting  House  after 
two  o'clock.  The  service  was  opened  by  the  band  of  music,  an 
address  was  delivered  by  Brother  Dix,  then  an  Hymn  given  from 
Barbault  by  Brother  Harris.     Then  the  Rev*^  M'  Porter  of  the  Par- 


202  DIABY  OF  [Oct. 

ish  made  a  prayer  &  My  discourse  followed.  I  closed  the  service 
with  a  prayer.  We  then  retired  to  the  Hall  &  from  there  were 
conducted  to  a  dining  room,  accompanied  by  Judge  Sumner,  Gen. 
Heath,  the  Selectmen,  Town  Officers,  &  private  Gentlemen,  with 
200  brethren.  The  dinner  was  in  good  order.  Brother  Boardman 
graced  the  entertainment  by  the  best  executed  vocal  music  &  the 
whole  closed  before  sundown  with  great  harmony  &  public  satis- 
faction. The  evening  in  good  company  was  spent  at  Judge  Sum- 
ner's, at  whose  house  I  had  an  elegant  supper,  &  a  jovial  evening, 
&  retui-ned  &  lodged  with  M''  Porter. 

14.  I  delivered  upon  importunity  a  copy  of  my  discourse  for  the 
press  &  left  Roxbury  &  went  to  Boston.  Brother  Freeman  told  me 
that  he  had  received  500  dollars  towards  printing  Unitarian  Books 
&  that  he  proposed  to  begin  with  Priestley's  Corruptions.  He  has 
a  plan  to  employ  &  not  to  expend  the  fund,  by  disposing  of  Books 
enough  for  the  expence  &  reserving  enough  for  donations. 

15.  Judge  Sumner  assured  me  that  upon  the  best  authority  at 
Hadley,  it  was  declared  that  the  skeleton  of  a  man  was  found  in 
the  wall  of  the  cellar  of  M''  Russel  the  minister,  supposed  to  be 
the  body  of  one  of  the  regicides. 

16.  Sunday.  Capt.  Penn  Townsend,  returning  with  Capt.  Jn° 
Archer  from  Boston  on  a  Coasting  voyage,  was  thrown  overboard 
by  the  sheet  of  the  mainsail  &  was  drowned  off  Nahant.  Notes. 
Elizabeth  Maservey,  d.  of  her  Mother.  Wid.  Nancy  Brown,  d.  of 
her  Mother  Maservey,  pr.  Son  at  Sea.  Mercy  Welman,  d.  of  Sister 
Maservey,  pr.  Sons  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Bartlet  &  her  Husband,  d. 
of  Sister  Newton,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  In  my  absence  died  Ruth 
Newton  set.  70,  not  of  my  society,  but  at  death.  Also  M"  Meser- 
vey.  She  was  a  Welman,  had  been  long  feeble,  set.  73.  She  lived 
the  latter  part  of  her  life  at  her  Son  in  Law  Osgood's. 

18.  In  company  with  Capt.  Collins  of  Liverpool,  Nova  Scotia. 
He  faults  Des  Barres  Charts,  because  they  have  changed  &  neg- 
lected the  old  names  by  which  places  are  laid  down  upon  that 
Shore.  Because  he  has  placed  too  far  southerly  Cape  Sable  &  the 
Island,  20  miles.  Because  he  has  placed  the  island  before  Liver- 
pool, almost  in  the  middle  of  the  Entrance.  He  gives  the  prefer- 
ence to  Cooke's  drafts  of  the  Labrador  Shore,  which  he  has  found 
to  be  particularly  accurate.  The  same  Cooke,  who  was  afterwards 
circumnavigator. 

21.  Capt.  IngersoU  from  Cape  Fourchu,  with  several  passengers 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  enquire  for  some  of  our  New  England  preach- 
ers. The  runners  of  that  country  are  most  contemptible  charac- 
ters. Capt.  Ingersoll  speaks  of  visiting  a  place  near  Canso,  called 
Vine  Harbour. 

22.  The  Northfield  Bridge  did  not  answer  the  purpose  upon 
Woodkin's  projection,  at  full  tide.  His  balance  was  distroyed 
when  the  works  were  under  water. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  203 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  Martha  Townsend  &  Son,  death  of  Hus 
"band  suddenly.  Jonathan  Twist  &  wife,  d.  of  her  father  Chapman, 
Beuj*  Hutchinson  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Sister  Hitchins  in  Boston,  pr. 
two  Brothers  absent,  &  friends  at  Sea,  also  th.  for  her  delivery. 
Rebecca  Millet,  her  delivery,  pr.  husband  Brethren  at  Sea. 

24.  M""  Twisse  tells  me  that  he  is  63  years  of  age,  &  that  about 
his  tenth  year  his  G.  grandfather  died.  Peter  Twisse  died  about 
70  years  of  age  so  that  coming  young  into  our  country  from  Edin- 
burg  in  Scotland  he  must  have  come  at  the  close  of  the  last  Centu- 
ry. His  Son  Peter  died  in  Danvers  &  the  grand  Son  John,  father 
of  the  present  Jonathan.  M""  Chapman  his  wife's  Father,  died 
last  week  aged  87.  Yesterday  afternoon  died  Miles  Ward  in  the 
old  mansion  house  of  Richard  Derby. 

25.  Young  Hutchinson  back  of  his  Blacksmith's  Shop  upon  the 
entrance  of  Long  or  Union  Wharf  has  opened  a  fish  market  &  has 
a  15oat  in  his  own  name.  This  is  the  first  covered  place  I  have  yet 
seen  for  this  purpose. 

27.  The  intended  street  from  Winter  Street  to  William's  new 
Street,  does  not  obtain  from  the  objection  from  those  who  have 
claims  on  Williams  Land.  A  curious  man,  who  has  money,  in  Bev- 
erly, objects  to  his  minister,  that  any  divine  who  is  Doctor  should 
preach  in  their  desk,  &  for  the  present  it  has  prevented  a  commu- 
nication of  that  sort.     His  name  is  Burley. 

28.  Applied  to  Capt.  Giles  of  Beverly,  lately  from  Bristol,  to 
be  introduced  to  the  two  Catawbas  which  have  returned  in  his  ves- 
sel. This  is  one  of  the  tribes  upon  which,  at  great  expence,  civil- 
ization has  been  tried.  They  have  a  town  upon  the  River  of  the 
same  name,  which  empties  at  the  K.  E.  quarter  of  S.  Carolina  into 
the  Wateree  &  discharges  from  the  Santee  into  the  Sea.  They  are 
addicted  to  intemperance.  I  am  to  see  them  on  the  morrow.  Their 
Names  are  White  Wire,  Kianacky,  &  Green  Bird,  Kutchinwhy. 

29.  My  two  Indians  came  to  see  me.  They  told  me  their  tribe 
had  500  ;  now  no  King,  but  a  General.  The  Green  Bird  said  his 
name  was  Cap'  Harris,  the  other  John  Stevens.  They  dined  with 
me  &  I  accompanied  them  homewards  as  far  as  the  Bridge.  The 
Interpreter  who  honestly  told  me  that  he  had  been  upon  the 
Theatres  in  England  &  Ireland,  said  he  went  to  England  only  to 
get  a  little  money.  He  was  frank  &  quite  intelligent  &  spoke  Eng- 
lish freely.  M"^  Jasper  Bentley,  a  Candidate  for  the  ministry,  was 
with  me  &  has  promised  to  see  me  again  soon.  He  is  in  a  School 
at  Danvers. 

30.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Babbidge,  aged,  sick,  pr.  for 
friends  at  Sea.  Benj*  Ward,  d.  of  his  Brother  Miles,  pr.  for  friends 
at  Sea.     Mary  Bateman,  delivery,  Husband  at  Sea. 

31.  The  Compliment  intended  to  M""  D.*  by  the  Printer,  which 
I  only  put  into  form,  operated  very  different  effects  from  those  in- 

•Elias  Hasket  Derby.  See  Salem  Gazette,  Nov.  28, 1796. 


204  DIARY   OF  [N0V»~ 

tended.  He  went  to  the  Printer,  not  with  modesty  to  refuse,  but 
impud.  to  challenge  his  right  to  put  him  in  his  paper.  He  com- 
plained to  a  parishioner  that  he  could  not  buy  a  twig  but  it  was 
published,  &  that  he  would  let  me  know  his  mind.     A  wretch. 

Nov.  1.  [1796]  M""  Bentley  was  from  Norwich,  without  father 
or  mother  living.  I  suppose  he  must  belong  to  the  Rhode  Island 
part  of  the  family.  Three  families  came  early  into  this  country,  the 
first  into  Virginia,  my  G[rand]  F[ather]  into  Boston,  1711,  & 
the  other  into  Rhode  Island.  My  G.  F.  has  told  me  that  his  Father 
was  a  Lieut,  in  Col.  Clayton's  Regiment.  At  least  he  was  in  the 
service  of  Queen  Ann  under  the  D.  of  Malborough.  Was  ordered 
to  Canada  &  died  upon  this  expedition  at  his  arrival.  My  G.  Father 
was  then  brought  to  Boston.  S''  John  Bentley  was  at  Nova  Scotia 
in  the  next  war. 

2.  Dunlap's  Ship,  to  be  commanded  by  John  Gibaut,  was- 
launched  at  Becket's.  We  were  agreeably  disappointed  in  a  good 
launch,  for  at  this  yard  they  have  repeatedly  failed.  An  Epitaph 
which  will  come  in  use.  If  to  live  without  morals  &  die  without 
religion,  be  a  praise,  he  deserved  it  in  an  eminent  degree,  A  Certain 
Clergyman.  To  converse  on  one's  own  troubles  before  uncertain 
friends,  is  to  fix  their  purposes  never  to  be  truly  sincere.  Gave  M'" 
Daland,  W"  Robins  to  Elizabeth  Cox,  18  Aug.  1771,  from  Church 
Book. 

3.  M'  Tytler*  still  lives  at  the  New  Fort,  apparently  destitute 
of  all  means  of  subsistence.  His  writings,  his  chymical  works,  & 
all  his  pretentions,  do  not  give  him  ambition  enough  to  accept  offers 
to  render  him  comfortable. 

4.  Capt.  Benajah  Collins  of  Liverpool,  Nova  Scotia,  tells  me 
that  Capt.  Johnson  of  that  place  asserts  that  he  has  lately  had  two- 
new  teeth  in  his  76  year.  He  is  a  man  of  fine  constitution  & 
usually  goes  to  bed  intoxicated.  This  puts  us  in  mind  of  the 
Countess  of  Desmond. 

5.  M"^  W.  Winthrop  was  with  me.  He  has  the  plan  of  a  Cata- 
logue formed  upon  that  triennially  published  by  the  University  of 
Cambridge,  in  which  he  intends  to  insert  the  Profession,  residence 
&  death  &  age  of  all  who  have  received  the  honours  of  the  Uni- 
versity.    He  had  all  the  assistance  I  could  give  him. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Andrew  Preston  &  Wife,  d.  of  a  grand 
daughter,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea. 

7.  I  have  now  to  conflict  with  an  unprincipled  man,  because  I 
granted  a  plan  of  the  Town  Wharves  to  another  man,  who  happens 
to  be  engaged  in  a  dispute  with  said  man.  Ignorance  is  a  curse 
when  armed  with  power. 

8.  The  Supreme  Court  opened  this  afternoon.  After  the  usual 
articles  of  Charge  the  Chief  Justice  Dana  remarked  upon  the  slan- 
ders  against   great   characters   in   the    service   of   their    Country,, 

•James  Tytler,  1747-1804,  author. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  205 

&  recommended  that  nuisances,  as  much  as  possibly  could  be  done, 
should  be  removed  from  Towns  &  Highways. 

9.  M''  Pickering's  Answer,  as  Secretary  of  State,  to  Adet,  is  be- 
fore the  public.  It  is  little  short  of  a  charge  of  bad  faith  in 
the  french  &  it  is  an  over  charge  of  dishonourable  conduct  in  the 
Minister  in  the  publication.  It  explains  silence,  because  it  was  the 
best  way  to  bear  insults  from  inferiours,  or  servants. 

10.  The  Controversy  between  Crowninshield  &  Derby  occupy  the 
public  attention.  It  is  before  the  Court  which  is  thronged  on  the 
occasion.  Can  the  people  of  S.  be  considered  as  a  well  informed 
people,  except  in  the  ensign  Staff,  or  do  bodies  loose  their  dazzling 
greatness  by  approach  ? 

11.  The  aitair  of  Derby  &  Crowninshield  was  determined 
against  Crowninshield.  He  is  to  lose  the  last  addition  of  12  feet  to 
his  wharf.  Capt.  Jno.  Collins  was  foreman  of  the  Jury.  The 
Judges  were  full  against  C.  Mess.  Derby,  W.  Gray,  Jno.  Hodges, 
«S:  the  most  respectable  citizens  were  witnesses  against  C.  that  the 
channel  actually  did  run  under  the  Wharf,  or  where  it  is  now  built. 

12.  The  affair  of  Very  at  Court.  He  suborned  A.  Lefavre  to 
sware  that  there  was  a  carnal  communication  between  this  simple- 
ton &  a  woman  for  the  purpose.  The  Court  granted  a  divorce  to 
the  woman  but  he  was  taken  for  adultery.  Many  persons  signed  a 
petition  in  his  favour  believing  him  to  be  a  dupe  of  his  own  artifice, 
&  the  fool  of  Lefavre,  &  he  was  acquitted. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Wyatt,  herself  sick.  Nath.  Phippen, 
Son  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  eldest  Son.  He  &  Son  returned  from  Sea. 
John  Berry  &  Wife,  d.  of  youngest  Child.     He  returned  from  Sea. 

14.  The  funeral  of  M'"^  Eunice  Harraden,  Daughter  of  Rev. 
James  Diman,  eet.  45.  Haraden  had  been  master  of  the  Marine 
Society.     The  Members  generally  attended  &  preceded  the  Corps. 

15.  M''  Williams  was  married  the  third  time  last  Sunday  night 
&  has  not  exceeded  thirty  years  of  age.  He  appears  now  to  have  a 
tine  woman  who  may  out  last  him.  A  Fire  in  Boston  last  Sunday, 
in  which  Folsom  the  Printer  was  a  great  sufferer. 

17.  Plummer,  a  droll  fool,  has  published  an  elegy  upon  the  suf- 
ferings at  Newbury  Port,  like  that  upon  M'^  Murray,  &  hawkes 
them  with  success. 

18.  A  man  named  John  Punchard  has  been  very  busy  at  work 
with  the  points.*  He  has  them  to  sell  &  he  has  just  brass  &  iron 
enough  to  employ  them  freely.  He  has  been  in  several  parts  of  my 
society  &  some  he  has  deluded,  to  the  experiment,  I  trust,  but  not 
to  the  purchase. 

19.  This  evening  I  went  with  M""  Jasper  Bentley  to  his  Lodg- 
ings at  D""  Clevelands  in  Danvers.  The  Tractor  Points  &  not  the 
five  pointst  were  the  subject. 

*Dr.  Elisba  Perkins'  patent  metallic  tractor  points. 
tTtae  five  points  of  Calvinism. 


206  DIARY  OF  [Nov. 

20.  Sunday.  Notes.  Abigail  Lambert  &  children,  d.  of  eldest 
Son,' set.  14,  Husband  &  brethren  at  Sea.  Mary  Cox,  d.  of  Mother 
Eunice  Whittemore,  Husb.  &  Friends  at  Sea.  Margaret  Edwards^ 
delivery,     Husband  at  Sea. 

21.  On  the  3*^  died  Col.  John  Low,  set.  69,  of  Gloucester.  He 
has  been  a  very  useful  man,  in  all  public  employments,  &  had 
been  a  selectman  40  years.  He  has  been  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, &  was  in  the  Convention  both  of  the  State  &  United 
States  Constitution. 

22.  The  Gazette  tells  us  that  in  Middleton  in  our  neighbourhood, 
in  four  months  four  persons  have  died  bet.  86  &  90.  There 
are  now  living  nearly  30  persons  from  75  to  80  years  of  age,  & 
about  12  from  80  to  90,  upon  a  population  of  600  souls.  Prince 
Hamilton,  a  Negro,  called  Connecticut  Governour,  died  last  week  in 
the  Almshouse,  aged  85. 

24.  Serious  purposes  are  professed  of  an  aqueduct*  from  Spring 
pond  to  this  Town.  Upon  the  plains  at  Danvers,  just  above  the 
Town,  they  have  had  success  for  a  few  Houses.  Proprietors  in- 
tended at  first,  but  now  a  Subscription  is  open  for  the  whole  Town. 
The  work  will  probably  succeed,  but  the  form  is  doubtful. 

25.  The  first  snow  for  this  year.  This  day  celebrated  by  the 
Ropemakers.  They  supped  together  at  the  Ship  &  had  military  mu- 
sic with  them  as  they  marched  through  the  Street. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Chever,  prayers  on  death  of  her 
Sister  Wyatt.f  Wid.  Jane  Wyatt,  d.  of  her  Mother  in  Law.  Tim- 
othy Wellman,  d.  of  her  mother  Wyatt,  pr.  for  son  at  Sea.  WiUiam 
Patterson  &  wife  for  her  delivery. 

28.  M'  Eliot  of  Boston  dined  with  me,  &  spent  the  afternoon. 
He  preached  for  Prince.  By  him  I  hear  of  our  friends  at  Boston  & 
the  current  reports  of  the  day. 

30.  Dined  this  day  with  Esq'  Pulling,  with  the  regular  Clergy 
&  principal  Gentlemen  of  the  Town.     Conversation  free  &  happy. 

Dec.  4.  [1796]  Sunday.  Madam  Gardner^:  gave  me  some  account 
of  M'  Robert  Stanton,  first  Minister  in  our  Society.  He  had  a 
piercing  eye,  was  tall,  graceful,  ready  in  conversation,  chearful, 
open,  &  censured  without  real  blame.  Was  rather  too  gay  for  a 
minister.  He  was  athletic,  could  leap  with  great  ease,  &  move  with 
great  activity.  He  was  fond  of  gunning,  as  his  sport.  He  was 
blamed  as  imprudent.  A  Goody  Beadle,  who  lived  in  Essex  Street 
in  a  house  from  the  street,  bet.  Curtis  &  Herbert  Streets,  was  noto- 
rious for  her  shrill  voice  in  calling  her  son  Jonathan  at  Stage 
Point.  The  Parson  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  good  woman 
by  an  exact  imitation  both  of  the  loudness  &  shrillness  of  her 
voice.     She  would  never  be  reconciled.     He  lived  in  the  house  of 

•See  Essex  Institute  Hist.  OoUs.,  Vol.  II,  p.  105. 

tSarah,  wife  of  William  Wyatt,  and  daughter  of  James  Chever. 

{Mrs.  Mary  (Pickering),  wife  of  Jonathan  Gardner. 


1796]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  207 

the  parent  of  my  informant,  before  he  married,  and  was  very  apt 
to  divert  himself  with  the  little  incidents  of  life.  Upon  seeing  a 
sick  child,  of  which  he  was  fond,  he  burst  instantly  into  tears.  He 
was  much  beloved.  He  married  a  g.  daughter  of  Barton,  of  Boston, 
near  Barton's  point,  &  died  of  a  violent  fever.  Upon  being  quoted 
by  a  Clergyman  for  what  he  never  said,  to  the  disadvantage  of  his 
interest,  when  told  of  it  he  replied,  I  will  not  unnecessarily  contra- 
dict it.  I  had  rather  suffer  in  the  opinion  of  my  friends  for  a 
wrong  judgement,  than  that  a  useful  man  should  suffer  in  his  moral 
reputation  for  what  I  hope  is  the  first  offence.  He  was  from  Stone- 
ington  in  Connecticut. 

5.  Rev**  S.  waited  upon  me  with  the  Comp.  of  D''  P.*  with  his 
metallic  points.  I  thanked  him  for  his  own  &  the  Dr's  civility,  but 
assured  him  I  was  too  great  an  unbeliever  to  feel  at  liberty  to 
receive  them.  He  told  me  that  he  had  had  a  less  courteous  recep- 
tion from  the  Episcopal  Church,  who  had  entered  his  house,  pro- 
nounced the  offer  an  insult,  called  the  D""  an  impostor,  &  after  much 
abuse  left  the  house  without  civility  to  any  person  in  it.  In  the 
evening  was  arraigned  as  a  preacher  over  people's  heads,  with  such 
like  insinuations,  to  the  sore  wounding  of  my  spirit.  But  I  bore 
it  from  an  old  man  a  la  mode  de  Pretre. 

6.  Supped  with  several  of  the  Clergy  &  private  gentlemen  at 
M'  Micah  Webb,  just  married.  Conversation  various.  I  left  my 
hat  in  the  affray.  The  Col.  insisted  that  it  was  his  own,  tho  his 
own  was  different  as  the  form  could  make  it.  The  Col.  owned  in 
the  morning  that  he  thought  it  best  not  to  stop  to  see.  One  of  our 
Brethren  plead  hard  for  hidden  iniquity.  Fame  said  he  may  blew 
both  her  trumpets,  he  should  not  interfere  &  blow  them  for  her.  A 
good  old  Puritan  was  hardly  accounted  to  believe  Priestley's  piety, 
because  it  was  too  exeentric  to  be  sincere,  while  a  hearty  Brother 
said  yes  to  every  good  natured  opinion  he  thought  that  he  might  be 
supposed  to  understand.  The  Lady  did  the  honours  of  the  house 
very  well  &  we  all  arrived  safe  at  our  homes. 

7.  Last  night  the  wind  was  high.  Several  persons  were  drowned 
in  Marblehead  harbour,  in  an  attempt  to  get  on  board  a  vessel. 
Damage  was  done  in  Boston  &  there  were  great  apprehensions  for 
Vessels  known  to  have  been  in  the  Bay.  We  suffered  nothing  in 
this  Town. 

8.  This  evening  our  fire  Club  annual  supper.  Men  of  quite 
opposite  political  views  assemble  &  associate  on  the  occasion.  Says 
one,  how  finely  Adet  was  drubbed  in  the  Centinel.  The  french  are 
deceitful.  In  another  chair  a  whisper.  Parson,  how  some  people 
curse  the  french,  such  as  you  would  not  think  of.  I  hope  Jefferson 
will  obtain  the  election,  &  be  president.  I  say  nothing,  however. 
Says  another,  have  you  seen  the  new  ed.  of  the  Forresters,  a  new 
chapter  gives  the  Jacobins,  the  title  of  Mother  Carey's  chickens, 

•Perkins. 


*208  DIARY  OF  [Dec. 

&c.  A  good  supper  hushed  all  jealousies,  &  good  wine  cheered  the 
heart.  But  unluckily  brandy  was  served  to  some  through  mistake. 
I  drink  no  spirituous  liquors,  &  therefore  could  laugh  over  my 
beverage  as  much  as  I  thought  decent. 

9.  By  an  agreement  with  Capt.  Joshua  Ward  &  Capt.  B.  Car- 
penter went  on  foot  to  visit  the  Iron  works  at  Duck  River.  A  Capt. 
Webb,  lately  from  France,  joined  us.  We  found  the  Tripp  Hammer 
in  the  Southern  Building  ready  for  work  &  a  forge,  which  had  its 
bellows  moved  by  water.  They  had  begun  their  furnace  in  the 
northern  building  &  had  raised  the  chimney  to  the  roof.  The  Bricks 
near  the  fire  were  supplied  from  Gay  Head  at  Martha's  Vineyard, 
from  what  is  called  Pipe  Clay,  tho'  coarser  than  what  is  usually 
employed  in  that  service.  The  Sand  of  their  Mortar  was  supplied 
from  an  island  in  Ipswich  river  towards  Wenham.  The  Smiths 
were  at  work.  There  were  sluices  provided  for  two  other  hammers 
in  the  Southern  Building  &  the  wheel  was  intended  to  carry  a 
Cylinder  upon  which  the  machines  for  Cut  nails  were  to  work.  The 
work  is  yet  in  its  infancy.  M""  Barrett,  the  Smith  from  Bridge- 
water,  who  is  preparing  the  iron  work,  says  that  the  wood  work  is 
upon  the  plan  of  their  works  in  the  old  Colony,  but  the  Iron  work 
much  larger.  He  hopes  to  show  us  something  much  more  perfect 
in  a  month.  Capt.  Osgood  has  the  direction  of  the  business.  They 
bought  M"^  Reid  out,  at  his  bills,  for  the  land,  repairs  of  the  Bridge, 
&  expences  amounting  to  one  thousand  pounds.  Then  M""  Reid 
bought  in.  There  are  50  shares  &  the  whole  expence  is  expected 
to  exceed  thirty  thousand  dollars.  Major  Sprague  is  now  the  largest 
proprietor. 

15,  Died  this  Morning,  Capt.  W.  Wyatt,  unexpectedly.  He 
buried  his  wife  three  weeks  since  from  whom  he  had  lived  long 
seperated,  &  kept  on  board  his  Coasting  Sloop  in  which  he  freighted 
from  Salem  to  Boston.  He  lived  many  years  in  this  way.  Last 
season  on  account  of  his  infirmities  he  left  his  business  &  tarried 
at  home  in  the  house  of  his  Son  in  Law  Welman.  He  has  been 
failing,  but  he  is  one  of  the  examples  of  rapid  decay  after  leaving 
an  old  employment. 

11.  Sunday.  Widow  Sullivan,  d.  of  her  Son,  pr.  for  friends  at 
Sea.  Capt.  Wyatt  buried  in  the  evening  &  the  procession  of  the 
Marine  Society  on  the  occasion.  He  has  been  lately  received  as  a 
member.  It  is  said  Capt.  W.  expected  to  have  formed  new  connec- 
tions. 

12.  Determined  to  enquire  of  M""  Barrett,  the  Smith  at  Duck 
River,  to  obtain  a  wooden  alarm  clock  from  Bridgewater.  They 
are  made  at  that  place  very  cheap  &  they  answer  a  very  valuable 
purpose  in  the  morning. 

13.  This  evening  preparing  the  music  for  the  Thanksgiving. 
15.     This   was  the  Thanksgiving  Day   of  our   Commonwealth. 

The  service  began  with  instrum  :  music.     Then  Denmark  was  sung 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  209 

after  the  short  prayer.  Addison's  Hymn  of  gratitude  was  then 
sung  after  a  long  prayer.  At  the  time  of  Contribution,  Conquest ; 
afterwards,  Albany,  &  the  service  was  closed  with  instrumental 
music.  The  Contribution  was  of  1111/2  dollars,  including  30 
dollars  sent  from  E.  H.  Derby  Esq^ 

16.  An  application  from  the  Lodge  for  an  address  on  St.  John's 
day.  I  disapprove  the  undertaking  because  an  embarassed  one,  but 
it  is  to  be  in  the  Lodge.  The  difficulties  have  been  removed,  it  is 
said,  &  so  the  matters  end. 

17.  M''  Oliver  of  Beverly  assures  me  that  his  Church  &  Con- 
gregation had  concurred  in  a  mutual  Council  of  9  Churches.  Chosen 
by  the  Church,  D''  Cutler  of  Hamilton,  Dana  of  Ipswich,  Wads- 
worth  of  Danvers  &  INIcKeen  of  Beverly ;  by  the  Pastor,  Emmons 
of  Franklin,  Sandburn  of  Reading,  Hopkins  of  Salem,  &  Parish 
of  Newbury.  Mutually  chosen,  French  of  And  over.  The  Civil 
matters  left  to  a  reference  according  to  Law. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Chever,  d.  of  her  Brother  in  law 
Wyatt.  Sarah  Welman,  d.  of  her  Father  Wyatt,  pr.  Husband  & 
Son  at  Sea.  William  Browne  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  G.  child,  pr.  for 
friends  at  Sea.  James  Browne  &  Wife,  d.  of  youngest  child,  pr. 
Brethren  at  Sea. 

19.  Capt.  W.  Patterson  upon  his  return  from  Issequibo  on  the 
Maine,*  produced  several  things  which  he  had  brought.  The  bows 
&  arrows  of  the  Buck  Indians.  The  teeth  of  the  Agouti,  as  big 
as  a  rabbit,  &  teeth  like  the  Beaver  &  Marmotte.  Two  above  & 
two  below.  He  gave  me  a  Calabash  stained  black  by  the  natives, 
&  cut  with  a  pleasing  foliage.  He  gave  me  also  a  fragment  of  the 
Plymouth  Rock  on  which  our  first  P.  Settlers  landed  in  1620,  Dec. 
20.     He  had  also  a  little  flap  of  the  natives  made  of  white  beads. 

20.  Capt.  Gibaut  sailed  this  day  for  India.  M''  Dunlap  his 
owner  went  passenger  on  board,  for  his  health.  Doubts  of  his  re- 
turn are  entertained. 

21.  Had  an  opportunity  to  see  the  late  edition  of  the  Forresters, 
written  by  D''  Belnap.  I  confess  that  I  read  it  with  great  pleasure. 
The  style  is  a  little  too  much  raised  above  the  subject.  Swift's 
style  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  such  a  work. 

22.  Received  from  Isaiah  Thomas  his  beautiful  edition  of  Char- 
lotte Smith's  poems,  &  his  Almanac  for  the  year  1797.  He  assures 
me  that  the  work  is  his  own  from  the  rag.  His  apology  for  the 
plates  in  the  work  to  an  American  is  satisfactory,  as  we  were,  & 
perhaps  now  are,  behind  all  the  world  in  the  art  of  engraving,  & 
perhaps  also  in  taste  for  good  executions. 

23.  For  the  first  time  was  asked  to  pray  in  a  family  in  the 
evening  after  a  visit.  The  circumstances  were  :  The  head  of  the 
family  had  been  gone  for  several  years.     In  his  youth  it  was  cus- 

■Etaequibo,  od  the  Spanish  M»in. 


210  DiAEY  OF  [Jan. 

tomary.  The  custom  is  now  lost,  but  he  had  not  measured  the 
change  of  manners  with  the  time.  It  always  was  a  salutary  prac- 
tice in  our  country. 

24.  The  grammar  School  Master,  N.  K.*  has  behaved  so  much 
out  of  character  that  he  is  to  receive  notice  from  the  School  Com- 
mittee, that  from  their  own  feelings  &  their  duty  to  their  Constitu- 
ents, they  are  obliged  to  assure  him  that  they  can  employ  him  no 
longer.  The  public  discontents  have  really  become  great.  This 
young  man  is  descended  from  the  well  known  Martyr  John  R.  so 
often  seen  in  our  primmers.f  His  Father  &  G.  Father  were  in  the 
ministry,  but  he  has  not  kept  the  faith. 

25.  Sunday.  Christmas  on  Sunday  &  a  pleasant  day.  Notes. 
Samuel  Leach  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  youngest  Child.  A  Christening 
between  meetings  for  the  first  time. 

27.  This  day  we  celebrated  in  Masonic  order  this  festival.  The 
brethren  were  all  present,  who  could  attend.  I  delivered  an  ad- 
dress on  the  occasion.  We  dined  in  Gen.  Abbot's  Hall.  The 
ofi&cers  were  invested  in  due  form  by  the  Master,  &  the  music,  alto- 
gether vocal,  was  well  performed.  Good  fellowship  prevailed 
throughout  the  day.  The  Ofiicers  invested  by  R.  W.  Master  Pull- 
ing were,  B.  Hodges  &  S.  Derby,  Wardens,  Gen.  Abbot,  Treasurer, 
Master  Lang,  Secretary,  &c. 

28.  I  spent  a  great  part  of  this  day  in  conversation  with  a  good 
old  chatting  woman,  who  travells  on  foot  in  the  neighbouring  Towns. 
From  her  I  got  the  history  of  all  the  prejudices  of  the  neighbour- 
hood. A  fine  memory  enables  her  to  retain,  &  a  love  to  talk,  to  tell 
all  she  knows,  and  her  integrity  prevents  her  from  shewing  any 
but  the  first  impressions  made  upon  her  mind. 

30.  Mr.  S.  Silsbee,  Daniel's  lane,  informed  me  that  a  Spaniard 
died  this  morning  at  his  House,  named  Joseph  Reynier,  left  at  this 
Port  by  Capt.  Keyron  Walsh,  who  has  gone  on  to  Portsmouth  upon 
business.  I  wrote  a  letter  to  him,  at  Mr.  Silsbee 's  request,  respect- 
ing this  man,  whose  effects  were  on  board  a  sloop  freighted  by 
Capt.  Welsh  in  this  port  bound  to  Portsmouth,  &  his  chest  at  Sils- 
bee's. 

31.  The  Spaniard  was  buried  this  day,  he  was  carried  by  some 
young  Seamen.  In  the  past  month  we  have  all  the  appearance  of 
a  severe  winter.  The  ice  now  confines  the  whole  harbour.  The 
ground  is  every  where  covered  with  snow.  The  cold  is  often  se- 
vere &  is  continual.  The  last  day  was  the  more  moderate  day.  The 
weather  changing.  Clear,  clouds  in  every  form,  spits  of  snow,  or 
snow,  in  quick  succession.  But  it  is  healthy.  Few  colds,  or  com- 
plaints.    So  ends  the  year  1796. 

Jan^  1,  1797.  Sunday.  Note.  Peter  Murray  &  Daughter,  d.  of 
his  Mother.     This  day  a  pair  of  new  Silver  cups  appeared  on  the 

•Nathaniel  Rogers. 
tAn  error. 


1797]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  211 

Communion  Table  purchased  from  the  Church  Stock,  receipted  at 
43.75  dollars.  There  was  a  contribution  for  another  pair,  with  suc- 
cess. 

2.  The  Town  voted  last  week  to  purchase  four  engines  for  their 
own  use,  one  of  which  is  already  engaged  at  Philadelphia.  There 
are  four  already  in  the  town,  neither  of  them  large.  There  are  also 
four  Cisterns  in  the  Town  at  the  public  expence,  one  on  the  Com- 
mon, another  at  the  corner  of  old  Court  street,  another  near  Beck- 
ford  street  in  Essex  street,  &  another  at  Buffum's  Corner. 

5.  We  have  news  that  last  Thursday  D''  Caleb  Eea,*  who 
married  a  daughter  of  Capt.  John  White,  died  at  Windham  in  the 
39  y.  of  his  age.  He  has  not  been  long  in  that  Country,  but  re- 
moved to  enter  upon  lands  of  his  Father  in  Law.  Of  late  years  he 
had  become  very  corpulent.     Died  of  a  Fever. 

7.  General  Fiske  had  a  shock  of  the  Palsy,  but  he  has  so  far  re- 
covered as  to  dine  with  his  family  this  day.  Madam  D.  tells  us 
fine  things  of  the  growth  of  the  Brattle  Street  Church.  It  contin- 
ues to  lead  among  the  Congregational  Churches.  Its  fine  organ, 
charming  voice  of  the  Preacher,  situation,  &  proprietors  give  it 
siiccess.  Madam  Rnssel  keeps  up  the  generous  attentions  of  her 
husband  to  the  Minister  &  Society. 

8.  Sunday.  This  will  be  remembered  as  a  cold  Sxmday.  The 
glass  below  12  minus.     The  congregation  thin,  the  service  short. 

9.  Great  danger  of  an  alarm  of  fire.  In  W'"  Eveleth's  house  a 
billet  of  wood  burnt  in  two  in  the  night  &  rolled  out  upon  the  floor, 
which  was  bm-nt  through  &  the  fire  had  reached  a  closet  door. 

13.  This  day  there  Avas  a  plenty  of  Bass  in  our  market.  That 
this  is  not  common  appeared  from  the  readiness  with  which  they 
were  bought  «&  the  many  enquiries  respecting  them  by  many  who 
had  never  seen  them.  The  striped  Bass  were  in  plenty  &  a  few  of 
the  Sea  Bass  were  brought.  I  dined  upon  the  striped  Bass  for  the 
first  time.  Our  Town  was  called  Naumkeag,  or  Bass  Town  from 
this  fish  which  visited  the  River  north  of  the  Town.  But  they  have 
long  since  left  it.  And  D*"  Belnap  says  the  same  of  the  Piscataqua, 
that  the  Bass  have  left  it.  A  Law  was  made  against  the  supposed 
cause,  the  taking  them  at  all  seasons,  but  no  effect  has  been  pro- 
duced. 

15.  Sunday.  Xotes.  Samuel  Brooks  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  mother, 
aet.  72.     Luke  Brooks,  d.  of  his  mother. 

19.  By  suffering  a  log  to  fall  from  my  hands,  I  was  this  day  for 
the  first  time  confined  by  a  wound  on  the  foot  from  my  usual  walks. 

20.  Confined  to  the  house,  I  had  little  enjoyment.  The  un- 
happy state  of  Mr.  M.f  in  Danvers,  humbly  retracting  the  errour 
of  his  Letter  of  reproach  to  all  the  parish,  is  the  subject  of  conver- 
sation. 

•See  Essex  Institate  Hist.  Colls.,  Vol.  XVin,  p.  86. 
tRev.  Samuel  Mead  of  the  Middle  Precinct. 


212  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

22.  Sunday.  Being  stormy,  my  house  was  shut  up.  This  is 
the  fourth  Sunday  of  absence  that  I  recollect  since  I  have  had  the 
direction  of  my  own  life. 

23.  Remarks  have  been  made  that  of  all  the  young  girls  sent 
into  families  to  provide  their  own  maintaiuance  those  who  have 
gone  to  Boston  have  been  the  most  unhappy.  Almost  all  of  them 
have  returned  heavy  laden  to  their  friends  in  Town.  The  difference 
of  morals  is  great,  but  the  force  of  parental  presence  &  advice  is 
greater. 

24.  The  business  of  our  Aqueduct  seems  seriously  undertaken. 
The  second  payment  has  been  notified.  As  the  day  was  mild,  some 
attempts  were  made  to  break  the  ice  in  the  harbour,  which  has  been 
firmly  closed  since  the  23  of  December. 

25.  We  hear  that  the  logs  of  the  Aqueduct  are  to  be  bored  at 
2^  p''  foot  by  Foster  of  Danvers,  so  that  the  business  of  the  Aque- 
duct has  begun  in  earnest.  This  day  was  buried  Robert  Bartlet. 
A  man  of  a  fine  constitution,  but  miserable  in  his  manners  &  con- 
nections. Strangers  have  often  amused  themselves  while  in  Town 
in  hearing  his  Street  Cries.  One  of  them  has  been  applied  to  him 
since  his  death,  "  I  have  sold  all,  &  am  going  home.'^  He  has  sold 
all,  &  gone  home.  A  notice  to  his  Customers,  to  speak  for  clams, 
muscles,  pearch,  &  River  Fish,  next  time. 

26.  Our  Chymist*  at  the  new  fort  has  at  last  consented  to  par- 
take of  the  public  charity.  His  pans  have  not  produced  salt  for 
his  porridge  &  his  medicines  have  not  relieved  him  from  extreme 
indigence.  His  books  are  good  for  worms.  Much  was  said  in  fav- 
our of  his  knowledge  &  much  believed  by  such  as  called  themselves 
thinking  people.  Charity  he  ought  to  have  in  the  tenderest  manner 
but  politics,  for  which  he  pretended  to  fly ;  religion,  which  he  has 
undertaken  to  defend;  &  Philosophy,  of  an  acquaintance  with 
which  he  boasts,  do  not  owe  him  the  least  obligation. 

27.  Capt.  Collins,  as  one  of  the  Committee  of  the  Marine  society, 
called  upon  me.  A  Committee  sometime  since  had  been  chosen  to 
exhibit  [a]  Certificate  for  their  society,  to  be  given  to  their  mem- 
bers. One  had  been  given,  representing  a  wharf,  store,  &  mercan- 
tile business,  but  without  one  circumstance  incident  to  the  Town. 
He  asked  me  to  consider  of  the  design  &  proposed  to  call  upon  me 
with  the  Committee  to  observe  the  result.  I  prepared,  while  thus 
confined,  a  plan  of  a  Certificate,  which  I  communicated  to  W.  Pick- 
man,  Esq.  to  avoid  all  blame  of  interference  with  the  former  plan 
exhibited,  &c.  I  mentioned  to  Collins  the  subject  of  the  Clerk  of 
Enquiry. 

28.  Received  thus  late  a  few  copies  of  my  Discourse  at  Roxbury. 
To  keep  himself  in  countenance  B.  H.  has  inserted  a  number  of  Ti- 
tles which  are  disgusting  to  modesty  &  never  pleasing  in  young  per- 

•james  Tytler. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  21S 

sons.  I  made  an  immediate  circnlation  of  all  such  as  came  to  hand, 
to  lessen  the  wounds  of  that  pride  which  had  nearly  sold  the  bear 
before  he  was  caught. 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joseph  Lambert  &  Wife,  His  safe  return,  d. 
of  eldest  son  abroad.  Elizabeth  Bartlet  &  children,  d.  of  her  husband, 
pr.  for  son  long  absent  &  g.  child  sick.  Robert  Bartlet  &  wife,  d. 
of  his  father,  pr.  for  absent  brother.  Mary  Millet,  her  delivery, 
pr.  for  husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 

30.  We  have  news  of  the  d.  of  General  Glover,  who  lives  upon 
Salem  Gore,  ^Marblehead  side.  He  was  very  useful  in  the  Army 
&  in  the  representation  of  the  Town  of  Marblehead.  He  conducted 
Burgoyne  to  Cambridge.  ]\I'^  IMead  was  escorted  into  Danvers  by 
his  parish  &  an  act  of  obliteration  of  past  offence  has  passed.  We 
have  news  of  our  friends.  One  is  captured  &  another  detained  & 
all  terrified.  The  English  panic  was  scarce  over  when  we  became 
subject  to  the  insolence  of  the  French  Privateers. 

Feb.  2.  [1797]  The  noted  D''  Perkins  has  made  a  good  inter- 
est in  Lands  by  his  points.  An  advertisement  to  a  large  amount  has 
been  made.     So  successful  was  the  opinion,  if  not  the  imposition. 

4.  Mr.  C[arlton]  has  delivered  his  proposals  to  the  public  for 
the  printing  of  Calef  on  Witchcraft.  This  work  is  out  of  print.  It 
was  published  at  the  time  of  this  melancholy  event  &  will  deserve 
to  be  transmitted  to  posterity. 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  Deborah  Sage,  delivery,  pr.  husband  at 
Sea.  This  day  for  the  first  time  our  Communion  table  was  fur- 
nished with  its  own  riches.  Two  pair  of  silver  cups  have  been 
provided.  New  handles  to  the  old.  The  neglect  has  been  unex- 
ampled in  our  old  town  &  has  been  occasioned  by  a  division  of  the 
public  bounty. 

6.  Several  arrivals  by  which  we  hear  of  our  friends  &  receive 
some  of  them  again.  Gibaut  has  reached  Guadeloupe  &  Dunlap  is 
yet  living.     Another  Class  of  Gloucester  Lottery  is  out. 

9.  The  Council  to  be  convened  on  the  affairs  of  Upper  Beverly- 
are  to  sit  in  the  latter  end  of  this  month,  upon  the  affairs  of  Mr. 
Daniel  Olivei*.  The  Hopkinsian  opinions  ai'e  distinguished,  not  so 
much  by  their  intrinsic  character  as  by  the  opposition  of  the  Clergy, 
&  the  divisions  in  all  the  societies  consequent  upon  that  opposition, 
encouraged  or  patronised.  A  young  man  settled  in  this  manner  &  em- 
bittered by  constant  opposition  &  even  abuse,  has  not  the  chance 
which  other  candidates  have  of  a  more  complying  temper.  Upon  a 
fair  estimate  they  are  not  beneath  their  brethren.  If  they  lack  any- 
thing, it  is  a  general  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  opinions. 

11.  News  that  Capt.  B.  Dean  has  suffered  much  on  his  passage 
to  Europe  &  has  put  into  the  West  Indies,  having  lost  several  of  his 
hands,  some  of  which  belong  to  our  society,  &  deprived  of  fathers, 
young  &  rising  families. 

12.  Sunday.     Notes.     Robert  Hiller,   &c.  for  her  delivery,  pr. 


214  DiAPwY  OF  '    [Feb. 

friends  at  Sea.  Hannah  Murray,  delivery,  husband  &  Brother  at 
Sea. 

13.  10  hundred  weight  of  turkies  &  fowls  brought  into  our  mar- 
ket by  one  farmer  this  day.     They  had  been  preserved  in  Snow. 

16.  Mr.  Bodily,  who  has  been  received  at  Newbury,  preached  in 
the  tabernacle  in  this  Town  this  evening.  He  is  troubled  with  a 
wonderfull  inflamation  of  the  nose  &  eyes. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Malcom,  d.  of  her  husband 
abroad,  Pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Catharine  Shad,  d.  of  her  husband 
abroad. 

21.  This  evening  attended  the  funeral  of  Sarah  Lemon,  at.  95, 
from  the  Charity  House.  The  woman  was  of  the  family  of  the 
Hibberts  of  Manchester  &  came  to  Salem  while  a  young  woman,  at 
service,  &  married  John  Lemon,  an  English  subject.  He  left  her  a 
widow  &  she  lived  at  the  western  corner  of  Locust  Street,  on 
Bridge  Street.  The  House  was  taken  down  three  years  ago,  when 
she  was  removed  to  the  Charity  house.  She  has  left  two  daughters, 
one  in  Andover  &  one  in  this  Town. 

22.  Was  celebrated  in  this  Town  the  Birthday  of  General  Wash- 
ington. Sleet  fell  through  the  whole  day.  An  handsome  Oration 
was  delivered  by  M"^  Benj.  Pickman  juu""  &  the  day  was  honoured 
with  festivity.  A  contribution  for  the  poor  was  made  from  the  as- 
sembly after  services,  amounting  to  upwards  of  140  dollars.  After 
dinner,  for  the  Algerine  prisoner,  who  appeared  in  the  Hall,  up- 
wards of  40  dollars.  A  dinner  was  provided  in  the  Charity  house  & 
in  the  evening  a  party  at  Webb's  collected  17  dollars  for  the  pris- 
oner. The  Artillery  fired  at  Sunrise  &  the  Bells  rang.  The  Cadets 
did  the  honours  of  the  day  &  discharged  their  firearms  at  the  pro- 
claiming of  toasts.     Attended  well. 

23.  Messieurs  Rich  &  S.  Derby  introduced  a  young  gentleman, 
who  calls  himself  a  Polish  Count,  named  NERITH,  who  was  taken 
with  Kosciusco  by  the  Russians  &  escaped  from  their  power.  In 
the  evening  was  visited  by  John  Arnold  Schseffer  from  Harris - 
burg,  Penn.,  on  his  way  to  New  Hampshire.  His  property  has  been 
destroyed  by  fire  &  he  brings  certificates  to  entitle  him  to  the  assist- 
ance of  the  Brethren.  His  certificates  say  that  he  was  a  Captain 
in  the  Dragoons,  that  he  had  encouragement  that  he  should  be  on 
the  Peace  Establishment,  that  he  had  a  Commission  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  N.  Y.  State,  Onondaga  C,  that  he  had  been  a  Merchant 
in  N.  Y.,  had  kept  an  Hotel  in  Harrisburg,  Penn.,  had  been  in- 
volved by  bonds  for  other  men,  &  lost  at  last  all  by  Eire,  had  been 
relieved  by  G.  Lodge,  Penn.,  had  paid  his  debts  with  the  money  & 
now  required  assistance  for  life.     (Proved  a  Villain.) 

24.  Mr.  Schseffer's  case  obtained  a  special  Lodge  &  80  d.  were  in- 
stantly collected.  The  stupid  ass  at  the  Tabernacle  keeps  braying 
&  the  severest  satyrs  are  not  distinguished  by  him  from  the  most 
happy  compliments. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.   D.  216 

25.  Emplojed  in  collecting  some  of  the  charity  from  absent 
members.  We  collected  so  as  to  give  100  d.  to  Mr.  Schaeffer  & 
proper  letters  towards  Newbury  Port  &  Ipswich,  to  Swasey  &  D.  A. 
Tyng. 

26.  Sunday.  News  of  a  Five  in  Boston  which  yesterday  con- 
sumed the  Ropewalks  in  West  Boston,  3  walks  &  4  Dwelling  houses. 
We  have  been  remarkably  preserved  from  fire.  Capt.  Forrester  of 
Salem  lost  25  1/2  Tons  of  Hemp  at  £89  pr  Ton.  Reproved  some 
young  men  publicly  this  day. 

March  1.  [1797]  Gibaut,  sailing  for  the  East  Indies,  has  been  at 
Gaudeloupe  &  has  returned  to  New  York  with  Mr.  Dunlap  his 
Owner. 

2.  The  public  attention  has  been  challenged  by  some  satyrs  upon 
a  parson  of  this  town  who  presumed  to  write  about  Washington. 
The  people  have  laughed  so  much  &  so  heartily  as  to  begin  to 
repent. 

3.  ]Mr.  Kendall  visited  me,  he  is  a  Candidate  for  the  ministry, 
educated  at  Cambridge,  from  Athol,  Worcester  County,  Mass.  He 
is  appointed  our  Grammar  School  master  &  was  this  week  inducted 
by  the  Committee.  Mr.  Rogers  was  dismissed  &  has  opened  a  pri- 
vate School. 

5.  Sunday.  A  fire  this  morning  in  Boston  which  burnt  the 
house  of  Mr.  Turner  in  Beacon  Street.  He  is  Son  in  Law  to  Dr. 
Holyoke  of  this  Town.  Notes.  Samuel  Silsbee  &  wife,  d.  of  his 
g.  child  &  Son  at  Sea.  S.  Silsbee  &  W.  jun^  d.  of  his  child  &  pr. 
for  Aunt  Eunice  Flint  sick,  &  Br.  at  Sea.  Wind  uncommonly  high 
&  cry  of  fire  in  the  evening.     No  damage  done. 

6.  A  Mr.  Whidden,  lately  from  Portsmouth,  died  at  Guadaloupe 
on  board  of  Capt.  Gibaut.  He  has  reputable  friends  in  N.  H.,  & 
has  left  a  wife  &  3  ch.  indigent  in  this  Town. 

7.  Took  a  walk  to  Duck  River  to  see  the  Iron  works  there  & 
found  that  an  experiment  had  been  made  &  that  they  expected  to 
be  ready  to  work  next  week.  The  semi  diameter  of  the  water 
wheels  is  11  feet.  They  roll  &  cut  Iron.  The  furnace  is  double,  of 
the  best  clay  &  keyed,  &  all  the  works  substantial.  A  well  has  been 
successfully  sunk  into  the  bed  of  the  river  &  brought  under  the 
cover  of  the  works,  to  supply  fresh  water  for  the  works.  They 
have  a  promising  appearance.  From  the  Iron  works  I  crossed  to 
the  jMills  upon  the  Stream  from  Spring  pond,  called  Butt  brook, 
to  see  the  Logs  which  are  to  be  bored  by  water  works.  The 
first  experiment  has  pointed  out  some  improvements  which  are  now 
making. 

8.  Mr.  Blodget,  aid  to  Gen.  Greene,  &  who  surveyed  Conn.  & 
Vermont,  &  who  has  fine  talents  in  musical  execution,  has  been  long 
the  dupe  of  his  intemperance  &  is  now  in  this  Town  cast  upon  the 
public  charity. 

Intended  for  a  friend  but  suppressed. 


216  DIARY  OP  [March 

Why  S *  making  such  a  pother, 

About  Moses  or  about  any  other. 

Alike  to  thee  are  all  unknown 

St  Francis'  Geese,  or  old  Pope  Joan. 

Let  Negroes  stare,  or  children  weep, 

They'd  be  as  wise,  if  they  should  sleep. 

Let  Asses  cry,  &  Fools  be  sad ; 

Asses  are  sober,  never  mad. 

On  tubs  to  preach  you  are  design'd, 

Be  to  your  fate  quite  well  resign'd. 

To  teach,  or  think,  you  know  not  how, 

But  have  no  blush  upon  your  brow, 

For  thinking  is  a  dev'lish  plan 

To  favour  reason,  &  the  God  in  man. 

Nonsense  is  MYSTERY  throughout. 

And  fools  can  speak  it  without  doubt. 

The  wise  may  laugh,  or  turn  away, 

But  folks  will  think  it  best  to  stay. 

First  think,  then  speak,  is  reason's  voice 

But  to  obey,  you  have  not  your  choice. 

Restraining  grace  with  kind  intention. 

Would  never  let  you  feel  temptation. 

Full  happy  man,  go  on  rejoicing. 

In  all  you  do,  reason  has  no  voice  in. 

Not  malice,  or  the  world  can  say 

This  man  has  reason  led  astray. 

A  Fool  throughout,  in  every  motion, 

Heaven,  once  on  earth,  has  wrought  perfection. 
I  could  not  help  observing  how  a  late  compliment  in  the  Gazette, 
sinks  a  poor  man  from  a  sun  down  into  a  star.  It  is  funny  indeed.. 
It  has  put  me  in  mind  of  a  talkative  man,  praising  a  big  friend. 
"  Faith  "  says  he,  "  he  is  as  big  as  a  hogshead."  Finding  the  sober 
folks  staring,  he  corrects  himself,  "  Well,  he  is  as  big  as  a  Tub,  & 
that  a  large  one."  Fond  of  proving,  he  went  on,  "  For  a  tub  is  part 
of  a  hogshead.  For  if  it  has  lost  its  head  it  still  has  a  bottom ;  &  if 
it  be  not  as  deep,  it  is  certainly  part  of  a  hogs  head,  after  it  is  sawed 
in  two." 

10.  A  Voluntary  watch  joined  to  the  Town  watch  from  the 
appearance  of  suspicious  persons  in  Town. 

11.  A  Trial  or  examination  of  a  Stranger  in  the  Court  house 
upon  suspicion.  He  pleads  to  have  come  from  East  Haddam,  C. 
upon  a  visit  to  his  friends  in  Newbury.  He  was  dismissed  after 
some  enquiries  &  conducted  to  Ipswich. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Martha  Widden,  d.  of  her  Husband  (with 
Gibaut)  abroad  &  children.     Jon*  Millet  &  wife,  her  deliv.,  d.  of  the 

*ReT.  Joshua  Spanlding,  of  tbe  Tabernacle  church. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  217" 

child,  br"  at  Sea.  George  Lassell  &  wife,  d.  of  her  G.  child ;  son, 
George  L.  sick.  This  G.  Son  of  Lassell,  was  a  g.  son  of  his  Wife 
by  a  Crispin,  &  was  a  natural  child  by  John  Jenkins,  whose  name 
he  bore.  He  was  bound  out  from  the  Charity  House  to  a  man  in 
]Vrarblehead  in  the  fishery,  &  was  just  free,  &  went  his  first  voyage 
with  Capt.  Needham  of  Salem,  &  died  of  Small  pox  in  the  Southern 
States.  This  George  Widden  is  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  of  reputa^ 
ble  parents  in  that  place  &  has  lived  four  years  in  Salem.  His  wife 
Martlia  was  a  Haslett  of  the  same  town  &  has  four  small  children 
by  him.     Died  in  Guadeloupe,     Intemperate. 

13.  News  that  Capt.  Gam.  Hodges  is  carried  into  St  Domingo, 
particulars  unknown.     He  was  on  a  voyage  to  the  East  Indian  Seas. 

16.  A  Voluntary  Guard  having  been  proposed  in  the  Upper  part 
of  the  Town  &  a  cheerful  subscription  having  obtained  to  the  de- 
sign by  a  large  number  appearing  to  mount  guard  in  the  order  of 
signing,  fom"  each  night.  A  subs,  was  proposed  for  the  Eastern 
part  of  the  Town  headed  by  General  Abbot  &  signed  by  all  present. 
Highway  robberies  this  week  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Boston, 
besides  attempts  at  fire.  These  are  new  things  in  our  young  Coun- 
try. Speaking  of  windy  weather.  The  last  week  was  compared  to 
the  windy  weather  when  the  Church  Steeple  blew  down,  which  was 
agreed  to  be  in  1740,  July,  upon  the  best  evidence  then  obtained. 
It  was  a  lantern  &  Spire  with  turrets  at  the  corners. 

17.  The  young  man  found  in  Boston  &  apprehended  in  House 
Breaking  is  condemned  to  die.  He  has  appeared  very  penitent. 
Another  has  been  apprehended  in  the  same  manner.  Attempts  to 
put  fire  to  Dwelling  Houses  have  been  repeated. 

18.  Mr.  Norris,  Senator,  from  the  accounts  from  the  Old  Colony, 
has  been  persuaded  to  sell  out  of  the  Iron  works  on  Duck  River. 
The  profit  of  the  Anchor  work  is  more  doubtful  than  of  the  Rolling 
&  Slitting  mills. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joseph  Valpy  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Brother, 
&  friends  at  Sea.  Benj*  Boylston,  sick  in  the  Charity  House. 
Stephen  Cloutman  and  Wife,  her  delivery.  Brother  at  Sea.  Our 
project  of  a  Voluntary  guard  is  in  danger  of  failing  from  the  too 
ready  admission  of  Substitutes  &  Talesmen,  by  which  means  the 
best  Citizens  are  rendered  companions  to  the  servants  of  Gentle- 
men. This  Boylston  was  born  in  England,  came  over  to  New 
Plymouth,  was  there  married  &  has  two  daughters,  one  married  at 
Plymouth  &  another  in  Salem.  He  has  been  15  years  in  Salem,  a 
ropemaker,  &  is  about  72  years  of  age.  His  second  wife  is  with 
him  in  the  Charity  House.  He  is  paralytic  &  has  been  speechless 
two  years.  He  has  been  in  the  C.  House  three  years.  The  Brother 
in  law  of  ^Ir  Valpy  was  Jonathan  Glover,  aged  about  fifty,  who 
chartered  a  Vessel  for  N.  C.  &  had  his  Son  &  Son  in  law  with  him. 
The  Vessel  &  Cargo  were  lost  in  the  late  stormy  Weather  in  N,  C. 
&  J.  G.  the  master  perished. 


218  DIARY  OF  [April 

20.  Took  a  walk  this  morning  to  Duck  Kiver  to  see  the  Iron 
Works  at  work.  There  was  not  a  good  head  of  water  &  the  trip 
Hammer  struck  90  times  in  a  minute.  It  is  said  to  have  struck  120 
times  with  a  good  head  of  water.  800  lb.  of  iron  has  been  rolled  & 
slit  in  13  minutes.  The  sheers  did  the  business  instantly  &  with- 
out noise  in  cutting  the  bars  of  Iron. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  Lydia  Carnes,  d.  of  her  Husband,  pr. 
Brother  at  Sea.  Saml.  Masury  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  Son  & 
Brother  at  Sea.     John  Hill  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

28.  Capt.  Preston  born  in  Beverly  remembers  when  only  9 
houses  between  the  ferry  &  the  meeting  house  upon  the  main  road, 
where  now  is  a  very  flourishing  town.  Capt.  John  Carnes,  who 
died  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  married  Lydia  Derby,  Sept.  12, 
1782,  much  against  the  will  of  her  parents.  He  has  not  conducted 
with  that  prudence  which  belonged  to  his  obligations.  He  had 
various  complaints  from  his  irregular  living. 

31.  Mr.  Healy,*  a  Class  mate,  dined  with  me,  from  Hampton 
Falls.  I  have  not  seen  him  before  for  many  years.  He  rehearsed 
some  of  his  poetry  or  so  much  as  he  could  remember.  Is  now  in 
trade.  He  tells  me  of  Penhallow  &  Goddard,  settled  in  Ports- 
mouth. 

April  3.  [1797]  Went  to  see  the  boring  of  the  Logs  for  the 
Aqueduct.  It  is  performed  by  a  water  wheel  &  Cog  wheel  moving 
into  a  lantern  below  the  floor,  which  carries  a  cog  wheel  teeth  down- 
wards, which  turns  the  wheels  upon  which  the  Augers  move  as  a 
continued  axis  supported  in  their  shank  at  proper  distances,  the 
place  where  the  worm  augur  begins,  being  about  8  feet  in  the  worm. 
The  Augers  are  of  different  bore,  one  being  3  1/2  inches  &  the 
other  2  1/2.  From  the  Lantern  axis  cords  pass  upon  grooved 
wheels  which  hoist  the  logs  out  of  the  water  &  in  the  same  manner, 
by  grooved  wheels,  the  carriage  is  brought  forward  in  boring.  The 
carriage  is  moved  by  a  water  wheel.  They  bore  far  in  at  one 
end,  &  meet  their  boring  by  turning  the  log.  How  true  they  cut, 
I  did  not  examine.  A  public  quarrel  at  noon  &  repeated  in  the 
evening,  between  R.  Stone  &  one  Beauford,  an  Englishman,  respect- 
ing a  debt  at  gambling.  Such  quarrels  have  a  tendency  to  render 
disreputable  a  practice  which  obtains,  but  under  the  greatest  guards 
of  secrecy.  A  Few  such  adventures  at  times  expose  the  folly  to 
the  public. 

5.  Saw  my  classmate  Kilham,  whose  political  changes  have 
convulsed  his  affairs  so  as  to  operate  an  almost  total  aversion  from 
this  world.  At  Tea  with  Mrs.  Porter,  to  gain  whom  a  neighbouring 
minister  offered  a  sum  of  money  to  be  released  from  former  engage- 
ments. 

7.     This  evening  a  curious  change  of  weather.     After  having 

^Nathaniel  Healey,  a  shipbuilder. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  219 

felt  the  summer  heat,  the  clouds  began  to  look  sour  &  threatened 
all  day.  At  seven  in  the  evening  after  spitting  a  little,  there  was 
a  violent  snow  storm  from  the  S.  E.  which  lasted  till  after  nine, 
during  which  time  the  snow  descended  in  great  flakes  &  covered 
the  whole  surface  of  the  ground  &  buildings,  notwithstanding  the 
absorption  from  the  state  of  the  earth  &  buildings.  It  then  rained 
-&  so  continued. 

9.  Sunday.  Xotes.  Samuel  Silsbee  Juu''  &  Wife,  death  of  her 
Aunt  Eunice  Flint,  &  pr.  for  Brother  at  Sea. 

10.  In  an  excursion  found  the  Grave  Stones  of  Abigail  Jenni- 
son.  Wife  of  Eev**  William  Jennison  in  Danvers  ground.  She  was 
buried  here  from  the  house  of  her  Son  living  in  this  neighbour- 
hood. Was  invited  with  the  Committee  to  visit  the  Schools.  Found 
a  Mr.  Kendall  in  the  Grammar  School.  His  short  time  in  the  office 
prevented  any  arrangements  under  his  care.  We  had  several  exhi- 
bitions. The  English  recitations  pleased  me.  The  dialogues  had 
too  much  spouting  for  my  taste.  In  the  East  School  under  Mr. 
Lang,  every  thing  was  in  much  better  order  than  any  of  us  could 
expect  from  the  mean  appearance  of  everything  in  the  last  visita- 
tion. 

11.  Visited  Mr.  Derby's  garden  in  Danvers.  The  hot  house  was 
in  good  forwardness  &  the  gardens  were  all  ready  for  spring.  We 
went  to  get  a  few  Trees  &  we  obtained  such  as  were  excellent  from 
the  nursery.  Every  year  the  arrangements  are  more  extensive  & 
more  happy.  The  importation  from  the  Isle  of  France  did  not 
succeed.     Many  were  dead  before  they  reached  the  garden. 

13.  As  uncommon  a  Snow  Storm  as  we  know.  In  the  morning 
the  ground  &  houses  were  covered  several  inches.  The  snow  con- 
tinued till  10  A.  M.  &  then  hail  &  sleet  &  rain  continued  till  even- 
ing, when  it  began  to  snow  &  continued  till  Friday  Morning,  the 
snow  laying  several  inches  deep  upon  the  ground  which  was  very 
open  &  springs  low.     Fish  market  well  supplied. 

16.  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Archer  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  Child, 
pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Subject  of  conversation  was  Oliver  of 
Beverly,  against  whom  the  people  have  shut  the  doors  of  the  Meet- 
ing House,  after  having  paid  him  his  Salary,  refusing  any  Ecclesi- 
astical Council,  or  Reference  on  their  part,  conducting  all  with 
passion. 

17.  Took  a  walk  with  Rev^  Barnard,  as  far  as  New  Mills,  to 
<}onverse  with  Mr.  Bentley,  Schoolmaster,  upon  the  subject  of  taking 
the  ministerial  charge  of  Cape  Forchu  in  Xova  Scotia.  He  mod- 
estly heard  our  proposals  and  is  to  give  an  answer  on  Wednesday. 
At  Reed's  we  found  him  providing  to  straiten  the  road  by  his  own 
house,  planting  trees,  &  having  formed  a  model  upon  which  he 
expects  to  have  a  cutting  machine  for  nails  to  head  them  at  the 
same  time. 

19.     Endeavouring  to  persuade  Mr.  Jasper  Bentley  to  go  to  Cape 


220  DiABY  OF  [April 

Forchu,  Nova  Scotia.  Mr,  Flint  from  that  place  was  with  me,  & 
Dr.  Bernard.  Mr.  Bentley  came  with  Capt.  S.  Page  from  the  New 
Mills.  Mr.  Flint  represents  that  their  Township  under  the  name  of 
Yarmouth  is  extensive,  including  130,000  acres.  It  includes  above 
250  families,  is  divided  into  150  lots,  to  each  of  which  15  acres  of 
Marsh  is  assigned.  The  principal  Settlement  is  at  Cape  Forchu 
which  we  saw  clearly  upon  Des  Barres  Map  of  that  Country.  The 
Meeting  house  is  on  the  East  Side  of  the  harbour,  after  you  have 
passed  the  entrance  formed  by  the  peninsula  &  jomed  to  the  main 
by  a  bar  of  sand.  Jeboge  is  another  settlement,  &  has  a  Meeting 
House,  which  is  four  miles  across,  &  which  has  an  entrance  round 
Jeboge  point.  They  are  chiefly  people  from  New  England  at  Cape 
Forchu,  &  some  from  this  neighbourhood.  We  did  not  succeed  with 
Mr.  Bentley.  It  is  about  70  Leagues  in  their  reckoning  from  Cape 
Forchu  to  Cape  Ann.  The  roads  in  the  interiour  country  are  bad, 
so  that  few  of  them  have  any  tolerable  accounts  of  the  distance  by 
land,  &  their  Shallops  always  furnish  them  with  ready  means  by 
Sea,  &  they  have  excellent  harbours  on  all  the  coasts. 

21.  Mr.  B.  Ward  sen.  set.  73,  tells  me  that  he  knew  very  well 
the  first  Vessel  built  for  Marblehead,  purposely  for  a  Merchant 
Vessel.  That  she  was  a  Snow  purchased  by  Swett  &  Henley,  & 
commanded  by  Edmund  Gales  &  afterwards  purchased  by  Dr.  Top- 
pan  of  Salem  &  navigated  from  this  port. 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Harthorne,  d.  of  G.  Child  epi- 
leptic, d.  of  Col.  John  H.  William  Peele  &  Wife  &  Ch.,  d.  of  G. 
Child,  pr.  friends  at  Sea.  Kobert  Peele  &  Wife,  death  of  eldest 
son,  pr.  fr.  at  sea.     Samuel  Derby  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

25.  Attended  &  took  my  turn  as  one  of  the  Voluntary  Night 
guard  of  the  Town.  I  subscribed  at  the  fire  Club  in  March.  The 
Town  hired  Watch  was  continued.  It  consists  of  ten  persons. 
Four  in  the  Middle  in  the  Court  House,  3  at  the  East  End  in  the 
East  School  House,  on  the  Common,  &  3  at  the  west  end,  at  the 
School  House,  Dean  Street,  near  the  River.  There  were  eight  in 
the  Voluntary  watch.  We  left  Two  in  the  Store  opposite  to  the  Old 
Meeting,  &  the  rest  in  3  divisions  travelled  the  Town.  We  were 
oiit  almost  all  night.  I  went  from  Washington  Street  crossing  in- 
to Essex  Street  by  the  cross  Street  as  far  as  the  Neck,  &  returned 
by  Essex  Street.  Then  went  up  by  Essex  Street  &  Boston  Street 
&  returned  by  Federal  Street,  crossing  the  Streets  near  the  River. 
There  was  a  party  out  in  the  North  Fields.  We  went  up  to  Fry's 
Mills  &  met  them  returning,  ordered  them  to  be  quiet.  We  then 
passed  by  High  Street  into  the  South  part  of  the  Town  &  returned 
by  Summer  Street.  Then  by  County  Street  down  to  the  Shore  & 
returned  by  Winter  Street.  Then  morning  came  &  we  were  done, 
retiring  at  four  o'clock. 

28.  Miles  Ward,  the  Father  of  the  Wards  now  living,  who  died 
at  90  years,  lately,  remembered  the  funeral  of  John  Massey,  the  first 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  221 

•child  born  in  Salem.  Went  with  Col.  Pickman  upon  straitening 
South  Field  Road,  &  saw  them  laying  out  Barton's  Square,  being 
the  two  Sides  leading  from  Essex  Street,  old  paved  Street,  into 
Washington  street.  It  now  forms  four  lots.  John  Derby  has 
bought  upon  the  Street  &  the  House,  the  widow  is  to  have  part  of 
the  Buildings  moved  upon  the  Southern  Lot,  and  S.  Derby  takes 
the  S.  western.  The  S.  Eastern  Lot  &  House  in  Washington  street 
was  sold  to  IVIr.  Marston.  This  evening  Beverly  Sexton,  Wallis, 
dropped  dead  at  the  Bell  rope. 

29.  Mr.  Smith  at  the  Ferry,  past  70,  whose  ancestors  were  con- 
temporary with  the  Masseys,  &  primitive  families,  says  he  always 
knew  the  river  at  W^aters'  as  Duck  river,  &  he  &  Father  Symonds, 
who  died  aged  100  sometime  since,  &  lived  in  the  fields,  &  at  the 
ferry,  always  used  it.  Massey's  Cove  is  the  first  round  Orne's  point 
&  Fraser's  is  the  first  before  you  pass  the  point  lying  S.  of  it. 

30.  Sunday.  This  evening  was  buried  from  the  South  Fields, 
a  young  Macintire,  subject  to  Epilepsy,  who  was  drowned  in  the 
Mill  pond.  He  was  out  in  a  Canoe  &  it  is  supposed  suffered  from 
his  constitutional  Infirmity. 

May  2.  [1797]  The  day  assigned  for  the  Military  Review 
throughout  the  United  States.  The  rain  was  so  incessant  that  the 
Militia  were  barely  under  arms  &  dismissed.  I  was  deprived  of  the 
Launch  upon  Crane  river.  At  a  late  Town  Meeting  the  Treasurer 
was  offered  9  £  for  his  services,  but  he  objected,  declaring  that  7  £ 
were  enough. 

3.  Took  a  walk  over  North  Field  Bridge.  The  Mills  at  Duck 
river  were  not  going.  Saw  at  Crane  river  Mills,  Col.  Hutcheson,  a 
man  known  for  his  political  zeal  &  long  a  member  of  our  general 
Court.  He  had  always  known  his  own  river  upon  which  his  mills 
stand,  as  Crane  river,  &  Duck  river  as  Waters'  river.  Woolosten 
River  as  Porter's  communicating  with  frost  fish  Brook.  The  new 
Mills  settlement  between  Crane  &  Porter's  river  was  Sheldon's 
faiun  so  Avell  known  in  Salem  records.  The  Col.  is  to  send  me  such 
papers  as  he  has  relative  to  these  Rivers,  &  referred  me  to  Old 
Doctor  Amos  Putnam,  who  possesses  a  farm,  part  of  Endicott's  be- 
low the  brook  emptying  into  Duck  River.  Col.  H.  thought  the  Cow 
House  stood  near  Dr.  Putnam's  but  the  Dr.  recollected  nothing  of  it. 
He  recollected  within  his  own  memory  when  Crane  river  was  cov- 
ered with  a  forest  &  actually  had  seen,  he  declared,  Cranes  (now 
called  Heron)  very  large,  which  had  been  taken  upon  it.  This  riv- 
er had  always  been  known  to  him  as  Crane  river.  From  New  Mills 
to  the  Dr's  on  the  great  road,  I  was  directed  to  pass  by  Endicott's, 
at  Sprague's  gate,  but  to  avoid  the  brook  entering  Duck  river  was 
advised  to  pass  the  new  Mills  &  enter  1/2  a  mile  above  &  cross  be- 
low the  site  of  Porter's  mansion  house  &  Putnam's  Tavern  into  the 
road  leading  to  Hooper's,  but  at  the  bars  was  tempted  to  turn  in 
again  &  so  crossed  the  brook  running  to  Duck  River.     In  going  up 


222  DIARY  OF  [May 

I  kept  near  the  bank  of  Crane  river.  It  has  several  points  of  land 
round  which  it  winds  &  soon  becomes  a  brook  having  the  westerly- 
land  high  upon  its  banks.  There  is  an  hill  back  of  Endicott's  lying 
N.  W.  from  the  House  which  has  a  good  prospect.  They  were 
actually  surveying  the  land  north  of  it,  for  a  sale  by  Mr.  S.  Sewall^ 
who  purchased  it  from  the  Creditors  of  jVIr.  Hooper,  whose  elegant 
hoiTse,  now  possessed  by  Benajah  Collins  Esqr,  of  Liverpool,  N. 
Scotia,  faces  us  in  good  order.  The  willows  look  beautifully  along 
the  brook  running  into  Duck  river.  It  must  be  a  pleasant  walk  in 
a  dry  time.  Upon  my  return  stopped  at  Mr.  Derby's  farm,  &  pro- 
vided a  fine  mess  of  Asparagus.  At  the  north  bridge  made  a  pur- 
chase of  a  Butcher,  &  reached  home  at  half  after  twelve.  Dr.  Put- 
nam told  me  that  some  of  Porter's  Pear  Trees,  which  he  brought 
from  England  are  now  standing.  The  present  Mansion  is  in  the 
place  of  the  old,  &  is  of  a  century  of  years. 

4.  The  Annual  Fast  Assembly  respectable,  but  thin  as  usual  on 
such  occasions,  but  the  Few  were  the  best  part  of  the  Congregation. 
There  was  a  Contribution  for  the  poor  as  usual.  The  weather  was 
not  fair  in  the  morning.  We  wish  foul  weather  to  restrain  the  chil- 
dren &  servants,  &  fair  weather  to  assist  the  charities.  Contribu- 
tions exceeded  62  dollars. 

5.  I  was  shewn  the  speckled  garden  bean,  whose  botanical  name 
I  have  not  reached,  which  bears  the  name  Staunton  Bean  because 
Mr.  S.,  the  first  minister  in  our  society,  either  introduced  or  was 
fond  of  it.  It  is  thought  that  it  came  into  this  country,  &  this  part 
of  it,  with  the  Williams'  of  the  first  planters. 

6.  They  have  begun  to  open  the  ground  for  the  course  of  the 
Aqueduct.  Several  of  these  in  the  sessions  last,  were  permitted  in 
different  parts  of  the  State.  Gambling  as  a  vice  is  more  infectious 
than  at  any  former  period.  The  Town  have  dismissed  all  the  Town 
watch  but  three  persons  &  the  volunteers  begin  to  be  uneasy,  be- 
cause they  suppose  that  some  men  are  not  disposed  to  do  their  duty 
in  the  service. 

7.  Simday.  Widow  Hannah  Hannon,  dang,  sick,  pr.  for  a  Son 
&  friends  at  Sea. 

9.  The  association  met  at  the  Old  Church  in  this  Town,  Mr. 
Prince's.  The  music  was  performed  under  Mr.  Holyoke,  the  prayer 
was  by  Mr.  Forbes  of  Cape  Ann ,  &  the  sermon  by  Dr.  Clarke  of  Bos- 
ton.    Mr.  Forbes  has  printed  his  Sermon  on  the  death  of  Col.  Low. 

11.  Took  a  walk  with  Little,  Holyoke,  &  Bancroft,  to  see  the 
Aqueduct.  We  first  visited  the  Mill  at  which  the  Logs  were  bored 
&  then  passing  to  the  northward  of  the  Stream  by  Dales',  reached 
the  Butt  Brook  in  the  road.  Just  above  they  were  laying  the  logs. 
They  have  a  shave  which  works  in  an  handle,  the  core  of  which 
goes  into  the  hole  of  the  Log,  while  the  shave  moves  round  within 
the  handle  upon  the  surface  of  the  log.  The  hole  is  enlarged  by 
a  spoon  3/4  augur,  while  on  a  long  handle  an  half  circle  spoon  au- 


1797]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.    D.  223 

gm-  takes  off  all  inequalities.  The  logs  are  confined  by  an  iron 
ring  after  they  are  worked  by  the  augur  intended  to  open  the  bore 
to  receive  the  end  of  the  log.  We  then  passed  into  the  road  after 
having  observed  the  trench  three  feet  deep  &  reached  the  pond.  We 
travelled  to  the  Spring  &  cleared  it  out.  The  Dr.  thought  it  highly 
impregnated  with  the  vitriolic  acid,  to  me  it  appeared  a  mere  chaly- 
beat.  We  passed  homeward  through  the  great  pasture  &  came  along 
by  the  Great  ^Monument. 

13.  Find  that  the  Smiths  at  the  Ferry  remained  till  the  last 
strongly  attached  to  Mr.  Fiske,  &  could  never  be  persuaded  of  the 
charges  against  him.  Mr.  Fiske  lased  to  say  his  wife  was  christened 
when  he  was  in  his  21  year.  Capt.  Elkins  who  has  been  successive- 
ly plundered  by  English  &  French,  has  seen  his  Ship  founder  at 
sea  &  has  been  repeatedly  cast  away.  Once  on  the  Texel  lost  his 
Vessel,  &  every  person  on  board  besides  himself  perished.  He  says 
he  hates  to  hear  every  man  say,  poor  unfortunate  man. 

14.  Sunday.  Exchanged  with  Mr.  Hubbard.*  His  Meeting 
House  has  stood  above  a  century  of  years,  has  been  enlarged,  &  has 
double  galleries  on  the  wings.  The  Steeple  has  been  added  to  the 
first  building.  Sometime  since  he  preached  a  Century  Sermon. 
The  Congregation  was  attentive.  Mr.  Story  visited  us  at  noon  &  I 
took  Tea  with  him.  Mr.  Hubbard  has  six  children,  three  sons  & 
three  daughters.  Mr.  Story,  eight  children,  four  sons  &  four  daugh- 
ters. Mr.  Hubbard  has  good  singing  &  teaches  his  own  society  in 
person. 

18.  Opening  roads,  &  the  inhabitants  dispute  as  warmly  for  an 
inch  of  ground,  even  in  roads  they  have  petitioned  for,  as  ever  they 
did  in  the  American  revolution.  They  will  not  give  conveniences 
at  their  own  doors,  unless  paid  for. 

19.  It  has  been  my  wish  to  preserve  the  heads  of  the  first  Set- 
tlers. This  is  a  mem.  to  know  where  they  may  be  found.  Gov"" 
Endicott  is  in  the  hands  of  the  family  2/31.,  much  defaced,  tho' 
the  countenance  is  preserved.  Col.  Pickman  has  a  copy  in  fine 
order  &  well  imitated.  There  is  a  picture  of  Pynchon  at  Spring- 
field and  a  good  copy  of  it,  1/2,  at  Mrs.  Pynchon's  at  her  daughters 
Orne's.  Higginson  is  in  the  Council  Chamber.  Judge  Sewall  & 
his  wife  have  been  given  by  the  late  Mrs.  Higginson,  a  daughter, 
deceased  last  Month  at  Beverly,  to  her  Daughter  Lee,  in  Beverly. 
I  have  a  miniature  of  Governour  Winthrop  from  the  original.  Epes 
is  in  the  hands  of  his  descendants  now  living  in  town.  There  is  in 
the  Bradstreet  family  one  of  the  Gov.  which  I  have  not  seen. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jon*  Archer  &  W^ife,  for  him  dangerously 
sick.  Catharine  Shad,  her  delivery.  William  Ropes  &  Wife,  her 
delivery.  Brother  at  Sea. 

23.  Died  in  this  Town  William  Vans  Esqr.  set.  67.  His  second 
wife  was  a  daughter  of  Master  Nutting  &  his  first,  a  Clark.  He  was 

•Rey.  Ebeneser  Hnbbard  of  Harblehead. 


224  DIARY  OF  [May 

corpulent,  but  a  good  figure,  often  a  Kepresentative,  &  Moderator 
in  public  meetings  of  the  Town,  full  of  conversation,  &  affable,  tho' 
tinctured  with  superstition.  He  had  the  manners  of  a  Boston  Mer- 
chant &  came  from  that  place.  His  theological  conjectures  he  ob- 
tained from  his  Uncle  Pemberton,  D.  D.  He  had  a  lingering  sick- 
ness. Had  not  been  prosperous  in  his  affairs.  A  good  address 
was  his  distinguishing  talent. 

26.  Rode  with  Major  Lindsay  to  Beverly.  Visited  Mr.  Dane  & 
walked  into  Thorndike's  garden.  Mr.  Dane  as  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners in  Maine,  finds  great  fault  with  Sullivan,  as  compiling  his 
history  without  regard  to  documents  easily  to  have  been  obtained, 
&  upon  reports  only,  in  many  cases  of  some  consequence. 

27.  Mr.  Bowditch  gave  me  for  the  Historical  society,  a  short 
sword  like  that  of  English  gentlemen,  marked  1553,  in  the  first  year 
of  Queen  Mary.  It  was  brought  into  this  Country  by  William 
Bowditch  who  came  into  this  Country  in  the  close  of  last  Century, 
from  whom  probably  Bowditch's  Ledge,  called  Tennapoo. 

30.  Went  in  the  early  Stage  which  runs  before  6  in  the  morning 
to  Boston  &  reached  the  Town  before  10  o'clock.  As  this  was  the 
day  on  which  the  Bishop  Edw.  Bass,  D,  D.  was  to  be  received  by  his 
clergy,  I  attended  at  Trinity  Church.  There  were  few  persons 
present,  not  exceeding  thirty,  &  only  a  part  of  the  Clergy.  The 
Credentials  were  read  by  Dr.  Parker,  standing  at  the  left  side  of  the 
Altar  &  the  Bp.  was  on  the  right.  Dr.  Walter  addressed  him  before 
the  altar,  the  clergy  standing  without.  The  Bishop  rose  when  ad- 
dressed &  answered  in  the  same  position.  The  Bishop  had  a  surplice 
under  a  cloak  without  sleeves.  Dr.  Walter  read  prayers  &  the  Bp. 
preached.  The  Solemnities  were  not  calculated  to  produce  a  grand 
effect. 

31.  Went  round  the  Town  to  finish  the  walk  of  yesterday.  Saw 
the  new  Ship  &  the  beautiful  draught  of  Col.  Claghorn.  Saw  the 
Head,  called  Constitution,  finished  by  Skillings.  It  is  an  Hercules, 
with  the  [  ]  of  the  United  States  &  the  Constitution,  stand- 
ing upon  a  rock,  &  his  battoon  lying  beneath  him.  In  the  same 
place  were  the  Capitals  for  the  Corinthian  Columns  of  the  State 
House.  Saw  the  Court  House,  which  is  as  yet  in  an  unfinished 
State.  Tombs  are  fast  building  in  the  new  burying  ground  below 
the  Common.  In  the  public  Services  of  this  day  there  was  great 
good  order.  The  Sermon  was  long,  but  not  displeasing,  &  Gov. 
Adams  appeared  for  the  last  time. 

June  1.  [1797]  This  being  convention  day,  the  Clergy  assem- 
bled in  the  Brattle  Street  Church  &  the  Sermon  was  from  Dr.  Tap- 
pan,  professor  of  Divinity  in  the  University  of  Cambridge.  The 
audience  was  attentive  &  pleased.  On  the  last  evening,  I  was  at 
the  first  Baptist  church,  &  the  vocal  music  was  excellent.  Dr.  Still- 
man  preached  with  his  usual  animation.  This  evening  I  went  to 
the  second  Baptist  Church,  &  the  Sermon  was  from  Mr.  Milton,  late- 
ly received  at  Newbury  Port. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  225 

2.  This  day  the  Governour  Sumner  was  escorted  into  l>oston 
f  i-om  his  Seat  in  Roxbury,  to  take  the  Oaths  of  Office.  The  atten- 
tion on  this  occasion  was  unusually  great.  The  Carriages  were  all 
employed  &  above  two  hundred  appeared  on  horseback.  The  new 
Governour  was  proclaimed  from  the  Balcony  &  received  by  the 
shouting  multitude.  Cannon  were  discharged  at  Fort  hill  &  an- 
swered from  Castle  William.  I  received  from  Mr.  E.  Prebble,  who 
has  removed  from  Salem  to  Boston,  most  politely,  a  present  of  an 
whole  suit  of  Cloathes,  completely  made  &  fit  for  use. 

4.  Sunday.  No  notes.  In  the  evening  two  funerals.  An  aged 
paralytic  woman,  IVIrs.  Stone,  &  the  "Wife  of  Samuel  Gray,  from  a 
sickness  after  laying  in  &  long  infirmities. 

6.  Was  with  Capt.  Prince,  lately  from  Manila,  who  has  made 
the  greatest  voyage  from  this  Port,  tho*  not  the  greatest  in  propor- 
tion to  the  Stock,  but  upon  the  actual  advance  of  the  Cargo,  for  Mr. 
Derby. 

7.  Died  this  morning,  suddenly,  Mr.  Benjamin  Gardiner,  Rope- 
maker.  He  had  within  a  week  past  moved  to  his  daughter  Hitch- 
ins',  feeling  infirmities  which  took  him  from  his  labours.  He  was 
born  in  Boston.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  he  moved  to 
Marblehead  where  he  married  his  second  wife  &  thence  removed  to 
Salem.  This  second  wife  died  6  Ap.  1787,  &  since  this  time  he  has 
lived  with  a  Widow  Hawkes.  He  lived  upon  terms  of  intimate 
friendship  with  Mr.  Josiah  Gaines  who  died  18  May  1796.  He  was 
industrious  till  the  close  of  life  &  had  never  known  sickness.  He 
was  in  his  77th  year.  He  was  a  most  worthy,  consistent  &  indus- 
trious man.  I  loved  him  &  visited  him  often.  He  married  in  1751. 
His  wife  died  in  Salem,  1781.  He  married  again,  Nov.,  1782,  in 
Salem. 

9.  Took  a  ride  to  Nahant  with  Sally  Silsbee.  We  dined  at 
Breed's  &  took  coffee  at  Allen's  Farm.  We  found  Mrs.  Bangs  of 
Worcester  at  Nahant,  with  a  Silas  Paul,  a  student  in  Law  with  E. 
Bangs  Esqr.  We  found  Mackerel  for  the  first  time.  Mrs.  Blaney 
was  buried  from  the  House  we  passed  on  the  Beach.  The  Corpse 
was  carried  on  shoulders  but  the  procession  was  in  chaises  chiefly. 
No  women  were  on  foot. 

10.  This  evening  was  buried  Henry  Hiller,  a  lad  from  Phila- 
delphia, brought  in  from  the  W.  Indies  by  Capt.  Joshua  Richardson. 
He  was  in  the  Charity  House  &  I  paid  him  all  the  attention  in  my 
power.  He  had  been  bred  a  Baker,  belonged  to  the  Dutch  Congre- 
gation, has  a  Mother  yet  living,  being  about  22  years  of  age. 

11.  Sunday.  Notes.  Abigail  Berry,  d.  of  Sister  Stone,  pr.  for 
Sister  sick.  Abijah  Hitchins,  wife  &  children,  d.  of  her  Father 
Gardiner.  Mrs.  Palfrey  died  suddenly  this  evening  of  a  fever, 
which  was  violent  &  short. 

12.  Died  this  morning,  Capt.  George  Williams.  This  gentleman 
has  brought  up  a  large  family.     His  children  have  been  uncommon- 


226  DIARY  OF  [June 

ly  reputable.  His  eldest  Son  is  now  Consul  at  Hamburg  &  his  oth- 
er children,  liberally  educated  at  Cambridge,  are  in  Boston,  Salem, 
&  Watertown,  &c.  His  daughters  have  married  Theodore  Lyman, 
a  distinguished  Merchant,  &  Mr.  Pratt,  of  the  house  of  Boot  & 
Pratt.  His  Sons  are  all  unmarried  &  two  daughters.  He  has  6 
sons  &  4  daughters.  He  was  active  in  the  American  revolution,  & 
often  in  the  House  of  Representatives.  He  acquired  an  handsome 
interest  in  our  West  India  trade.  His  second  Wife,  by  whom  he 
had  the  above  children,  was  a  daughter  of  Deacon  Timothy  Picker- 
ing. He  had  children  by  his  first  wife,  &  g.  children  are  living. 
Mr.  W.  was  industrious,  frugal,  enterprising,  &  respected. 

13.  Association  at  McKeen's,  Beverly.  Wadsworth  preached. 
Dr.  Pisher  observed  that  Jefferson  was  a  Scholar  among  Gentlemen, 
but  not  a  Scholar  among  Scholars.  Waited  upon  Mrs.  Dane  & 
drank  Tea  at  Mrs.  Homan's. 

14.  Puneral  of  George  Williams  Esq.  The  procession  was  long. 
The  relatives  numerous  «&the  attendance  of  the  inhabitants  general. 
He  was  buried  on  the  Point  with  his  own  family  &  not  with  the 
Pickerings. 

15.  A  Scotchman  employed  in  mowing,  insisted  upon  having  his 
sithe  furnished  in  the  manner  of  his  own  country.  The  Handle  is 
above  eight  feet  long  &  two  inches  in  diameter  at  the  head,  so  to 
balance  the  weight.  The  instrument  with  which  he  wets  his  sithe 
is  of  oak  &  fastened  at  the  other  end.  It  is  supported  on  the  arm 
&  the  hold  is  taken  while  it  rests  upon  the  arm.  The  Sithe  is 
sharpened  by  sticking  the  point  in  the  ground. 

17.  The  Causeway  at  Gardiner's  mills  is  to  be  widened  18  feet 
upon  the  bounds  of  Marblehead.  At  present  it  is  winding,  narrow, 
&  much  out  of  repair. 

18.  Sunday.  Rain  all  day,  &  thin  Congregation.  Notes.  Dan- 
iel Shehane  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  Sister,  pr.  Brother  at  Sea.  Hannah 
Taylor,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Br.  at  Sea.  Hannah  Webb, 
delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 

20.  Reports  now  are  that  our  Vessels  bound  for  Hispaniola  are 
carried  by  the  English  to  Jamaica  &  there  sold  at  10  pr.  cent  ad- 
vance upon  their  Cargo.  Their  plea  is  the  distressed  state  of  their 
Island  from  French  Privateers.  This  evening  observed  the  pro- 
longed twilight  till  10  o'clock. 

24.  This  day  was  celebrated  in  various  parts  by  the  Masons.  I 
was  present  at  Marblehead.  For  15  years  they  have  neglected  the 
Institution,  which  was  introduced  in  1759.  They  are  now  author- 
ised by  the  Grand  Lodge  under  the  name  of  the  Philanthropic 
Lodge.  The  present  Master  is  E.  Story,  Physician.  Mr.  Fetty- 
place  &  Green  were  present,  both  past  70  years  of  age.  They  have 
in  number  about  30  members.  Mr.  B.  Green  gave  the  oration,  which 
was  popular.  It  was  delivered  in  the  new  meeting  house,  &  the 
dinner  was  in  Wait's  Brick  House  at  the  entrance  of  the  Town. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.  D.  227 

Cols.  Lee  &  Orne  were  present  &  the  Companyr  eputable.     No  per- 
sons of  other  Lodges  by  invitation. 

25.  Sunday.  In  Marblehead  yesterday,  the  Episcopal  Minister 
would  not  come  even  to  hear  his  Brother  in  Law  &  one  of  his  war- 
dens address  the  Freemasons,  was  reluctant  in  lending  his  habit,  & 
glad  to  have  the  service  not  in  his  own  Church.  Such  is  the  affec- 
tation of  goodness  even  in  the  present  age. 

28.  The  School  Committee  have  assigned  the  Grammar  Master 
a  salary  at  the  rate  of  500  dollars  a  year.  He  now  enquires  into 
their  intentions  &  whether  he  can  have  an  establishment. 

29.  Briggs  launched  another  Vessel  this  day  on  South  field  side. 

30.  Went  with  Capt.  Hodges  to  Nahant,  to  place  his  son  there  in 
the  purer  air  for  his  recovery. 

July  2.  [1797]  Sunday.  Notes.  Eliz  :  Millet,  delivery,  Husb. 
&  Brother  at  Sea. 

4.  Last  night  died  suddenly,  Benjamin  Cloutman,  Carpenter. 
He  went  to  bed  in  health  &  spirits,  by  his  snoring  waked  his  wife 
early  in  the  morning,  &  was  dead  before  she  could  obtain  assistance, 
without  speaking  or  discovering  any  sense  of  his  danger,  or  even 
knowledge  of  anything.     This  day  celebrated.     Was  at  Nahant. 

6.  Had  a  party  of  pleasure  in  the  North  Fields  upon  Silsbee's 
Lots.  We  had  our  gambols  &  in  the  evening  returned.  The 
cultivation  of  these  fields  is  much  beyond  what  it  was  when  I  first 
came  to  Salem.     Some  of  the  Lots  are  far  behind  other  Lots. 

7.  The  temporary  Theatre  in  Salem  has  advanced  as  far  as  the 
eighth  night  &  begins  to  fail.  Tho'  the  performances  are  mean, 
the  principal  cause  is  that  the  people  have  not  the  money  to  spare 
so  often  as  three  times  in  a  week. 

8.  Watermelons  brought  from  N.  Carolina  give  an  anticipation 
of  the  season.  Experiments  upon  the  new  Fire  Engine  from  Phil- 
adelphia. I  have  not  seen  the  interior,  nor  a  description.  It  is 
worked  over  the  ends  of  the  tubs  so  as  to  increase  the  power  of  the 
levers.  It  has  more  free  air,  but  does  not  carry  at  greater  height 
as  yet. 

9.  Sunday.  John  Collins  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Mother,  Steward,  in 
Liverpool,  Nova  Scotia.  Amos  Hovey  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Mother, 
Steward.  Elizabeth  Cloutman  &  children,  d.  of  her  Husband. 
Stephen  Cloutman  &  Wife,  &  Sisters,  d.  of  their  Brother,  Brother 
in  Law  at  Sea. 

10.  The  loss  of  several  Vessels  belonging  to  this  Town,  captured 
by  the  French  under  circumstances  of  which  we  have  no  suspicions 
&  in  Spanish  ports,  has  given  a  serious  alarm  to  our  Merchants. 

11.  Various  reports  to  agitate  the  public  mind.  The  true  sense 
of  the  Americans  will  more  depend  upon  the  incidents  of  the  sea- 
son, than  that  of  any  people  on  earth.  Disaffected  by  the  British, 
&  affronted  by  the  French,  they  will  be  deceived  by  the  fii-st  thing 
which  looks  like  interest. 


228  DIAKY  OF  [July 

12.  Plenty  of  Mackerel  in  the  market  at  6  cents  pr.  lb.  A  Bath, 
honse  is  begun  on  the  back  of  our  land  which  is  to  extend  64  feet 
upon  B.,*  &  to  have  eight  apartments.  The  success  is  doubtful  for 
it  is  said  such  a  thing  much  talked  of  was  not  much  used  when 
gotten. 

13.  The  first  Tautaug  or  Sheep's  head,  was  in  my  possession 
this  day  that  ever  I  owned.  It  was  caught  from  Essex  Bridge. 
This  fish  has  not  been  common  &  seldom  taken  so  near  the  Town. 

14.  Showers,  which  were  gentle  &  kind,  &  the  thunder  contin- 
ual but  not  severe.  We  had  no  ideas  of  the  Storm  in  the  S.  W., 
but  in  the  evening  Master  Lang  came  to  my  house  with  a  mass  of 
hail  stones  in  a  state  of  congelation  as  large  as  his  handkerchief 
could  conveniently  hold,  which  he  had  brought  in  the  heat  12  miles 
from  Maiden.  He  declared,  &  his  Son  the  Doctor  attested,  that 
they  saw  a  gentleman  from  curiosity  wade  to  his  knees  in  the  pile 
in  the  road.  The  extent  of  the  damage  is  not  known.  We  may 
expect  particular  account  on  the  morrow.  I  spent  the  evening  in 
carrying  the  hail  stones  in  a  plate  round  to  be  viewed  by  my  friends. 

16.  Sunday.  Changed  with  Thacher  of  Lynn.  The  character 
of  this  Town  has  been  much  hurt  by  religious  convulsions.  They 
have  all  the  uncharitableness  of  debate  without  the  usual  informa- 
tion in  such  religious  quarrels.  Notes.  Sam.  Ingersoll  &  Wife  & 
children,  for  his  eldest  Son,  dang.  sick. 

19.  My  Brother  called  upon  me  for  assistance  from  Cape  Ann. 
He  has  not  discretion  enough  to  keep  his  affairs  in  good  order  &  the 
loose  coins  I  had  collected  were  disposed  of  in  his  service. 

20.  Capt.  S.  Ingersoll,  far  gone  in  a  Consumption,  insisted  upon 
being  carried  in  a  Sloop  into  the  offing.  The  experiment  was  con- 
ducted with  the  greatest  caution  &  he  returned  alive,  contrary  to 
the  general  expectation. 

21.  This  morning  early  Capt.  S.  Ingersoll  died.  He  discovered 
presence  of  mind  &  took  leave  of  his  parents  &  friends. 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  S.  Ingersoll  &  Wife  &  ch.,  death  of  his 
eldest  Son,  Wife  sick.  Susannah  Harthorne,  d.  of  her  g.  son  S. 
Ingersoll.  James  Whittemore  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Brother,  pr.  for 
Brethren  at  Sea.  James  Chever  &  Wife,  her  delivery.  Hannah 
Webb,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 

24.  An  arrival  of  N.  Silsbee  from  East  Indies,  encourages  our 
hopes  for  our  Ships  in  these  seas.  The  property  abroad  great  in 
that  quarter.  The  Printers  changing  the  forms  of  their  business, 
this  day  disengaged  me  from  the  Gazette,  &  once  again  placed  me 
at  liberty. 

25.  Left  Salem  early  for  Boxford,  in  company  with  Mrs. 
Porter.  We  reached  Topsfield  early  enough  for  Breakfast,  &  were 
with  Dr.  Cleaveland.     We  then  stopped  at  Revd  Huntington'sf 

•Bath  street,  now  Washington  square,  south. 

tKev.  Asahel  Huntington,  father  of  Mayor  Huntington  of  Salem. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  229 

where  Ave  were  kindly  received.  We  then  passed  to  Parson  Hol- 
yoke's  &  found  liis  Son  iS:  family  well.  The  infirmities  of  the  Par- 
son take  him  entirely  from  his  services.  We  passed  into  the  great 
road  at  Spalford's  Tavern  &  crossed  to  Mr.  Perley's.  There  are 
seven  ponds  in  this  Town.  One,  back  of  Perley's,  lays  nearly  east 
&  west,  widest  toward  the  western  end,  terminating  in  a  meadow  at 
the  east  end.  It  must  contain  200  acres.  I  walked  on  the  southern 
side  as  far  as  the  meadow.  The  ground  is  high  &  uneven,  Avith 
some  fine  trees,  but  of  poor  pasturage.  We  tarried  for  the  night  & 
our  Host  was  very  sick  while  we  were  with  him. 

26.  We  returned  after  Breakfast  by  the  great  Haverhill  road,  it 
being  both  nigher  &  better.  At  the  burying  ground  we  found  a 
new  monument  erected  by  the  Town  in  honour  of  Capt.  Wood,  who 
has  lately  deceased  &  has  left  2000  dollars  to  the  Town  to  assist 
the  Grammar  School.  The  stone  is  a  parallelogram  at  the  bottom 
on  which  is  erected  a  slate  stone,  in  the  form  of  an  obelisk,  tho'  flat 
as  a  grave  stone.  It  is  ornamented  above  with  marble.  There  is  a 
tomb  erecting  near  it  for  the  same  family.  The  arch  is  first  raised 
in  brick  &  lime  &  then  covered  with  stone  laid  in  lime  of  double 
the  thickness  of  the  first  arch.  The  Tomb  very  narrow.  Upon 
our  return,  I  had  the  great  pleasure  of  seeing  Calvin,  a  dwarf  child 
from  Bridgewater,  which  has  lately  been  exhibited  at  Boston.  It 
is  in  the  finest  natural  proportions  &  a  perfect  miniature.  The 
muscles  are  free,  the  motions  regular,  the  passions  strong,  the 
tongue  at  liberty,  &  yet  at  seven  years  is  only  26  inches  high,  & 
weighs  12  pounds.  It  is  carried  about  by  its  relatives,  who  are  un- 
acquainted with  anj'  arts,  &  who  plead  the  poverty  of  its  parents. 
They  have  taught  it  only  the  childish  amusements  of  ball,  play  at 
marbles,  &  with  a  whip,  having  no  acquaintance  with  the  fine  arts 
or  any  other  than  country  amusements.  Such  a  sight  was  novel. 
Mrs.  Leach  of  Beverly  who  lived  above  60  years  had  an  head  of  the 
usual  size,  but  the  substance  of  the  bones  was  cartilaginous.  She 
was  deformity  itself.  But  here  nature  has  varied  from  her  plans, 
not  in  proportions,  but  in  dimensions.  And  we  see  harmony,  while 
we  see  very  far  below  the  usual  growth.  The  reason  offered  for  so 
little  attention  to  its  mind,  are  its  impatience,  &  obstinacy,  &  the 
design  of  exhibiting  him  continually  to  the  public. 

29.  Apprehensions  for  some  of  our  East  India  men,  not  arrived 
&  out  of  time.  The  depredation  on  our  Commerce  has  been  so 
great  that  we  seriously  feel  the  merchantile  interest  impoverished. 

30.  Sunday.  Notes.  Elizabeth  Phippen,  d.  of  G.  ch.  Archer, 
prs.  for  absent  friends.  Elizabeth  Archer,  sudden  d.  of  only  child, 
pr.  Husb.  &  friends  at  Sea. 

31.  The  old  house  in  English  street  on  the  south  side,  belonged  to 
a  Mascoll  who  sold  it  to  a  Son  in  Law  Webb,  Avho  disposed  of  it  to 
D.  Hilliard,  whose  heirs  occupy  part  of  it  at  the  present  time.  This 
Mascoll  was  brother  to  him  who  lived  bet.  Derby  &  Cromwell  street. 


230  DIARY   OF  [Aug* 

Aug.  2.  [1797]  The  new  Engine  from  Philadelphia  was 
tried  by  a  person  sent  from  Briggs,  the  Inventor.  It  raised 
water  to  the  top  of  the  Shingles  on  Prince's  meeting,  100  feet.  The 
liose  made  not  of  Leather,  but  woven,  did  not  answer  but  suffered 
the  water  to  waste.     It  is  said  that  brine  will  cure  that  defect. 

4.  Went  with  Gen  :  Lincoln  to  examine  Baker's  Island  for  the 
erection  of  a  light  house.  The  digging  had  already  begun.  I  was 
sick  down  &  up  &  endured  all  the  nausea  which  the  full  effect  of 
seasickness  brings  with  it. 

6.  Sunday.  Col.  Pickman  delegate  from  the  North  Church,  gave 
us  some  account  of  the  Council  last  week  at  Beverly.  The  follow- 
ing were  the  Members.  By  the  Pastor,  Hopkins  of  Salem,  Spring 
of  Newbury  Port,  Emmons  of  Franklin,  &  Morse  of  Charlestown. 
By  the  Church,  Dana  of  Ipswich,  Cutler  of  Hamilton,  Wadsworth 
of  Danvers,  &  Bernard  of  Salem.  Mutually,  French,  of  Andover, 
&  a  delegate  each.  They  met  on  Wednesday.  They  attempted  an 
adjustment  without  an  hearing,  but  without  success,  by  a  commit- 
tee to  confer  with  the  parties.  Thursday  &  Friday  the  business 
was  heard.  The  general  disaffection  was  then  found  to  depend  on 
such  imprudencies  as  belonged  to  the  general  character  of  the  pas- 
tor, in  uttering  his  censures  upon  character,  talking  largely  so  as  to 
be  thought  false,  but  particularly  for  arbitrary  proceedings,  in  re- 
fusing to  record  votes,  &c.  Upon  the  whole  a  seperation  was 
deemed  necessary  &  after  a  hearing  the  Council  resulted  in  sub- 
stance, that  the  Pastor  &  Church  in  turn  had  been  imprudent,  that 
a  seperation  was  to  be  advised,  that  the  Civil  affairs  should  be  left 
to  a  joint  reference.  Choate,  a  delegate  from  Ipswich,  was  chosen 
by  the  Church  &  Holten  by  the  Pastor,  another  was  to  be  chosen 
mutually,  who  were  to  determine  the  sum  due  to  the  Pastor.  The 
witnesses  were  heard  upon  oath,  &  Hopkins  was  Moderator.  Thus 
ends,  we  hope,  an  affair  which  has  long  been  a  subject  of  conversa- 
tion &  which  has  occasioned  some  very  disgraceful  proceedings  on 
the  part  of  the  people,  tho'  not  entirely  without  provocation. 

7.  Preparing  to  go  to  Amherst  with  Mr.  Logan*  of  Charleston, 
S.  C. 

8.  I  left  Salem  early.  We  made  our  first  stage  at  Upton's  in 
Upper  Danvers  &  then  proceeded  on  the  north  road,  having  Ipswich 
river  on  our  left,  through  the  north  parish  of  Reading,  till  we 
reached  Esqr  Ford's  in  Wilmington.  Here  I  once  had  a  residence 
in  the  times  of  the  siege.  We  then  passed  on  through  Tewkesbury 
to  Billerica  &  dined  at  Pollard's.  After  dinner  we  viewed  the  new 
Meeting  House  which  is  now  finishing.  The  Tower  only  is  raised. 
It  is  situated  north  of  the  former  &  is  near  the  road  so  as  to  be 
seen  as  we  rise  the  hill.  We  visited  Pemberton's  School  of  which 
he  is  the  sole  proprietor.  This  Gentleman,  a  descendant  of  the 
Hev.  Pemberton  of  Boston,  &  educated  by  the  late  Rev''  Dr.  Pem- 

*Son  of  Dr.  Qeorge  Logan,  who  died  in  Salem,  July  16. 1793. 


1797]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  231 

berton,  gained  great  fame  at  Andover,  from  which  he  removed  upon 
account  of  his  health,  &  first  took  a  private  School  at  Billerica  & 
since  has  married,  opened  the  present  School  or  Academy  at  his  own 
charges.  The  building  stands  at  the  foot  of  the  Hill  as  we  go  to- 
wards Chelmsford  on  the  left  hand.  It  has  a  pitched  roof  rising  to 
a  Crown,  &  in  front,  a  tower  of  two  stories  which  joins  badly  on  to 
an  house  of  one  story.  It  is  arched  within  &  open  on  all  sides. 
The  seats  are  mere  benches,  before  moveable  tables  for  writing, 
with  boxes  &  can  be  easily  disposed  in  any  form  which  the  Master 
chuses.  Not  more  than  two  can  be  accomodated  at  these  tables  & 
they  must  sit  facing  each  other.  After  dinner  we  passed  the  Con- 
cord, &  the  new  road  raised  through  the  low  grounds,  &  reached 
Chelmsford.  We  stopped  at  Barnes',  called  upon  Gen.  Bridge,  & 
passed  to  Westford  &  lodged  at  Wood's.  We  were  here  kindly  no- 
ticed by  a  Mr.  Prescot  a  Lawyer,  who  waited  upon  us  to  view  the 
public  Buildings.  Since  I  was  here,  they  lost  their  Meeting  house 
by  fire.  They  have  since  erected  one  upon  the  model  of  Chelms- 
ford, but  they  have  not  so  highly  finished  it.  It  has  a  Steeple  in 
the  same  form.  The  pulpit  has  one  flight  of  stairs,  the  front  gal- 
lery swells.  The  canopy  of  the  pulpit  is  pendant,  &  the  lower  win- 
dows are  arched  instead  of  the  upper  as  in  Chelmsford.  Opposite 
to  it  stands  the  Academy.  It  is  a  plain  building  with  a  Belfrey  in 
the  middle  of  two  stories,  neatly  painted.  It  is  entered  by  a  porch 
on  the  east  end  &  by  an  entry  in  which  are  the  stairs  by  which  we 
ascend  into  the  Exhibition  Room  above.  The  Desk  of  the  Master 
is  elevated  &  inclosed  like  a  large  pew.  The  benches  are  disposed 
on  each  side  so  as  to  leave  a  spatious  area.  The  seats  receive  two 
boys  &  they  can  pass  out  at  each  end,  excepting  such  as  at  the  west 
end  of  the  School  are  against  the  wall.  They  rise  suddenly  but 
have  not  the  advantages  of  moveable  seats  as  they  are  more  crowded 
&  cannot  be  accomodated  so  readily  to  the  number  of  youths  &  any 
present  convenience  of  light  &  service.  In  the  exhibition  Room, 
the  west  end  is  formed  like  a  stage  of  a  Theatre  with  curtains,  & 
for  scenery. 

9.  This  morning  we  saw  the  stones  which  they  cut  at  Westford 
out  of  the  mountains,  which  are  now  had  in  such  abundance  & 
with  such  ease  that  whole  Cellars  from  their  foundations  are  built 
with  them.  From  these  Chelmsford  as  well  as  Westford  Meeting 
Houses  were  supplied  with  the  stones  in  their  foundations.  In 
company  with  Mr.  Prescot,  after  breakfast  at  his  house,  we  passed 
to  Groton  &  were  kindly  desposed  of  at  Gardiner's  near  the  Meeting 
House.  At  this  place  we  found  that  no  arrangements  were  made 
for  our  reception,  as  the  letters  had  not  been  communicated,  &  an- 
other person  had  been  asked  to  preach  at  Amherst.  All  these  mat- 
ters were  at  length  adjusted  by  the  Grand  Master,  Mr.  Nath. 
Adams,  upon  his  arrival  in  the  evening.  Groton  Meeting  House 
has  been  lately  repaired.     It  was  much  injured  by  lightning  which 


232  DIARY   OP  [Aug. 

destroyed  the  steeple  &  the  end  of  the  House  contiguous  to  it.  The 
Academy  is  a  plain  building  without  paint.  It  has  about  20  stu- 
dents ,  as  has  that  at  Westf ord,  but  Pemberton  has  60.  The  num- 
ber is  very  variable  &  depends  upon  the  time  of  year.  In  the  Ma- 
sonic service  everything  was  conducted  well.  Mr.  Harris  gave  us  a 
pertinent  discourse  &  Brother  Thomas  delivered  a  charge.  The 
consecration  was  in  the  public  assembly,  which  was  large  and  bril- 
liant. We  dined  abroad  under  a  very  convenient  booth.  A  contri- 
bution was  raised  for  Brother  Harris  &  his  discourse  is  to  be  print- 
ed. We  visited  Gen.  Prescot,  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  &  lodged  at  his  Son's,  Dr.  Oliver  Prescott's,  half  a  mile 
below  his  Father's. 

10.  We  rose  early  to  go  to  Amherst.  The  G.  M.  &  Capt  Whiting 
attended  us  upon  our  route.  We  breakfasted  at  Mr.  S.  Dana's  & 
stopped  at  Capt.  Whiting's  in  Hollis  &  reached  Amherst  at  ten 
o'clock.  In  this  rout  we  passed  the  Nashua  in  Hollis,  a  smaller  riv- 
er called  the  Nissitisset,  &  then  the  Souhegan  west  &  a  branch  of  it 
before  we  reach  the  plain  on  which  the  Town  stands.  This  was  the 
Indian  name  of  Amherst.  The  Lodge  assembled  at  Judge  Dana's, 
who  is  Judge  of  Probate,  formerly  Minister  of  Groton,  since  at  the 
Bar,  &  who  is  Master  of  the  Lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  were  re- 
ceived after  twelve  &  we  proceeded  to  the  Meeting  House  about  one. 
The  Clergy  did  not  assist  us  in  the  Meeting  House,  &  after  Sermon 
&  the  Consecration,  the  Master  of  the  Benevolent  Lodge  gave  an. 
address.  We  dined  in  the  Assembly  Room,  &  the  greatest  good  or- 
der &  conviviality  appeared  through  the  day.  After  service  I  re- 
turned to  Col.  Mean's,  where  I  had  been  introduced  by  G.  M. 
Adams.  I  passed  the  Street  &  found  from  the  Monument  lately 
erected  to  the  Memory  of  their  first  Pastor,  that  when  he  received 
his  settlement  in  1741,  he  had  but  14  families.  In  1790  there  were 
three  parishes  &  2369  souls.  This  place  was  granted  by  Massachu- 
setts &  at  first  called  Souhegan  West.  It  is  now  a  Shire  Town  of 
Hillsborough.  The  General  Court  sometimes  meets  here  &  the 
Courts  of  Justice  are  held  here.  I  visited  a  spot  eastward  half  a 
mile  where  the  first  meeting  House  stood.  The  present  House  ia 
handsomely  painted,  with  a  steeple  &  Bell.  They  have  a  Court 
House  which  serves  also  for  an  Academy.  The  Academy  has  not 
yet  sufficient  funds  but  we  found  an  Instructor  in  it.  The  goal  is 
small  but  has  two  stories  of  wrought  stone  &  contains  four  rooms. 
On  the  south  west  side  it  appears  only  of  one  story.  The  upper 
story  is  of  wood.  The  Assembly  room  is  sufficient  to  receive  200 
people,  has  a  music  gallery,  &  is  arched  &  illuminated  by  Chande- 
liers. In  the  family  of  Col.  Means  we  found  the  most  engaging 
manners.  The  Col.  has  an  excellent  person  &  his  wife  has  a  very 
good  countenance.  The  daughters  are  well  instructed.  To  an  ease 
of  manner  they  have  united  a  proficiency  in  the  female  accomplish- 
ments.    Their  little  library  was  well  chosen.     Their  needle   work 


1797]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  233 

was  of  the  first  character  &  some  efforts  at  painting  were  pleasing. 
Dancing  forms  a  lovely  amusement  &  conversation  has  its  richest 
pleasures  in  their  company.  The  House  was  disposed  with  taste  & 
hospitality  was  the  element  of  their  virtue.  In  Company  with  the 
two  eldest,  Betsey  &  Polly,  we  walked  at  sundown  to  Esqr.  Ather- 
ton's,  the  Attorney  General's  House,  &  there  we  had  a  family 
dance.  In  this  Gentleman  we  found  everything  agreeable.  His 
lady  was  affable  &  the  daughters  amiable  &  lovely.  In  good  season 
we  returned  to  Col.  Means  and  after  the  happy  exercises  of  devo- 
tion retired  to  rest. 

11.  In  the  morning  a  copy  of  the  discourse  was  requested  by  a 
Committee,  &  at  length  consent  was  given  after  every  proper  remon- 
strance. Such  persons  do  not  consider  how  soon  the  joy  of  such 
moments  may  be  lost.  In  company  with  the  G.  M.  this  morning 
we  visited  the  Master  &  breakfasted  with  him.  There  were  still 
the  appearances  of  a  Country  minister's  family,  &  we  were  kindly 
received.  We  then,  in  company  with  the  G.  M.,  proceeded  home- 
ward. We  stopped  &  paid  our  compliments  to  Esq*"  Atherton,  & 
there  parted  with  the  G.  M.  We  continued  our  route  by  the  new 
road,  through  a  part  of  Merrimac  and  at  fifteen  miles  reached  Pol- 
lard's in  Dunstable.  We  there  had  our  homely  fare  &  found  Mr. 
Kidder  the  minister  lately  dismissed  for  inability.  We  then 
stopped  at  Houston's  in  Tyngsborough.  Here  we  were  upon  the 
banks  of  Merrimac  River  &  the  prospect  was  enchanting.  We  had 
the  curious  history  of  Col.  Tyng,  the  parent  of  these  settlements, 
who  lately  deceased  aged  93  years.  A  Betty  Pitts  is  the  heir  of 
this  landed  interest,  extending  as  far  as  Groton  7  miles.  The  Meet- 
ing House  is  beautifully  situated  upon  the  banks  and  at  a  bend  in 
the  River.  It  is  painted  white  [and]  has  a  fine  tower  ornamented 
with  a  double  row  of  turrets.  The  Houses  near  look  well,  &  the 
whole  has  an  uncommon  effect.  Just  below  we  came  to  another 
branch  of  the  Tyng  family  &  we  found  great  repairs  going  on  upon 
the  buildings.  We  then  passed  Chelmsford  neck  &  viewed  the 
triple  locks  of  hewn  stone  which  were  nearly  finished  on  the  bank 
of  the  Merrimac  to  receive  the  waters  of  the  Concord.  We  then 
passed  the  Stony  River  &  soon  reached  the  Concord  &  continued 
till  we  reached  Rogers'  in  Tewkesbury,  a  mile  beyond  the  Meeting 
House,  where  we  had  agreable  accomodations  for  the  night. 

12.  In  the  morning  we  took  our  course  homewards.  At  Tewkes- 
bury Meeting  House  we  found  some  new  buildings  &  the  Meeting 
House  well  repaired  &  painted.  Soon  we  came  into  our  former 
route  &  reached  Salem  after  twelve  o'clock. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Thomas  Palfrey  &  Wife,  her  delivery, 
pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Benj*  Brown  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for 
Brethren  at  Sea. 

16.  Mr.  Derby  &  Company  went  into  the  Bay  to  try  the  Ketch. 
At  Boston  this  day  the  President  of  the  United  States,  Mr.  Adams, 


234  DIARY  OP  [Aug. 

was  to  be  received  with  great  ceremony.     I  had  several  amusements 
but  particularly  the  cold  bath  of  the  evening,  with  a  sportive  company. 

17.  An  uncommon  number  of  Lobsters  taken  this  year  in  nets 
upon  the  bar  &  near  the  rocks,  &  a  great  plenty  of  mackerel.  A 
smaller  number  than  usual  of  the  Horse  Shoe  or  Molucca  crab,  tho' 
abundance  of  the  small  crab.  The  tautauog  has  been  taken  more 
frequently  than  is  usual. 

18.  The  Sport  of  Fowling  seems  daily  to  increase.  Few  till 
lately  have  been  seen  upon  the  neck  in  this  sport,  who  had  not  mo- 
tives of  gain.  But  now  parents  &  children  are  seen  engaged  & 
lately  the  small  birds  called  peeps  have  been  killed  in  great  num- 
bers.    20  have  been  killed  in  several  instances  at  a  shot. 

19.  Mr.  Clark  Brown  with  me.  About  two  years  since  he  was 
ordained  at  the  Brattle  Street  Church,  over  the  Church  at  Machias, 
C.  of  Washington.  The  increase  of  lay  preachers  made  his  living 
incompetent  &  he  has  asked  a  dismission.  This  evil  is  severely  felt 
in  Maine. 

20.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Sarah  Millet,  d.  of  her  Brother  in 
Law  Millet,  suddenly.  He  was  sexton  at  Hopkin's,  pr.  for  Son  at 
Sea.  R.  Manning  jun"^  &  wife  &  children,  d.  of  her  Sister  Giddins 
at  Claremont,  N.  H. 

21.  Mr.  Gibaut  &  Bowditch  have  engaged  to  perfect  upon  a 
small  scale  the  whole  map  of  the  town,  &  are  now  employed  upon 
the  business. 

22.  Last  night  one  John  Moriarty,  an  Irishman,  well  known  for 
his  revels,  was  upon  his  late  return  homewards,  &  being  ill  able  to 
find  his  way,  both  from  the  darkness  of  the  night  &  of  his  own  fac- 
ulties, tumbled  into  a  well  in  Ash  Street,  which  was  deep  but  en- 
tirely dry,  &  perished.  He  was  not  found  until  towards  night, 
having  been  about  twelve  hours  in  this  condition.  Said  John  has 
been  a  remarkable  settler  of  accounts,  &  very  busy  in  litigious  suits 
at  Law,  a  writer  in  the  Clerk's  office  &  at  last  a  Bookseller.  He 
came  from  Ireland  to  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  &  at  the  Commencement  of 
the  Am.  war,  to  Salem.  Purchased  an  estate  belonging  to  the 
Heirs  of  Rev.  Prescot  in  Danvers  &  lost  it  &  went  through  many 
revolutions  in  his  affairs.  A  daughter  with  whom  he  lived,  has 
lately  arrived,  for  he  left  his  family  behind,  excepting  one  Son, 
whose  widow  with  two  children  are  of  this  place.  The  woman  who 
prepared  his  grave  Cloathes,  found  his  pinch  of  snuff  fast  between 
his  thumb  &  finger. 

23.  Mr.  Wm.  Manning  this  year  has  been  into  Canada.  The 
route  he  took  going  up,  he  told  me  was,  to  pass  the  Connecticut  at 
Lyme  in  New  Hampshire,  &  take  the  course  of  Onion  river  to  Bur- 
lington, then  to  cross  to  the  grand  Isles  in  Lake  Champlain.  But 
the  passage  being  disagreable  to  ride  in  the  water  to  the  Islands  he 
returned  by  Mischosconi  Bay,  passing  through  High  Gate  &  St.  Al- 
bions,  &  then  entering  his  old  route. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D  235 

24.  The  last  reports  that  Pickney  would  be  received  in  France 
lias  enlivened  the  countenances  of  our  Merchants,  &  more  vessels  in 
port  are  ready  to  sail.  A  French  Privateer  lays  in  Marblehead  & 
the  sailors  are  continually  passing  through  this  Town. 

27.  Sunday.  A  INIethodist  has  applied  for  the  Court  House  in 
this  Town  for  public  preaching,  but  the  request  was  not  granted. 

28.  We  had  this  day,  the  funeral  of  a  young  Black,  born  of  Af- 
rican Parents,  according  to  the  rites  of  the  Church  of  England. 
The  appearance  was  pleasing  to  humanity.  Tho'  the  number  of 
men  was  not  great  yet  that  of  the  women  was  so.  All  of  them 
were  clean  &  they  were  dressed  from  common  life  up  to  the  high- 
est fashions.  "We  saw  the  plain  homespun  &  the  rich  Indian  Mus- 
lins &,  trail,  so  that  they  completely  aped  the  manners  of  the 
whites  &  in  happiness  seemed  to  surpass  them.  They  did  not 
-express  so  much  sorrow  at  the  funeral,  as  real  gratification  at  ap- 
pearing so  well,  a  greater  sympathy  with  the  living  happily  than 
the  bereaved. 

29.  Mr.  Nancrede,  the  Editor  of  the  Am.  ed.  of  the  Transl.  of  St. 
Pierre's  Studies  of  Nature,  was  with  me.  He  was  desirous  to  ex- 
tend the  sale  in  Salem,  in  which  he  had  not  sold  a  single  copy.  It 
is  pleasing  to  see  how  easy  it  is  to  extend  a  literary  correspondence 
upon  one's  tongue.  He  tells  of  an  intended  Magazine  under  Den- 
nie  of  Walpole,  the  Editor  of  the  Farmer's  Museum.  This  Gazette 
has  gotten  him  great  fame.  He  has  above  2,000  subscribers  &  a 
considerable  number  even  in  Salem,  are  upon  the  subscription  left 
at  Dabney's.  Mr.  Archer's  funeral  this  evening  was  with  a  long 
procession. 

30.  Went  to  the  Market  House  to  see  the  Elephant.  The  crowd 
of  spectators  forbad  me  any  but  a  general  &  superficial  view  of  him. 
He  was  six  feet  four  inches  high.  Of  large  Volume,  his  skin  black, 
as  tho'  lately  oiled.  A  short  hair  was  on  every  part,  but  not  suf- 
ficient for  a  covering.  His  tail  hung  one  third  of  his  height,  but 
without  any  long  hairs  at  the  end  of  it.  His  legs  were  still  at  com- 
mand at  the  joints,  but  he  could  not  be  persuaded  to  lie  down.  The 
Keeper  repeatedly  mounted  him  but  he  persisted  in  shaking  him  off. 
Bread  &  Hay  were  given  him  and  he  took  bread  out  of  the  pockets 
of  the  Spectators.  He  also  drank  porter  &  drew  the  cork,  convey- 
ing the  liquor  from  his  trunk  into  his  throat.  His  Tusks  were 
just  to  be  seen  beyond  the  flesh,  &  it  was  said  had  been  broken. 
We  say  his  because  the  common  language.  It  is  a  female  &  teats 
appeared  just  behind  the  fore-legs. 

September  1.  [1797]  Spent  the  evening  at  the  River  Street, 
commonly  called  Cape  Driver,  passed  the  river  into  North  Fields, 
at  the  place  called  Paradise  &  returned  in  a  Moses  Boat. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  Eliz.  Archer  &  children,  d.  of  her  Hus- 
band, Son  at  Sea.  Benj»  Knight  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Br.  Archer. 
Jona  Archer  &  wife,  James  Archer  &  Wife  &  Jacob  Norman  & 


236  DIARY  OF  [Sept- 

Wife,  death  of  their  Father  Archer,  pr.  Br.  at  Sea.     Sarah  Millet, 
d.  of  her  F.  Archer,  Husband  at  Sea. 

4.  Walked  with  Logan  to  the  Hill,  called  Paradise,  which  is 
seated  at  the  bend  of  North  River  on  the  north  side  &  back  of  the 
intended  new  road  which  has  lately  been  laid  ont  in  Northfields  to  run 
from  the  Bridge  to  Frye's  Mills.  The  property  is  very  extensive  & 
the  most  beautiful  near  the  Town.  At  Frye's  Mills,  under  one 
Nichols,  is  a  Mill  to  grind  Bark  which  it  performs  by  water  expe- 
ditiously, grinding  a  cord  in  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  The  mill 
is  constructed  upon  the  general  principles  of  a  grist  mill,  excepting 
it  stands  higher  for  the  benefit  of  the  loft,  has  the  eye  of  the  stone 
more  open,  &  the  mouth  wider,  to  discharge  the  ground  bark.  The 
bark  is  broken  by  feeding  the  mill  over  a  Break,  which  consists  of 
two  iron  bars  passing  between  two  wooden  ones,  &  raised  by  the 
help  of  levers  &  moving  upon  an  axis  at  one  end,  &  so  falling  with 
all  their  weight  upon  the  bars. 

5.  The  Town  have  accepted  the  road  leading  from  Pleasant 
Street  to  Bridge  Street,  &  the  road  bet.  Gardner's  land  &  the  Char- 
ity house.  Proposals  have  been  made  to  the  Town  to  accept  the' 
Aqueduct  for  public  purposes,  provided  a  larger  conduit  be  provid- 
ed.    It  is  left  to  a  Committee. 

6.  The  antifederal  party  have  attempted  to  make  disquiets  rel- 
ative to  the  visit  of  the  President  at  Boston.  Some  few  inflama- 
tory  tempers  have  caught  in  this  Town.  Mobs  were  thought  of  in 
Boston,  &  we  are  told  that  a  mob  was  in  contemplation  when  the 
French  Privateer  lately  lay  in  Marblehead.  Thus  the  vulgar  of 
each  party  are  impelled  by  the  same  prejudices  to  opposite  mea- 
sures. The  mob  in  Boston  was  to  disturb  the  preparations  for  the 
President.     Only  a  few  excentricities  appeared. 

7.  Rainy,  lowry  &  cold  all  day.  Several  vessels  put  into 
our  Harbour.  Among  the  Gotha  learned  Gazettes  I  find  the  Re- 
viewer not  friendly  to  Morse.  He  speaks  of  Morse's  second  ed. 
1792  as  rather  a  catch  penny  thing.  See  the  article  1796,  p.  751. 
Morse's  Gazeteer  &  Scot's  are  with  the  public. 

9.  Rode  with  Logan  round  the  square  over  Essex  Bridge  by 
Putnam's  Plain  over  Northfield  Bridge.  Visited  the  Factory  for 
Bed  Ticks.  Here  they  manufacture  at  present  24,000  yards  a 
year.  Their  prices  are  from  one  dollar  to  70  cents.  At  the  Iron 
Manufactory  at  Waters'  Bridge,  we  found  the  Anchor  smiths  at 
work.  The  furnaces  &  the  slitting  mills  were  at  rest.  They  had 
been  rolling  shovel  plates  in  the  morning.  Their  grist  Mill  has  not 
yet  been  at  work.  They  have  trip  hammers  as  well  as  lift  hammers 
&  have  multiplied  their  bellows,  which  go  by  water,  since  was 
here  last. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  Philip  English  &  children,  d.  of  his  Son 
Waters.  Joseph  Waters  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Brother  John.  Lydia 
Dean  &  Children,  d.  of  her  Brother  Waters,  pr.  of  her  Brother  B. 


1797]  WILLIAM    BENTLEV,    I).    D  237 

Waters  &  Caroll  dang,  sick  by  long  infirmity.  George  Hodges,  d. 
of  his  wife  in  his  absence,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  James  Collins 
&  Wife,  for  her    sick,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea. 

11.  Walked  with  Mr.  B.  to  the  new  Mills,  &  thence  by  Rial's 
Side  through  Beverly  homewards.  Saw  at  Brown's  a  new  frame  of 
a  Mill  erected  upon  the  Bass  River,  where  the  old  mill  stood,  which 
looked  well.  At  the  low  tide  the  workmen  were  engaged  on  the 
stone  work  near  the  flood  gates.  Mr.  S.  Lassell  died  this  afternoon. 
He  said  he  was  from  Rhode  island,  had  been  married  in  England, 
came  into  this  Town,  has  been  married  18  years,  &  had  no  children 
here.  Has  been  paralytic  13  years  &  sustained  a  most  excellent 
character. 

13.  A  pleasant  day  &  many  vessels  left  this  port  for  Sea. 
Many  vessels  in  at  Beverly  &  Marblehead  with  plentiful  fares  of 
fish.  Mr.  Biglow*  applied  for  Lodgings  at  my  House.  He  is  a 
Schoolmaster  &  Preacher. 

14.  Two  fire  Engines  have  arrived  from  London  for  this  Town, 
at  Boston.  The  Old  Church  has  been  painted  anew  within,  &  rich- 
ly ornamented  by  a  suit  of  damask  for  the  Pulpit. 

17.  Sunday.  Margaret  Lassell  &  Children,  d.  of  her  Husband. 
James  Collins  &  Children,  d.  of  his  Wife,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Wid- 
ow Masury  &  Children,  d.  of  her  d.  Collins.  John  Collins  &  Wife, 
d.  of  Sister  Collins,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Sarah  Shehane,  d.  of  her 
Sister  Collins,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Mary  Ledbetter,  d.  of  Son  in 
law  Collins,  pr.  for  absent  friends. 

18.  Have  seen  the  new  Engines.  They  work  upon  the  sides  as 
formerly,  but  discharge  by  a  pipe  at  the  end  of  the  cistern,  so  that 
the  pipe  is  managed  on  the  ground.  They  have  suction  hose  & 
the  cistern  is  not  half  the  depth  of  the  Philadelphia  Engine. 

19.  Went  in  Company  with  Capt.  Gibaut's  friends,  in  Newhall's 
Stage  &  reached  Boston  at  eleven,  to  see  the  Launch  of  the  Frigate 
CONSTITUTION.  Went  to  Mr.  Dunlap's  &  visited  the  Long 
Wharf,  which  has  now  another  pump  &  the  old  whai'ves  are  re- 
paired &  have  very  large  stores  upon  them.     Saw  Mr.  Prebble    & 

■  had  an  invitation  to  go  with  him  &  see  the  Launching. 

20.  Laid  off  in  the  Portland  Packet,  but  we  were  disappointed. 
No  means  could  succeed  &  the  Frigate  moved  only  19  feet.  The 
Concourse  was  great  &  nearly  200  boats  &  Vessels  of  all  sizes  were 
anchored  in  the  river.  The  Shores  of  Charleston  &  of  Noddles  Is- 
land were  covered,  as  were  the  tops  of  all  the  houses.  No  damage 
was  done,  excepting  some  of  the  small  craft  went  foul  of  each 
other,  but  without  great  injury.  After  dinner  I  walked  over  the 
bridge  to  Charleston,  Went  below  the  old  Battery  &  then  passed 
over  Breed's  hill,  surveyed  the  monument  upon  Gen.  Warren,  & 
then  returned  to  the  road  up  Bunker's  Hill.     Here  a  Fandango  is 

*WilIiam  Biglow,  author  of  several  text  books,  and  afterwards  scboolmaater  at  Bostoa 
and  Natick. 


238  DIARY   OF  [Sept. 

erected,  which  was  invented  at  Haverhill.  On  two  ropes  a  chain 
slides  down  hill  to  a  place  accomodated  to  receive  it,  with  the 
person  who  dismounts  below.  We  visited  the  new  Mill  seat,  which 
was  preparing  for  water  works  in  this  Town  &  at  dark  returned. 

21.  On  this  day  I  visited  Mr.  Freeman  who  accompanied  me  to 
Mr,  Swan's  &  went  with  me  to  examine  the  Court}  House.  The 
Council  Chamber  is  at  the  west  end  &  the  Senate  at  the  east  &  the 
Rep.  Chamber  between.  It  is  to  be  finished  within  so  that  the  As- 
sembly may  meet  in  it  next  winter.  There  is  an  extensive  view 
from  the  Cupola  on  the  Dome,  The  Columns  in  front  stand  on 
brick  arches,  &  the  front  is  laid  with  freestone  within  the  arches. 
In  the  afternoon  I  returned  to  Salem  in  the  Stage.  At  Lynn  I  was 
informed  that  in  Shoemaking  business  they  had  many  apprentices 
from  Marblehead.  The  present  number  far  exceeds  one  hundred. 
This  is  owing  to  the  discouragement  in  the  fisheries. 

22.  The  launching  of  the  Frigate  was  again  attempted  in  vain. 
People  not  so  numerous  as  before. 

24.  Sunday.  Note.  Henry  Webb  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  Breth- 
ren at  Sea, 

25.  Visited  the  Iron  Factory  at  Waters'  Bridge,  which  has  suf- 
fered from  the  carrying  away  the  gates.  The  water  undermined 
the  wall  &  let  down  the  nail  machine  &  the  Rod  house  &  did  con- 
siderable damage.     The  Iron  is  nearly  all  recovered. 

26.  The  Gazette  gives  notice  that  Page  at  New  Mills,  Crane 
River,  Danvers,  has  had  gr.  success  in  the  fishery.  A  Sch.  of  86 
tons  has  delivered  above  a  thousand  Quintals  of  Fish  &  24  Br  :  of 
oil  this  week.  In  1792  the  same  had  a  fare  of  1176  quintals  &  in 
1793,  1469  at  one  fare  from  the  Bay  of  St.  Lawrence,  These  are 
the  largest  fares  known  says  the  Gazette. 

28.  Last  night  my  good  friend  Gen.  Fiske  had  another  &  more 
violent  shock  of  Apoplexy.  I  was  called  from  my  bed  at  one 
o'clock  &  continued  with  him  till  43  minutes  after  one  next  day, 
just  after  dinner,  when  he  died.  The  Convulsions  were  strong, the 
aid  of  the  Physician  was  administered  in  vain,  he  lay  senseless  till 
he  expired.  Thus  ended  the  life  of  my  friend,  Major  General 
John  Fiske,  ^t,  63.  The  best  &  most  constant  of  friends.  Ever 
since  June,  1795,  he  has  been  deranged  by  a  stroke  of  apoplexy  & 
palsy. 

29,  It  being  found  impracticable  to  keep  the  body  of  Gen.  Fiske, 
his  funeral  was  fixed  for  this  day,  &  letters  sent  to  his  friends  in 
the  neighboring  towns.  All  the  Vessels  in  the  Harbour  hoisted 
their  colors  half  mast  on  the  occasion.  The  Artillery  turned  out  in 
uniform  &  fired  minute  guns,  the  shipping  did  the  same.  The  Ca- 
dets did  the  honours  of  the  procession  &  fired  three  vollies  at  the 
grave.  The  Marine  Society  preceeded  the  Corpse  &  followed  the 
Cadets.     The  pall  was  supported  by 

Capt.  Edward  Gibaut,  an  old  neighbor  &  friend. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  239 

Col.  Pickman,  an  intimate  companion. 

Maj.  General  Abbot,  the  Military  friend  in  his  promotion. 

Capt.  Haraden,  the  naval  commander  with  him  in  State  service. 

Hon.  Jo.  Norris,  with  him  in  business  formerly. 

Capt.  B.  Hodges,  who  holds  his  Store  &  is  with  him  in  East  So- 
ciety affairs. 

The  most  reputable  people  attended  in  the  procession  &  the 
whole  was  conducted  amidst  a  crowd  of  Spectators. 

30.  Yesterday  I  attended  the  funeral  from  the  Charity  House, 
of  a  woman  named  Hannah  Pitman,  wife  of  Joshua,  both  in  the 
House.  She  was  a  Stealy.  A  woman  of  very  bad  character.  They 
have  had  many  children,  &  three  survive  them,  two  sons  &  a  daugh- 
ter, provided  for  in  private  families.  She  was  a  woman  of  uncom- 
mon strength  &  activity.  Her  illness  short.  A  colic  with  mortifi- 
cation of  the  bowels  soon  finished  her.     Very  dissolute. 

October  1.  [1797]  Sunday.  Notes,  Sarah  Pisk  &  child,  d.  of 
General  Pisk,  her  husband.  John  Edwards  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Br. 
Pisk,  pr.  Son  at  Sea.  Wid.  Sarah  Stivers,  d.  of  her  Br.  Fisk. 
Eleanor  Odell,  d.  of  her  youngest  Child.  Sam'  Archer  &  wife,  her 
delivery,  pr,  for  absent  friends.  Joseph  Webb  &  wife,  her  delivery, 
pr.  for  brethren  at  sea.     William  Lane  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

4.  Dr.  Keed  supposed  that  Newhall  of  Stow,  has  stolen  part  of 
his  machinery  &  not  gotten  a  patent  for  it.  The  Waters'  Bridge 
party  say  that  Perkins  has  destroyed  clandestinely  some  works  in 
his  neighbourhood.  The  little  squabbles  among  these  Mechanic 
geniusses,  or  duckies,  are  as  curious  as  between  our  itinerant  Bap- 
tists &  Methodist  preachers.  Capt.  Allen's  Scotch  John,  who  pre- 
tended to  squeese  the  nose  of  the  old  man's  pump  to  get  water,  has 
most  artfully  robbed  the  old  man's  stores  to  carry  abroad.  He  was 
by  trade  a  Smuggler. 

6.  Walked  with  Logan  by  Clay  Brook  to  the  Hospital,  Pick- 
man's  farm,  &  Legg's  Hill,  &  through  the  Dungeons  into  Marble- 
head  road.  We  repaired  the  monument  on  Legg's  Hill.  A  Priend 
gave  me  as  I  passed,  a  Cantelope,  a  species  of  Melon  for  the  first 
time  cultivated  among  us. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Eliz.  Masury,  d.  of  her  Husband.  Sam' 
Masury  &  Wife  &  children,  d.  of  his  father,  pr.  for  son  &  children 
at  sea. 

9.  Capt.  Collins'  Brother  who  purchased  Hooper's  Estate  near 
Duck,  alias  Cow  House  river,  has  arrived  with  his  family  from 
Liverpool,  Nova  Scotia,  to  reside    here.     It  is  a  blooming  family. 

11.  This  day  was  the  Review  on  the  Common.  Capt.  Lawrence 
of  the  Cadets  was  the  head  of  the  Regiment.  The  Cadets  Sa  Artil- 
lery did  well.     The  firings  were  upon  the  Common. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Watson  &  Wife  &  ch.,  death  of  his 
Mother  Watson,  pr.  absent  friends.  Wid.  Mary  Gardner,  d.  of  her 
Sister  Watson.     Martha  Chard,  d.  of  her  husband  abroad,  pr.  for 


240  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

Sods  at  Sea.  Thomas  Palfrey  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Father,  pr.  for 
Brethren  at  Sea.  James  Very  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Father  Palfrey,  pr. 
for  Brother  at  Sea.  Singing  failing,  only  the  master  at  the  Tenour 
&  a  man  at  the  Bass  Viol.     The  Ladies  yet  attend. 

16.  This  day  one  Robinson  below  the  Church  took  Ratsbane  & 
distroyed  himself.  Attempts  to  relieve  him  were  in  vain.  It  was 
4said  to  have  been  done  in  consequence  of  a  fray  between  himself  & 
his  wife.  Gwiu  the  Overseer  of  the  Ropewalk  says  he  paid  him  off 
on  Saturday  &  he  was  in  good  condition.  Robinson  has  been  in  the 
Charity  House.  He  has  left  a  wife  &  six  children.  Robinson  was 
an  Englishman. 

19.  In  consequence  of  some  pecuniary  engagements  to  a  Brother 
in  law,  James  Greenleaf,  Mr.  John  Appleton,*  Son  of  Rev<*  A.  of 
Cambridge,  has  been  obliged  to  declare  himself  insolvent.  The 
sum  is  reported  to  be  40,000  dollars.  This  G.  of  Boston  has  been  a 
great  speculator  &  has  involved  a  man  who  has  accumulated  prop- 
erty by  the  most  severe  economy,  &  by  all  those  advantages  which 
political  confusion  offer,  but  is  caught  at  last. 

21.  Did  not  go  down  to  Gen.  Fiske's  this  day.  Ever  since  my 
ordination  I  have  dined  at  this  House.  But  since  my  old  friend 
has  gone,  I  wish  gradually  to  prepare  myself  for  the  dissolution  of 
this  very  happy  connection. 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  B.  Ward,  d.  of  his  wife.  Wid.  Susannah 
Babbidge  &  Daughter,  d.  of  Daugh.  Ward,  pr.  for  absent  friends. 
Jona  Mason  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Sister  Ward,  pr.  for  absent  friends. 
Joseph  Hosmer  &  Wife,  her  delivery. 

23.  This  morning  died  Wid.  Eliz.  Jeffrey,  set.  62,  a  daughter  of 
the  well  known  Esqr.  Bowditch  &  the  inheritor  of  his  Estate.  She 
has  left  all  to  a  daughter  married  to  a  Reed.f  Deacon  Lewis  Hunt, 
set.  51,  has  died  after  long  indisposition.  He  was  D.  of  the  Old  or 
First  Church.  Also  B.  Waters,  48.  He  married  a  sister  of  the 
Hon.  Nathan  Dane.  He  has  been  long  infirm  &  useless.  His  chil- 
dren are  agreable.  Mr.  Logan  presented  to  me  a  fruit  of  the  TO- 
MATOES. It  is  used  in  sauces  in  South  Carolina.  This  was  raised 
in  Salem  from  seed  brought  from  that  State. 

25.  Yesterday  was  the  Military  review  at  Beverly  &  on  the  pre- 
eeeding  day  at  Gloucester.  Essex  Reviews  this  year  have  not  been 
in  pleasant  weather.  The  review  at  Lynn  was  in  the  past  week. 
Some  complain  in  town  bitterly  of  the  Military  Law  for  its  exemp- 
tions. We  have  gotten  to  such  times  as  to  be  dissatisfied  with  ev- 
erything. The  State  of  Commerce  holds  many  in  fretful  uncer- 
tainty. How  extensive  are  the  regions  of  discontent.  How  miser- 
able men  become  in  regard  to  things  they  cannot  know  or 
influence. 

•Built  and  occupied  the  brick  building  on  the  corner  of  Essex  street  and  Barton 
square.  Kept  a  store  in  which  Benjamin  Thompson  (Count  Rumford)  served  as  an  ap- 
prentice. 

tHon.  Nathan  Bead. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLBY,   D.    D.  241 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  Samuel  Cavltou  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Brother 
Hunt,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Benja.  Waters  with  his  Brethren  &  Sis- 
ter, d.  of  their  Father.  Joseph  Waters  &  wife,  d.  his  lirother. 
Christiana  Waters,  d.  of  her  Brother  in  Law  Waters,  since  d.  of  her 
husband.  Widow  Lydia  Dean,  d.  of  her  Brother  Waters.  Widow 
Mary  Stephens  &  her  Sister  ISIargaret  Valpy,  d.  of  their  Mother 
Valpy.     James  Creely  &  Wife,  d.  of  her  Mother  Valpy. 

31.  I  left  Salem  in  company  with  young  Logan,  to  visit  Milton, 
on  the  intended  Ordination  of  the  next  day.  We  passed  through 
Medford,  which  seems  in  a  flourishing  situation  &  reached  Cam- 
bridge at  one  o'clock.  We  went  to  the  public  House  &  thence  to 
the  Court  House  where  we  heard  the  Charge  to  the  Grand  Jury  by 
Judge  Dana,  &  the  customary  prayers  by  Mr.  Holmes.  The  Judge 
was  particular  ag.  Sedition  &  in  providing  cautions  ag.  the  neglect 
of  Highways,  pointing  out  some  places  which  deserve  the  notice  of 
the  Jury.  The  Steps  of  the  Court  House  now  lead  into  the  House 
by  the  sides  of  the  door  &  not  in  front  direct  as  before.  At  dinner 
I  found  Leonard  Williams,  Student  in  Law,  Son  of  our  former  Pro- 
fessor, who  lives  at  Rutland,  Vermont.  He  informed  me  that  his 
Father  was  continuing  his  History  of  Vermont  in  another  Volume. 
After  dinner  we  waited  upon  the  President  of  the  College  at  his  In- 
vitation &  were  kindly  received.  He  was  enquiring  for  a  Candi- 
date to  go  to  Orangeburg  in  South  Carolina.  We  retired  &  touk  tea 
at  Mr.  Holmes'  the  minister  of  the  Parish.  He  was  Son  in  Law  to 
the  celebrated  Dr.  Stiles,  President  of  Yale  College,  &  has  the  cu- 
rious Library  which  that  great  Antiquarian  had  collected.  In  the 
evening  we  passed  to  Wm.  Winthrops  on  Phipp's  Farm.  This  gen- 
tleman has  amused  himself  in  his  leisure  hours  with  the  History  of 
all  persons  included  in  the  Catalogue  of  Graduates  in  Harvard  Col- 
lege.    He  has  had  great  success. 

November  1.  [1797]  We  rose  early  &  went  to  Judge  Winthrop's, 
but  being  desirous  to  be  in  season  at  ]Milton,  we  only  passed  com- 
pliments &  went  on  &  took  breakfast  at  the  Punch  Bowl  in  Brook- 
lyne.  Here  we  met  Dr.  Aspinwall,  who  has  been  so  successful  in 
this  place  in  the  Inoculation  for  the  Small  Pox.  We  employed  the 
hours  in  conversation  on  the  merits  of  Father  Jackson  &  the  hap- 
piness of  a  resettlement  at  so  early  a  period.  The  family,  includ- 
ing the  relict  &  her  daughter,  have  removed  to  Braintree,  to  the 
House  of  the  gentleman  the  daughter  has  married.  We  passed 
from  this  place  to  Roxbury  &  called  upon  the  governour.  We  found 
him  at  his  table  with  his  Lady  at  breakfast,  just  done.  A  former 
freedom  entitled  me  to  this  visit  &  we  were  very  kindly  received. 
Conversation  upon  Salem,  &c.  filled  up  the  hour  &  we  passed  on  for 
Milton.  The  roads  were  full  &  at  eleven  we  reached  the  Meeting 
House.  We  left  our  Horse  &  Chaise  at  Col.  Joseph  Vose  &  travelled 
a  mile  up  the  road  to  spend  the  time  till  the  Council  should  come  from 
the    Village  at    the  Bridge   to   the  Meeting  House.      Here     Mr. 


242  DIARY   OF  [Nov. 

Hill  joined  us,  &  Mr.  Jenks,  the  one  a  Swedenborgian  &  the  other 
an  ingenious  graduate  of  Cambridge  &  Schoolmaster  in  Boston. 
After  various  conversation  Ave  returned  &  reached  the  Meeting 
House  just  after  the  Service  had  begun.  The  House  was  crowded, 
tho'  new,  large,  &  spatious.  Dr.  Thacher  of  Boston,  made  the  in- 
troductory prayer  with  his  usual  fervour.  Mr.  Eliot  of  Boston, 
preached  a  candid,  catholic  &  proper  discourse.  Dr.  Haven  of  Ded- 
ham,  presided.  Mr.  Dana  of  Ipswich,  made  the  ordaining  prayer 
with  uncommon  solemnity.  Dr.  Haven  gave  the  charge,  explaining 
its  candid  intent.  Mr.  Bradford  of  Roxbury,  made  the  last  prayer 
with  pathos.  Mr.  Harris  of  Dorchester,  gave  the  fellowship,  so  ex- 
pressive of  his  character,  &  the  whole  concluded  with  an  Anthem, 
in  the  greatest  good  order.  The  Clergy  retired  to  Swifts,  &  upon 
invitation,  I  went  to  E.  C.  Bobbin's,  Son  of  the  former  minister  & 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Here  we  were  elegantly 
entertained  &  above  150  persons  seated.  The  Company  was  most 
happily  selected  of  both  sexes.  From  Milton  we  returned  to  Dor- 
chester &  lodged  with  Mr.  Harris,  the  Pastor.  The  kind  reception, 
&  the  amiable  manners  of  the  family,  made  these  hours  very 
agreable.  Mr.  Harris  is  to  give  a  discourse  this  week  at  Bridge- 
water,  Angler's  parish,  at  the  consecration  of  a  Lodge.  We  dis- 
coursed on  masonry.  He  gave  me  an  account  of  Robinson,  who 
had  come  on  from  New  York  to  take  Picturesque  views  in  the 
Country,  &  of  a  M.  Schweizer  from  Zurick,  a  kin  by  his  wife  to 
Lavater.  This  gentleman  has,  from  Mrs.  Harris  account,  too  much 
of  the  Misanthrope.  He  is  upon  a  work  on  Public  &  political 
happiness,  which  he  prosecutes  with  great  application.  He  now 
takes  lodgings  in  Boston.  The  prospect  from  Mr.  Harris'  House  is 
beautiful  but  the  Society  is  not  the  most  eligible  for  a  Minister. 
The  elegant  Seats  are  occupied  by  inhabitants  who  regard  the  in- 
stitutions of  religion  with  indifference.  And  the  lower  class  are 
induced  by  no  friendship  to  conform  in  the  least  to  the  manners  of 
these  new  inhabitants.  To  renounce  any  part  of  the  antient  super- 
stitution  seems  an  accession  of  strength  to  the  new  infidelity. 

2.  In  the  morning  we  took  leave  of  this  lovely  family  &  rode  in- 
to Boston.  We  first  arrived  at  the  Revd  Freeman's  whose  polite 
attention  was  unbounded.  He  first  offered  us  a  view  of  his  own 
elegant  Chapel.  He  then  waited  upon  us  through  Hutchinson's 
Street  to  the  new  &  lofty  House  of  Mr.  Harris  which  is  erected  on 
the  south  side  of  Fort  Hill.  This  Building  is  of  five  Stories,  a 
height  unknown  in  the  town,  is  plain,  of  Brick,  &  is  not  yet  finished 
within.  The  expence  is  enormous  but  the  work  faithful.  The 
plastering  of  the  walls  exceeds  anything  yet  seen  among  us.  From 
this  House  we  passed  through  the  Tontine  Buildings  to  the  Old 
Theatre  of  which  we  were  indulged  a  view  in  private  without  inter- 
ruption. The  proprietors  have  compounded  with  the  New  Theatre 
for  part  of  the  year  &  it  will  soon  be  opened  for  the  winter  season. 


1797J  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  243 

New  paintings  are  now  going  on  &  preparations  for  the  new  Com- 
pany. We  then  mounted  over  the  Arch  of  the  Tontine  Buildings 
into  the  Library  of  the  Historical  Society.  This  is  a  Square  room 
&  is  tolerably  well  furnished  with  publications  of  the  Country, 
which  the  Members  are  determined  to  render  their  first  object  &  to 
seperate  from  all  other  donations.  The  size  of  Gazettes  &  the  an- 
tique appearance  of  many  l^ooks  do  not  give  an  elegant  appearance 
to  the  Room,  but  evince  the  industry  of  the  members  to  increase 
their  Collection,  &  future  times  must  increase  the  means  to  employ 
the  Bookbinder  on  the  loose  &  broken  Volumes.  There  are  many 
Indian  curiosities  &  some  foreign.  Not  much  of  Natural  History, 
but  a  very  good  beginning.  Mr.  Davis,  the  Librarian  of  the  Boston 
Library,  which  is  deposited  in  the  Room  below,  opened  this  Library 
to  us.  It  is  circular  upon  account  of  the  Stairs  which  pass  up  in 
the  Southern  corners,  but  it  has  places  for  convenient  closets  be- 
yond the  circle  in  the  corresponding  sides  on  the  north.  It  is  of 
greater  elevation  than  the  room  above,  but  has  not  so  much  room 
on  the  Floor.  The  Shelves  are  not  full.  A  Catalogue  has  been 
published  of  the  Books.  They  ^can  never  look  neat  because  the 
Books  being  read  by  persons  of  every  description  &  in  every  man- 
ner must  be  soon  sullied  &  injuried  &  no  covers  can  prevent  this 
inconvenience.  Continual  additions  are  making  to  this  new  Insti- 
tion  of  a  Public  To"\\ti  Library.  From  this  quarter  we  passed  to 
the  Court  House,  which  we  surveyed  in  all  its  apartments  after  we 
had  passed  through  the  beautiful  Beacon  Street.  We  took  leave 
of  Mr.  Freeman  &  then  passed  to  the  North  End.  At  the  head  of 
Hancock's  Wharf  we  saw  the  Frigate  &  received  the  kind  atten- 
tions of  Col.  Claghorn.  We  then  left  the  to\vn,  passing  the  North 
Church  in  Salem  Street  &  over  Charlestown  &  Maiden  Bridges  con- 
tinued our  route  towards  Salem. 

3.  Mr.  Harris  told  us  at  Dorchester,  that  digging  a  well  on  the 
hill  near  his  house,  80  feet  deep,  at  the  greatest  depth  he  came  to 
sand  and  stones,  exactly  resembling  the  shore,  &  to  marsh,  which 
had  the  same  eifluvia  as  on  the  shore,  tho'  a  more  perished  appear- 
ance, but  of  the  same  colour.  That  the  Well  for  a  time  became  use- 
less from  the  stench  of  the  waters,  &  at  last  they  ceased  to  pump  it 
out  or  draw  it  &  used  the  well  only  to  hang  down  meat  so  to  pre- 
serve such  things  cool.  That  by  accident  a  string  broke  &  18  lb  of 
Beef  fell  into  the  well.  Attempts  were  made  in  vain  to  recover  it. 
Soon  afterwards  a  frothy  substance  appeared  on  the  surface  of  the 
water,  which  gradually  disappeared,  &  the  water  now  is  of  as  agre- 
able  a  taste  &  as  clear  as  any  which  can  be  drunken.  I  drank  of  it 
in  his  house,  not  knowing  its  history,  with  great  pleasure. 

4.  We  are  told  that  in  an  attempt  to  raise  the  steeple  of  the 
New  Meeting  House  in  Billerica,  the  Steeple  fell,  &  was  crushed  to 
pieces,  from  a  defect  in  the  ropes.  My  most  worthy  friend  Madam 
Bethune  was  buried  last  week  at  Boston.     I  am  more  indebted  for 


244  DIARY  OP  [Nov. 

discreet  counsel  to  this  Lady  than  to  any  of  her  sex.  She  took  me 
by  the  hand,  when  entering  into  life,  gave  me  pleasure  at  her  table, 
lodgings  in  her  house,  &  welcome  to  all  my  friends.  This  was  at 
the  time  I  preached  in  Little  Cambridge. 

5.  Sunday.  Generally  as  the  winter  approaches,  the  New  lights 
open  their  lectures  in  the  evening  &  discharge  their  artillery  against 
their  neighbours,  not  so  much  because  they  hate  them,  as  because 
they  are  in  the  way.  It  becomes  necessary  then  on  our  part  to  give 
out  some  hints  that  we  are  ready,  &  this  day  the  arts  of  designing 
men  were  exposed  for  the  instruction  of  the  Congregation. 

6.  Received  at  my  house  my  old  Preceptor,  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  & 
his  Lady,  &  they  broke  bread  with  me  at  noon.  He  was  upon  his 
old  favorite  topic  in  1777,  which  he  uniformly  talks  about,  salary 
&  short  payments,  depreciation,  &  the  hard  lot  of  Salary  men. 
After  he  left  me,  upon  engagement,  I  went  to  Hooper's  Farm,  so 
called,  &  lately  occupied  by  Benajah  Collins,  late  from  Liverpool, 
Nova  Scotia.  This  gentleman  has  not  been  a  month  on  the  place 
&  received  us,  his  Brother,  Wife,  &c.  with  great  hospitality.  He 
has  four  daughters  with  him.  Deborah  was  attentive,  Triphenia 
silent,  but  sprightly,  Hepsibah  sweet,  innocent  &  chearful,  Ruth 
full  of  spii"its,  gaiety,  &  fancy.  We  dined  &c  then  visited  Mr.  Der- 
by's Farm,  &  were  received  by  the  Gardener,  Mr.  Heusler,  an  Alsace 
man,  with  the  good  sense  &  good  manners  not  always  to  be  found 
in  that  condition.  In  private  conversation  he  could  not  refrain 
from  blame  upon  John  Tracey  who  invited  him  from  Holland,  &  in 
the  perplexity  of  Bankruptcy  cast  the  poor  stranger  unpaid  upon 
the  world.  This  is  not  a  solitary  instance  of  the  evils  from  the 
rapid  changes  in  speculating  men.  We  learn  that  a  Spanish  lad 
lately  died  in  Danvers,  at  Leach's,  &  that  the  good  people  were 
scrupulous  of  giving  him  interment  in  their  Burying  Ground.  If 
this  be  true  we  do  not  make  rapid  advances  towards  humanity  or 
real  civilisation.  How  much  do  such  prejudices  depend  upon  the 
Clergy  ?  Danvers  have  conversed  upon  the  propriety  of  making 
the  minister  pay  taxes  upon  land  he  holds  in  the  Parish.  Can  a 
man  deserve  to  be  taxed  who  enlightens  them  ? 

7.  Yesterday  the  Town  had  a  meeting  on  the  subject  of  military 
duty.  A  bounty  was  voted  to  the  proportion  of  the  80,000  men  to 
be  raised  by  Government.  To  obtain  a  bounty  for  all  soldiers  in 
the  Militia  upon  Muster  days  was  also  proposed  with  great  warmth. 
The  heat  of  parties  was  however  overruled  by  the  choice  of  a  com- 
mittee to  report  in  December.  The  highest  military  officer  is  a 
good  man  &  good  soldier,  but  of  a  most  defective  education,  and  the 
exemptions  are  so  many  in  the  Town,  that  some  precipitate  persons 
would  have  consented  to  any  rash  measure. 

8.  The  Cistern  between  Derby's  &  White's  wharves  in  Derby 
Street,  below  Orange  Street,  begun.  The  sense  of  the  people  is 
generally  against  it  as  an  improper  place. 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  245 

9.  A  new  Gazette  has  been  proposed  in  this  Town  by  Mr.  Carl- 
ton. I  have  been  addressed  upon  the  subject  by  an  agent,  &c.  He 
piles  bugbears  higher  than  Atlas.  The  peace  of  the  Town,  the 
danger  of  abuse,  the  viriileuce  of  party  are  not  the  least.  How 
terrible  is  change  to  some  minds,  how  hateful  rivals.  In  Newbury 
Port  they  have  two  Gazettes  without  fear,  &  in  Philadelphia  nearly 
twenty. 

10.  Went  on  the  Neck  to  see  the  bald  rock  at  the  head  of  Cat 
Cove  &  before  the  Farm  House,  split  with  powder.  But  the  pow- 
der was  not  confined  enough  only  for  one  crack,  from  the  neglect  of 
the  rammer.  Saw  several  rocks  split  there  with  wedges.  Opened 
for  the  first  time  our  Singing  School  in  part  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson's 
House  in  Turner  Street.  A  young  band  was  present  in  the  even- 
ing. 

12.  Sunday.  Note.  John  Collins  &  Wife,  delivery,  Son  & 
Friends  at  Sea.  The  time  changed  till  half  past  ten.  But  such  in- 
dulgence does  not  increase  the  number  of  worshippers. 

13.  A  letter  from  Silas  Dinsmore,  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth,  to 
Mrs.  J.  Bowditch,  says  "  from  Lat.  35",  15'  N.,  on  the  N.  E.  side,  or 
right  side  of  the  Tennessee  opposite  old  Fort  Loudon,  I  have  been 
waiting  upon  the  Corner  running  the  Indian  boundary.  Since  my 
retiirn  from  the  line  I  have  visited  all  the  lower  Cherokee  towns,  a 
circuit  of  about  500  miles,  &  am  now  preparing  to  visit  the  upper 
Towns  in  a  mountaineous  country.  I  find  manners  deserving  imi- 
tation, &  curiosities  in  the  rugged  mountains.  The  Cherokees  are 
docile.  They  raise  good  corn,  cattle,  hogs,  &  poultry  in  abundance, 
peaches,  melons,  the  sweet  potatoe,  beans,  pease,  &  pumpkins. 
They  cultivate  but  few  portular  or  culinary  plants,  except  turneps 
&  colewort.  In  some  parts  they  raise  considerable  quantities  of 
Cotton.  This  has  been  introduced  under  my  direction,  &  by  the 
most  indefatigable  perseverance.  In  opposition  to  savage  preju- 
dices, I  have  introduced  spinning  &  weaving,  &  some  are  now  wear- 
ing cotton  cloth  of  their  own  making."  27,  7'^'^  1797.  Tellico 
Block  House,  Banks  of  the  Tenessee,  36  miles  S.  of  Knoxville. 

14.  This  day  it  was  my  service  to  open  the  Supreme  Court  with 
prayer.  In  the  conversation  I  discovered  such  virulence  of  politi- 
cal prejudices  as  exceeded  even  the  vulgarity  of  Jacobinism  or  what 
is  stigmatised  a  vile  democracy.  When  the  higher  orders  have 
such  unmanly  prejudices,  how  can  a  country  be  safe  &  well  gov- 
erned. 

15.  Saw  the  supporters  of  the  great  Rock,  head  of  Cat  Cove, 
blown.  Captain  Gibaut  has  been  the  purchaser  of  a  farm  in  Glou- 
cester, near  the  4th  Meeting  House,  with  convenient  mills,  &c.  at 
1800£. 

16.  The  Court  is  in  town.  A  Fogerty,  lately  a  schoolmaster, 
was  before  the  Court  for  opposing  the  Officer  in  his  duty.  Several 
Thieves.     Dr.  WiDiams,  an  apothecary  of  this  Town,  was  arraigned 


246  DIARY  OF  [Nov. 

at  the  bar  for  receiving  the  stolen  goods,  knowing  them  to  be  stol- 
en.    Court  House  crowded. 

17.  Yesterday  went  in  pursuit  of  one  Joseph,  who,  in  company 
with  some  other  Bakers  on  their  Carts,  endangered  the  life  of  my 
friend  Bentley  on  the  Danvers  road.  The  habits  of  selling  bread 
on  the  high  roads  has  divested  the  apprentices  of  all  decency  of 
manners.  We  found  Joseph  who  denies  that  he  was  the  faulty 
cause  so  that  we  concluded  not  to  stir  any  more  among  such  scoun- 
drels but  keep  out  of  their  way. 

19.  Sunday.  Note.  James  Carroll  &  Wife,  Her  delivery,  pr. 
Brethren  at  Sea.  The  day  more  pleasant  than  for  many  Sundays, 
but  weather  changeable.  The  proclamation  read  for  the  Thanks- 
giving of  November  30,  with  advice.  In  the  evening  the  first 
Snow  which  has  covered  the  ground. 

20.  A  Mr.  Hervey  here  from  Reading,  upon  the  subject  of  con- 
stituting a  Lodge  in  that  place.  The  design  of  this  visit  was  to 
find  the  cheapest  Lodge,  in  order  to  make  the  first  members,  who 
are  to  petition.  There  is  a  Mechanic  society  in  Reading,  which 
they  hope  to  absorb  in  their  new  Lodge,  &  they  expect  members 
from  Woburn  &  the  towns  adjacent. 

21.  This  day  we  were  assured  of  the  assistance  of  the  Musical 
Society  who  have  formed  to  promote  instrumental  music.  Music 
has  ever  been  low  in  this  place.  They  who  taught  it  knew  little  of 
composition  &  had  no  acquaintance  with  the  best  masters.  The  com- 
positions were  not  excellent  used  in  the  churches,  being  chiefly 
mangled  from  the  old  Psalmody.  Mr.  Billings,  with  more  genius 
than  Taste,  introduced  new  composition,  but  vocal  music  had  its 
greatest  progress  in  Connecticut.  A  few  years  since  a  Mr.  Kimball, 
&  Mr.  Johnson,  taught  in  Marblehead,  &  last  year  a  Mr.  Law  from 
Connecticut,  &  a  Mr.  Holyoke  of  this  country.  Law  was  calcula- 
ted for  solemn,  slow  &  soft  music,  but  it  could  not  well  succeed  to 
the  noise  to  which  we  had  been  accustomed.  Holyoke  was  more 
indulgent  to  the  common  taste,  tho'  far  above  it  in  his  genius.  Hol- 
yoke introduced  much  instrumental  music  &  from  his  instructions 
has  commenced  the  society  now  forming.  Every  effort  of  this  kind 
has  been  short,  but  this  is  more  general  than  any  other,  being  not 
formed  for  any  choir  but  for  all  the  societies  for  private  amusement. 

22.  The  talk  now  about  Mrs.  Morton's  Poem,  Beacon  Hill,  &  it 
is  said  to  exceed  any  poetic  composition  from  a  female  pen.  She  is 
called  the  American  Sappho.  Mr.  Paine  calls  her  so.  Besides,  Mr. 
Stearns  is  soon  to  publish  The  Lady's  Philosophy  of  Love,  which 
they  have  begun  to  praise  before  they  have  seen  it.  These  poems 
are  reduced  to  no  class.  The  American  genius  refuses  restraint. 
Posterity  will  wonder  at  the  present  age  when  they  find  what  we 
admire.     We  had  our  Singing  Band  this  evening  at  S.  Archer's. 

23.  Capt.  T.  Welman  has  arrived  from  Petersburg.  He  says 
that  the  Prussian  Colours  are  flying  at  Memel  &   the  Russian  at 


1797]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,   D.    D.  247 

Libau,  &  that  iiiauy  were  excited  by  the  curiosity  of  the  first  dis- 
play of  the  15  stripes  of  America.  Have  none  of  our  Vessels  vis- 
ited these  ports  since  the  Revolution? 

24.  The  furious  manner  in  which  Commerce  has  been  driven  in 
this  country  upon  every  change  of  affairs,  is  attended  with  most 
serious  evils  to  the  honest.  Mr.  Lane  had  a  legacy,  the  interest  of 
which  he  ought  to  have  at  200  d.  annually.  He  has  drawn  for  1500 
dollars.  The  Merchant  sends  it  to  his  friend.  He  receives  700. 
The  rest  is  delayed.  Will  you  take  in  goods.  Goods  advanced 
30  pr.  cent,  above  the  market.  He  must  then  write  again  to  Eng- 
land. The  Legacy  has  been  due  twenty  years  &  is  reduced  to  this 
sum. 

25.  This  day  celebrated,  by  the  Flags  flying  in  honour  of  St. 
Catharine,  by  the  rope  makers.  Saw  Pierce  blow  another  slice  of 
the  great  rock  at  the  head  of  Cat  Cove.  The  Children  in  whole 
flocks  upon  their  Skates,  &  the  ice  bending  under  them  in  the  little 
ponds  upon  the  Common  &  Neck. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  Tabitha  Grooves,  delivery,  Husband  & 
Brother  at  Sea. 

27.  Last  Friday,  a  Sam.  Car  win  Ward  was  distrained  upon  by 
his  Creditors  &  was  obliged  to  shut  his  doors.  Such  events  so  sel- 
dom happen  in  Salem  that  they  are  attended  with  great  alarm  & 
form  the  whole  conversation.  This  Ward  has  been  much  abroad 
from  his  family,  often  at  the  public  Taverns,  &  very  negligent  of 
his  affairs.  Is  young,  but  in  a  very  embarassed  situation.  The 
weight  of  his  debts  falls  upon  his  young  companions  &  the  manner 
in  which  they  were  contracted  does  not  appear. 

28.  A  Mr.  Samuel  Ward  published  Mr.  Ebenezer  Beckford  for  a 
base  detention  of  papers  to  his  own  benefit,  with  a  little  honour  less 
valued  thanpropeHy.  It  seems  these  papers  were  lent  several  years 
since  to  Wm.  Gray  junr,  &  by  him  intrusted  to  this  Beckford,  who 
detains  them  but  promises  to  excuse  himself.  The  sense  of  the 
Town  is  at  present  against  said  Beckford.  Such  are  the  mean  tricks 
of  some  men  who  have  amassed  vrealth. 

29.  A  Bison  in  Town.  It  is  larger  than  any  I  have  seen  but  I 
did  not  measure.  The  Keeper  tells  that  he  came /rom /ar,  but  he 
had  not  his  bill  of  sale  with  him.  A  Chimney  alarmed  us  in  our 
neighbourhood,  &  we  fovind  the  Common  Engine  frozen  &  were 
obliged  to  bring  the  Derby  Street  Engine.  The  Bison  is  described 
in  the  Advertisement,  as  "  having  her  head  covered  with  long  frizled 
hairs  with  a  pair  of  horns  &  a  long  beard.  She  measures  five  feet 
high  &  girts  nine."  But  her  girt  must  be  over  the  trimk  &  near 
the  fore  legs  for  behind  she  is  not  larger  than  a  common  mule. 

30.  The  Day  of  public  Thanksgiving,  clear,  cold,  &  very  windy. 
We  had  for  the  first  time  a  band  of  instruments  in  our  Choir.  The 
members  were  from  different  parts  of  the  Town  &  were  kind  enough 
to  give  us  the  first  exhibition  they  have  ever  made  in  public  &  the 


248  DiAKY  OF  [Dec. 

first  of  the  kind  ever  on  a  public  religious  solemnity  in  the  Town. 
The  scandalous  indifference  to  vocal  music  has  obliged  us  to  have 
recourse  to  such  expedients  or  our  Church  music  must  have  been 
lost.  In  all  our  societies  the  Bass  viol  has  been  used,  having  been 
introduced  about  two  years  since.  A  Violin  &  Clarionet  followed 
in  our  worship.  The  number  of  these,  with  the  Tenour  viol,  formed 
our  Band  on  this  solemnity.  The  order  of  service  was.  An  air — 
Hymn  73,  the  instruments  going  over  the  tune,  before  the  vocal 
music  joined — Introductory  prayer — An  air — Lesson — Hymn  4 — 
Prayer — 32  Psalm — Sermon — Collection  for  the  Poor,  an  air,  with 
a  chorus — Prayer — 42  Hymn — Blessing — Concluding  air. 

December  1.  [1797]  This  evening  the  Contribution  was  dis- 
tributed. It  amounted,  including  Mr.  Derby's  donation  of  30  dol- 
lars, to  a  sum  upwards  of  155  dollars  &  is  the  largest  which  we 
have  as  yet  received.  Last  evening  Capt.  B.  Hodges  lost  his  second 
son  John,  a  promising  youth.  He  had  always  a  weakness  of  the 
Lungs,  &  died  in  a  Consumption.  I  waited  upon  the  several  School- 
masters to  engage  their  attendance  &  the  procession  of  Boys  on  this 
occasion. 

2.  Capt.  B.  Hodges'  Son  John  was  buried  this  afternoon.  The 
children  of  the  Schools  preceeded  the  Bier  &  the  Masters  of  the 
Schools  attended  them.  Above  60  couples  were  in  the  procession. 
They  opened  at  the  gate  &  the  relatives  &  friends  passed  through. 
They  were  then  dismissed.  Judge  Dana  when  in  town,  speaking  of 
the  Poor  said  that  the  poor's  Tax  of  Cambridge  exceeded  600£, 
which  is  high  in  this  county.  And  that  it  had  increased  since  the 
Students  were  discharged  from  the  duties  of  freshmen.  So  many 
obtain  a  precarious  &  mean  support  from  a  lounging  life  as  waiters 
upon  the  Students,  that  by  their  intemperance  &  low  vices  they  soon 
become  miserable  &  a  burden  upon  the  public. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  B.  Hodges  &  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of  son 
John,  pr.  Br.  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Murray,  sudden  d.  of  a  Son,  drowned 
at  Sea,  pr.  for  another  Son  at  Sea.  This  Murray  fell  over  from  the 
Vessel  commanded  by  Capt.  Daniel  Ropes  on  the  day  after  they  left 
this  port. 

4.  Capt.  John  Collins  told  me  that  his  Father  37  years  ago  in 
the  spring  of  1759  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  which  arrived  from 
Chatham,  Cape  Cod,  at  Liverpool,  in  Nova  Scotia,  which  has  become 
one  of  their  first  settlements.  Yesterday  our  Singers  paid  the 
debt  of  Thanksgiving  by  going  up  to  the  old  Church  to  sing  in  the 
afternoon.  The  friends  of  the  University  of  Cambridge  declare 
that  the  University  was  never  more  reput  able  in  its  Professors  & 
government,  more  quiet  in  regard  to  the  students,  who  for  several 
years  have  incurred  no  heavy  penalties,  &  who  are  distinguished  not 
merely  by  the  love  of  order,  but  by  their  attention  to  the  instruc- 
tions &  Lectures  with  which  the  university  abounds.  The  attacks 
will  not  in  the  end  impair  the  reputation  of  that  antient  Seminary. 


1797]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,    D.    D.  249 

5.  Ward  has  answered  Beckford  gravely  &  yet  so  as  to  convict 
him  of  intentions  of  defrauding  him  of  papers  from  which  he  evi- 
dently can  derive  no  advantages.  lie  evidently  had  the  papers  in 
trust.  These  squabbles  evidently  contribute  to  animosities  in  a 
town,  but  they  discover  much  of  the  temper.  And  it  is  too  much 
the  opinion  that  a  poor  man  ought  to  cede  even  his  rights  to  a  rich 
man. 

6.  Two  funerals,  one  of  an  aged  Lady  past  90  &  the  other  of  a 
poor  Marblehead  beggar  quite  suddenly.  His  honesty  &  his  infirm- 
ities have  plead  for  a  welcome  to  the  homes  of  the  Town  &  he  was 
richer  at  death  than  many  who  entertained  him  as  to  his  purse  & 
cloathing.  Also,  Mr.  Jacob  Norman  was  drowned  on  his  passage 
from  Boston.  This  man  was  a  Swede,  of  very  sober  manners,  & 
great  industry.  He  owned  part  of  the  Sloop  from  which  he  was 
lost. 

7.  Mrs.  Bowditch  died,  a  Gardner  &  D.  in  law,  aet.  64,  of  Esqr. 
Bowditeh.  She  has  left  a  Son,  who  suffers  from  the  disappoint- 
ment in  the  loss  of  the  Esqr's  estate.  Supped  this  evening  with 
Col.  Pickman,  &c.  at  Capt.  John  Becket's. 

8.  Mr.  Winthop  assures  me  that  Hill  would  come  &  assist  me 
but  being  of  the  New  Jerusalem  Church  I  must  expect  the  three  in 
one,  &  some  of  his  peculiarities. 

9.  Two  arrivals  this  day.  12  vessels  from  the  Indies  are  ex- 
pected this  season.  The  French  in  the  West  Indies  do  not  inter- 
rupt the  neutral  trade  from  all  British  ports,  but  such  only  as  are 
taken  from  the  French  &  in  British  possession.  Frequent  alarms 
of  Mad  dogs.  The  public  have  run  mad  on  the  subject.  Reports 
are  handed  about  that  children  &  everything  else  have  been  bitten 
by  them.  And  even  the  Gazette  tells  of  a  horse  bitten  by  a  dog, 
who  ran  up  stairs  after  a  woman.  Witchcraft  will  come  again,  I 
fear. 

10.  Sunday.  Master  Bigelow  came  down  &  preached  for  me  in 
the  afternoon.  Notes.  Margaret  Young,  d.  of  her  Sister  Renough, 
Martha  Townsend,  m.  in  law  Renough  in  her  house.  Mirah  Re- 
nough, d.  of  his  g.  mother.     He  the  only  remain^  descendant. 

13.  I  saw  the  Coopers  packing  the  Herring  from  Squam.  These 
are  not  so  broad  as  our  Alewives  &  have  not  the  bones  of  the  belly 
80  hard,  but  they  are  not  so  well  distinguished  as  is  to  be  wished. 
These  are  the  Herring  of  the  Atlantic,  while  the  Alewives  are  the 
Herring  of  our  rivers,  &  tho'  they  resemble  them  much  are  not  the 
same  fish,  or  of  so  good  quality. 

14.  At  our  Fire  Club  supper,  Mr.  Appleton,  a  member,  was  rec- 
ollected. By  confidence  in  a  Brother  in  Law  &  by  indorsing,  he 
is  ruined  in  his  temporal  affairs,  &  remains  shut  up  in  his  House. 
It  was  proposed  that  a  Billet  should  be  written  to  him,  &  an  hand- 
some supper  sent  from  the  Table  as  a  testimony  of  our  kind  re- 
membrance &  generous  good  wishes. 


250  DIARY  OF  [Dec. 

15.  Called  up  by  the  Town  watch  at  night.  In  the  part  of  the 
house  occupied  by  the  Son  of  my  Landlady,  the  log  on  the  hearth 
had  taken  fire  &  was  in  flames.  No  damage  done.  I  entertained 
the  guards  with  brandy,  gin,  some  cold  pork  roasted,  &  pies,  & 
upon  the  whole  they  were  satisfied  in  having  done  their  duty.  The 
singing  School  in  the  evening  was  thin  &  rather  inclined  to  be  dis- 
orderly. Such  companies  sometimes  have  members  from  the  dregs 
of  mankind.  It  is  a  sad  necessity  to  attend  upon  them.  And  the 
disgust  is  increasing  so  that  our  Churches  will  soon  renounce  the 
ideas  of  vocal  music  from  voluntary  companies.  While  our  ances- 
tors sung  from  devotion,  better  acquainted  with  the  heart  than 
rules  of  music,  they  preserved  a  consent  in  this  part  of  service. 
But  what  is  a  Choir,  without  decency  of  manners,  without  any  con- 
ceptions of  religion,  &  without  notice,  when  out  of  the  music  gal- 
lery, better  than  organ.  Certainly  no  religious  motive  can  be  plead 
for  the  maintainance  of  such  an  insult  to  every  thing  sacred.  There 
is  no  part  of  a  house  of  worship  in  which  less  decency  is  observed 
&  it  is  true  when  the  manners  of  a  congregation  begin  to  be  disor- 
derly they  begin  here.  Price  &  Kippis  would  shut  their  mouths, 
when  they  should  behold  our  zeal  so  ill  rewarded. 

17.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Norman  &  Children,  d.  of  her  Hus- 
band, drowned.  Eliz  :  Archer  &  Children,  d.  of  her  Son  in  Law 
Norman.  James  Archer  &  Wife,  d.  of  Br.  in  Law  Norman,  who 
died  from  his  vessel,  drowned,  pr.  for  Brother  at  Sea.  Mary  Berry, 
her  delivery,  pr.  husb,  at  Sea.  Mary  Andrew  &  her  children,  d.  of 
her  Sister  Bowditch. 

18.  A  Capt.  Pitman  of  this  Town  ran,  last  Saturday  night, 
upon  Milk  Island  Bar,  but  the  Vessel  &  Cargo  will  probably  be 
saved,  as  she  is  not  damaged. 

19.  Yesterday  a  Ship,  Capt.  Mason,  sailed  for  the  East  Indies  & 
probably  Manilla,  &  a  Schooner  for  Bordeaux.  In  the  harbour 
several  vessels  are  fitting  for  Sea  from  the  present  milder  measures 
of  the  French. 

20.  This  morning  the  cry  of  fire.  A  fire  caught  in  the  Schooner 
Lively  at  the  Long  wharf,  eastern  side.  It  was  discovered  in  sea- 
son to  save  the  Vessel  after  ruining  the  Cabin,  &c.  It  caught  un- 
der the  hearth  of  a  brick  Chimney  &  burnt  the  floor,  ceiling,  &c. 
Night  before  last  an  accident  of  a  similar  nature  happened  from 
the  chimney  of  a  Vessel  at  Derby's  wharf.  It  was  extinguished  at 
eleven  o'clock  before  much  damage  was  done. 

22.  Severe  weather  on  the  coast.  Several  vessels  have  gone 
out  after  the  Grand  Turk,  a  very  rich  ship  from  Canton,  which 
has  long  been  suffering  upon  this  coast  &  has  been  on  the  western 
coasts  of  America.     Our  harbour  is  frozen  over  as  far  as  the  Fort. 

23.  Saw  the  numbers  of  the  second  Volume  of  the  Theological 
Magazine  printed  at  New  York.  The  editor  complains  that  he  has 
been  censured  for  the  latitude  of  his  works,  but  no  public  commu- 


1797]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.   D.  251 

nications  ever  had  less.  The  writers  commend  Watson  on  all 
points,  but  where  he  is  silent,  &  there  they  suspect  him.  Clarke 
has  furnished  a  long  quotation.  Smith  of  Princeton  furnished  a 
perfect  rant  against  anti  trinitarians  &  anti  atonement  believers. 
There  was  a  life,  scanty  indeed,  of  the  old  Apostle  Eliot,  &  a  life 
of  my  friend  Elisha  Parmele  settled  at  Lee.  They  gave  him  full 
credit  for  his  Walton's  Polyglot  but  they  publish  all  the  infirmities 
of  a  decayed  constitution  as  the  picture  of  the  man.  To  the  Uni- 
versalists  they  shew  no  mercy.  They  are  condemned,  silenced  and 
damned  at  once.  There  is  a  little  specimen  of  freedom  with  the 
Masons  in  the  address  of  one  Backus  to  the  Lodge  at  Litchfield. 
He  tells  them  that  he  knows  nothing  of  their  secrets,  he  loves  their 
benevolence,  &  trusts  that  they  will  never  be  judged  as  political 
clubs,  or  stigmatized  as  Bacehinalians. 

24.  Sunday.  Note.  Joshua  Dodge,  d.  of  his  Sister  in  Law 
Dodge,  &  pr.  for  his  mother  very  sick.  It  was  a  clear  day,  &  a  thin 
house.  The  character  of  John  was  considered  &  in  the  evening 
the  subject  of  the  nativity  with  great  freedom.  I  cannot  persuade 
myself  to  believe  the  common  history.  In  the  evening  Lydia  Phip- 
pen,  alias  Yalpy  was  buried.  She  belonged  to  Eng.  Church  &  from 
the  business  of  Christmas  fell  into  my  hands. 

28.  This  day  was  our  celebration  of  St.  John  in  great  harmony. 
In  the  discourse  I  noticed  from  my  memory,  that  not  only  the 
Mass.  &  N.  H.  Grand  Lodges  had  united  at  Amherst,  but  lately  the 
Mass.  &  Rhode  island  Grand  Lodges  at  Bridgewater,  &  G.  M.  Bowen, 
Chancellour  of  the  College,  State  Governour  of  that  State,  was  G. 
Master.  Brother  Harris  preached,  &  Brother  Orr  addressed  the 
Lodges  at  Bridgewater.  Our  Dinner  was  fifty  dollars  &  the  con- 
tribution exceeded  fifteen.  Our  whole  number  was  about  twenty. 
A  Eefreshment  was  sent  from  the  table  to  Brother  Col.  Samuel 
Carleton,  paralytic  &  disabled,  with  a  note  expressive  of  esteem,  & 
affection. 

29.  This  Morning  I  rose  &  found  the  mice  had  been  at  my  nuts 
in  the  Library  Closet.  They  eat  some,  spoilt  others,  &  made  gam- 
bols of  the  rest,  exactly  like  the  French  army  in  Germany.  It  took 
me  all  day  to  fortify  against  their  inroads,  after  they  left  the  ground. 
The  Germans  were  never  more  busy  at  jVIentz,  or  on  the  Danube  or 
Ehine.  And  the  return  of  the  French  was  never  more  dreaded.  I 
called  a  carpenter  &  before  night  we  fortified  our  fortications  & 
batten  upon  batten  gave  notice  to  the  enemy  that  they  had  strong 
works  to  force  in  every  direction. 

31.  Sunday.  Notes.  Lydia  Valpy  &  g.  children,  d.  of  her  daugh- 
ter Phippen.  Elizabeth  Valpy,  d.  of  her  Sister  Phippen.  Widow 
Mercy  Masury,  sick,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea. 

January  1, 1798.  Mr.  Bigelow  furnished  the  poetry  for  the  Post 
Boy.*    He  runs  round  the  world  &  makes  our  apple  the  biggest.    A 

•Tbe  annaal  Carriers'  Address. 


252  DIARY  OP  [Jan^ 

Mr.  Caleb  Dodge  drowned  himself  this  day  in  a  Distill  House  which 
he  kept  at  Beverly.  He  has  long  been  irregular  &  intemperate.  He 
was  heard  to  complain  that  2000  gallons  were  wanting  in  his  ac- 
counts. He  fastened  the  door  &  put  his  foot  into  an  iron  pot  & 
lashed  the  handle  over  his  thigh  &  tumbled  into  a  cistern  of  fer- 
menting molasses.  He  was  beyond  recovery.  Great  exertions  were 
made  to  have  a  verdict,  insane,  &  they  succeeded. 

2.  The  ice  begins  to  break  in  our  Harbour  &  around  Beverly 
wharves. 

3.  Walked  to  Beverly  to  dine  with  Mr.  Dane  &  a  select  company 
of  friends.  The  Conversation  was  free,  but  as  some  of  the  Clergy 
were  there,  I  thought  it  might  appear  full  as  free  as  it  was  in  a 
second  edition.  As  we  returned  upon  the  Bridge,  for  the  first  time 
the  Lights  at  the  Light  House  on  Baker's  Island  were  lighted.  I 
spent  part  of  an  evening  with  Mr.  Steward  who  has  lately  come  into 
our  neighbourhood  from  Lisbon,  &  married  a  Wife  in  that  place. 
He  is  related  to  a  Wife  of  John  Collins. 

7.  Sunday.  Elizabeth  King,  d.  of  her  Mother  in  Law  King,  pr. 
for  Husband  &  Brother  at  Sea.  Widow  Sarah  King,  d.  of  her 
Mother  in  Law  King,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Andrew  Ward  & 
Wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea. 

8.  The  Tabernacle  is  upon  the  plan  of  converting  negroes  to  the 
faith.  And  they  who  can  neither  read  nor  write  are  not  left  in  the 
Cant  of  the  Gentiles  but  conducted  in  by  a  full  confession  into  the 
Holy  of  Holies.  If  the  old  institution  of  Catechumens  was  re- 
vived it  might  help  in  such  cases. 

9.  The  Ship*  from  Canton  so  long  in  our  bay,  which  reached  Port- 
land at  last,  has  been  carried  by  the  ice  upon  the  shore,  &  has  bilged. 

10.  Dined  with  Dr.  Holyoke.  Col.  P.  insisted  upon  the  tradi- 
tion that  the  present  first  Church  have  their  third  Meeting  House. 
Mr.  Fiske  might  lead  to  this  mistake,  when  he  says  "  this  is  the 
Third  House  erected  for  the  public  worship  of  God,  on  the  same 
spot  of  Land  on  which  the  first  Church  was  built  in  this  Town  & 
which  was  t\ie  first  in  the  province."  So  much  is  conceded  that 
this  was  the  third  house  upon  the  same  spot  &  that  the  Church  is 
the  first  in  the  province  but  not  that  they  had  only  three  houses  of 
worship.     For  the  Town  Records  say  : 

1634.  A  Meeting  House  built  in  Salem.  Mr.  Norton  to  have 
]00£  for  it. 

1671.  The  Town  voted  a  new  Meeting  House  to  stand  in  the 
place  of  the  old  one  to  be  60  ft.  in  length  &  60  in  width,  not  to  cost 
above  1000£. 

1718.     A  Meeting  House  built,  the  same  now  standing. 

Now  had  they  no  house  till  1634,  for  five  years  in  the  most  flour- 
ishing Town,  when  all  the  other  churches  had  Houses  of  Assembly, 
when  provision  was  made  in  England  for  them  ? 

•The  Grand  Turk. 


1798]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  253 

1629.  Oct.  15.  At  a  general  Com-t  of  the  Massachusetts  Com- 
pany in  London,  Agreed,  that  the  Charge  of  jNIinisters,  &  of  building 
convenient  Churches  be  borne,  half  by  the  joint  stock  for  7  years  & 
half  by  the  planters. 

Before  1634,  Salem  had  had  two  Ministers,  &  there  were  Houses 
for  public  worship  elsewhere  as  at  Boston,  Charlestown,  &c.  The 
marks  under  the  words  ,/7r«?  shew  that  the  building  belonged  to  the 
jirst  Ch.  in  the  Town  &,  the  jirst  in  the  province  &  not  that  the  first 
building  ever  erected  was  upon  that  spot.  The  Col.  was  insolent 
upon  being  contradicted. 

12.  This  evening  the  Town  was  deprived  of  the  amiable  Wife 
of  John  Derby.  She  was  Sarah  Barton.  To  an  excellent  temper 
she  united  a  most  charitable  disposition  &  a  very  pleasing  share  of 
useful  information.  In  her  person  she  was  small,  but  well  propor- 
tioned. Her  eyes  bright,  but  countenance  pale.  Her  features  ex- 
pressive of  sympathy.  She  endeared  herself  to  her  Husband,  rela- 
tives, friends,  &  to  the  world,  &  she  is  a  woman  whom  all  lament. 
She  has  left  three  children  &  dies  young. 

13.  Yesterday  the  Legislature  met  for  the  first  time  in  the  new 
State  House  &  Gov.  Sumner  then  made  a  speech  to  both  Houses. 
The  House  is  indeed  superior  to  anything  we  have  seen  in  these 
parts  of  the  Country,  further  I  cannot  carry  the  comparison. 

14.  Sunday.  Note.  Richard  Valpy  &  Wife,  d.  of  their  daughter, 
pr.  for  friends  at  Sea. 

15.  The  weather  unusually  mild.  Sent  to  Boston  for  peas. 
None  of  any  quality  in  this  market.  The  Bugs  have  distroyed  them 
in  the  Towns  from  which  we  are  usually  supplied. 

16.  The  Tomb  of  Derby  was  opened  this  day  &  as  the  Father, 
Richard,  before  his  death  had  a  Locust  tree  growing  before  his  door, 
cut  down  to  make  a  Coffin,  from  an  opinion  of  its  great  duration, 
I  went  down  to  examine  it.  The  oak  bottom  was  soft.  The  Locust 
sides  were  firmest.  The  top  covered  with  mould  had  the  internal  tex- 
ture visible,  but  the  fibers  easily  broke.  In  fourteen  years  then 
from  the  excessive  dampness ,  all  was  in  a  state  of  perishing. 

17.  Mr.  Edw.  Norris  shew^ed  me  a  Ring  belonging  to  the  first 
Edward  Norris  &  now  held  by  the  sixth  for  the  seventh,  a  minor.  It 
is  of  gold,  enameled  with  a  death's  Head,  with  a  posy  LIVE  TO  DIE. 
Mr.  Andrew  Greenwood  &  Doctor  Little  dined  with  me.  Mr.  G.  was 
of  Boston  &  has  been  at  Charlestown  in  the  practice  of  Law  &  has 
returned  for  his  health,  intending  to  stay  in  this  quarter. 

20.  Went  in  the  Stage  for  Milton  having  agreed  with  Mr.  Mac 
Kean  upon  an  exchange.  When  I  reached  Boston,  I  found  the  Mil- 
ton Stage  from  Boston  full,  &  at  length  I  obtained  a  seat  in  the 
Stage  to  Canton,  a  Town  lately  formed  from  Stoughton,  as  is  also 
Sharon.  This  Stage  runs  the  Brush  Hill  road  after  passing  the 
River  at  the  upper  Mills  in  Milton.  Mr.  Fisher,  the  Stage  man,  was 
very  kind.     By  alighting  at  Brush  hill,  I  had  to  pass  only  half  a  mile 


254  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

down  the  Hill  to  a  near  relation's  House,  at  which  I  wished  to  put  up. 
These  are  the  kindred  of  my  G.  Mother  Paine  who  had  the  whole 
charge  of  my  education  &  thereby  brought  her  own  immediate  kin- 
dred nearer  to  me.  Aunt  Tucker,  so  called,  was  Catharine  Williams 
of  Roxbury.  She  married  John  Ruggles,  the  only  Brother  of  my 
G.  Mother,  &  upon  his  decease,  William  Tucker  of  Milton,  Deacon 
of  that  Church,  long  since  deceased.  She  has  only  one  Son  living 
of  all  her  Children.  John  Kuggles  married  a  Wadsworth  of  Milton,. 
&  sister  of  the  Revd.  Benjamin  Wadsworth  of  Danvers,  &  is  now  a 
Widower,  &  lives  with  his  mother,  being  Town  Clerk,  &c.  of  Milton. 
He  has  one  Son,  John  Ruggles,  who  lives  with  his  father  &  g.  mother 
«&  is  at  Man's  estate  &  holds  the  Farm  by  his  Mother.  There  is  a 
gi'and  daughter  who  also  lives  with  them,  descended  from  a  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  John  Ruggles,  Madam  Tucker's  first  husband.  She  is 
now  80  years  of  age.  Comely,  in  good  health  &  spirits.  Retains 
her  voice  &  sprightly  conversation.  Complains  only  of  her  hearing, 
which  is  yet  sufficient  for  colloquial  discourse.  Revd.  Wadsworth's 
Mother  was  Deacon  Tucker's  Sister.  Aunt  Tucker  has  a  Sister 
living  with  a  few  miles  of  her  House  in  Dorchester,  who  has  passed 
91,  named  Robinson,  &  a  Brother  in  Pomfret,  Connecticut,  who  was 
aged  94  in  October  last.  They  remain  in  the  Deacon's  old  Mansion 
house,  but  have  very  affable  manners.  The  Son  plays  well  on  a  Bass 
Viol,  &  the  g.  daughter  sings  well,  while  the  Father  retains  a  sweet 
voice,  even  after  fifty,  &  performs  in  the  Meeting  House.  They  had 
made  the  largest  collection  of  Music  I  had  ever  seen  in  private  hands  ; 
entirely  church  music  &  all  American  publications.  It  is  to  be  re- 
gretted that  America  has  produced  so  few  good  writers  of  Music, 
when  there  is  so  ready  sale  for  all  works  which  pretend  to  the  name. 
The  love  to  sing  &  the  readiness  to  continue  without  disgust  or  apol- 
ogy, speaks  in  favour  of  the  best  music  of  the  heart. 

21.  Sunday.  In  the  morning  we  walked  from  Uncle  Ruggles^ 
to  Mr.  W.  Shaw's,  who  lives  upon  the  farm  &  in  the  Mansion  House 
of  the  late  Revd.  Mr.  Robbins  of  Milton.  Here  we  tarried  till  the 
time  of  service  &  after  the  morning  service  came  back  &  dined  very 
hospitably  in  company  with  a  Mr.  Jackson  of  Boston.  After  the 
evening  service  we  returned  to  Tea  &  the  Ladies  possessed  all  that 
ease  and  love  of  conversation  which  most  engages  our  attention  & 
our  fondness  for  their  company.  After  Tea  we  rode  to  Mr.  Swifts, 
at  whose  house  the  Minister  now  lives,  &  there  we  supped  &  had 
every  attention  we  could  desire.  After  supper  I  returned  to  Mr. 
Shaw's.  The  Meeting  House  is  new,  neat,  &  well  proportioned. 
The  Bell  of  the  old  House  is  in  the  Steeple,  but  it  is  too  small.  The 
gallery  projects  in  front,  but  a  gentle  swell  would  have  been  more 
pleasing  to  the  eye.  The  canopy  is  pendant,  the  pews  long,  &  the 
Gallery  in  the  usual  fashion.  The  audience  was  not  full,  but  atten- 
tive. The  fault  of  coming  in  at  the  beginning  of  service  is  repre- 
hensible. 


1798]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  255 

22.  Mr.  Swan  conveyed  me  to  Boston,  &  I  alighted  at  Brother 
Freeman's.  Here  I  saw  Mr.  W.  Jenks,  whose  attention  to  study 
has  occasioned  some  derangement,  the  evils  of  which  he  may  prob- 
ably feel  forever  in  some  degree.  In  the  afternoon  I  visited  at  Dr.  , 
Lathrop's,  the  Boston  Association  of  Ministers,  for  the  first  time,  & 
the  usual  prayers  were  required  of  me  upon  admission.  I  was  a 
stranger  to  this  Custom.  We  had  the  ingenious  Historian,  Dr.  Bel- 
nap,  the  lovely  Heretic,  Dr.  Howard,  the  pious  Dr.  Eckley,  the  ele- 
gant Dr.  Clarke,  the  good  Dr.  Lathrop,  the  Geographer  Dr.  Morse, 
with  the  judicious  Eliot,  &  the  cautious  West.  After  tea  we  had  some 
agreable  conversation  &  the  young  Ladies  of  the  family  entertained 
us  with  vocal  music  as  an  accompanyment  of  the  Forte  Piano,  upon 
which  one  of  the  Daughters  performed  very  excellently.  The 
amiable  Mother  assisted  them  with  her  voice. 

23.  Mr.  Eliot  accompanied  me  to  the  Library  from  which  I  [had] 
an  opportunity  of  gaining  knowledge  of  several  facts  adapted  to  my 
intended  History  of  Salem.  He  funrished  me  also  with  a  Mss.  upon 
Witchcraft  which  is  to  be  published  in  the  Collections.  We  wait- 
ed upon  Dr.  Belnap,  who  has  suffered  from  a  paralytic  stroke,  who 
fiunished  the  Mss.  of  W.  Hubbard's  History  of  our  Country.  The 
Dr.  was  attentive  &  kind.  In  the  afternoon  I  examined  Books  & 
papers  at  Mr.  Eliot's  &  spent  with  him  the  evening  at  our  writing 
Master's  Mr.  Tiliston,  whose  long  &  faithful  services  merit  the  pub- 
lic gratitude  &  the  everlasting  remembrance  of  his  Scholars. 

24.  Visited  my  old  Uncle  Ridgway,  deacon  of  the  North  Brick 
Church,  who  has  reached  70  years  &  evidently  declines.  A  worthy 
man.  Called  upon  the  family  of  Isaac  White  &  then  renewed  my 
visits  to  that  best  of  men,  Mr.  Freeman.  His  candour  entitles  him 
to  every  notice.  I  then  waited  on  Mr.  Dunlap,  who  proferred  me  a 
suit  of  Cloathes.  After  dinner  I  returned  in  the  Stage  from  Bos- 
ton, having  carelessly  left  my  Bundles  &  Papers  behind  in  the  care 
of  the  Bar  keeper  in  the  Stage  House  where  the  Stage  man  left 
them  forgotten.  We  reached  Salem  at  after  sundown  &  this  even- 
ing was  appointed  to  receive  the  little  band  of  Music  which  so  kind- 
ly entertained  us  on  the  last  Thanksgiving  day.  We  had  2  Bass 
Viols,  3  german  flutes  &  6  Violins,  &  passed  the  evening  happily. 
The  Company  left  us  at  9  o'clock.  The  people  were  very  much 
pleased  with  Mr.  MacKean.  No  language  is  strong  enough  to  con- 
vey the  sense  of  their  gratification,  &  of  their  expectations  from 
him.  The  notes  on  Sunday  were  Mehitable  Valpy,  delivery,  Hus- 
band &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Rebecca  Millet,  d.  of  her  Mother,  pr.  for 
husb.  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 

30.  Went  to  Boston  to  attend  upon  James  Steward  in  order  to 
obtain  for  him  naturalisation.  We  first  called  upon  Judge  Win- 
throp  who  gave  us  the  opinion  which  Mr.  Dexter  had  advanced  in 
their  Court.  His  own  opinion  was  rather  of  friendship  than  of 
Law.     At  Judge  Dana's  we  were  received  with  more  reserve.     He 


^56  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

would  decide  nothing  nor  give  us  leave  to  decide  upon  his  indi- 
cision.  He  doubted  the  Legislative  power  of  the  State,  but  con- 
vinced us,  &  yet  did  not  advise  us  not  to  apply.  Upon  the  whole 
he  discouraged  us.  At  Boston,  among  the  Members  of  the  House 
&  Senate,  there  was  a  strange  uncertainty  till  they  had  consulted 
the  Speaker,  &c.,  &c.,  who  decided  that  the  Legislature  had  nothing 
to  do  in  the  business.  The  Secretary  was  as  clear,  &  who  was  not 
who  had  read  the  Law.  But  do  they  always  mind  their  own  Busi- 
ness. We  then  had  Fisher  Ames'  opinion  in  Davis'  Office,  who  is 
the  Attorney  for  the  District  Court,  &  we  found  at  last  that  James 
Stewart,  not  born  in  this  State,  is  a  foreigner  &  must  leave  his 
name  on  record  to  have  claims  after  the  usual  residence.  And  thus 
our  Business  ended. 

31.  This  day  we  returned.  In  our  absence  a  fire  broke  out  in 
the  Grammar  School  in  Salem.  Its  origin  is  unknown  as  it  did 
not  arise  from  the  Stoves  or  the  Chimney.  It  being  lecture  day 
the  fire  was  discovered  after  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  Social 
Library  has  suffered  most  as  some  of  the  books  are  materially  dam- 
aged. 

February  1.  [1798]  The  Library  suffered  yesterday  very  much. 
It  was  the  best  private  library  in  the  State  but  the  Books  injuried 
by  the  fire  are  in  such  deplorable  condition  that  it  must  injure  the 
Library  to  attempt  to  preserve  them.  I  am  not  sufficiently  con- 
vinced that  the  fire  was  not  a  wanton  act  of  the  boys  from  some 
disgust  at  the  discipline  of  the  day,  for  the  fire  had  no  communi- 
cation with  the  chimney,  or  stoves,  but  began  under  the  partition 
&  burnt  into  the  Library,  &  the  School  had  not  been  left  one  hour 
before  the  fire  was  discovered. 

2.  We  have  discovered  the  cause  of  the  fire.  It  was  occasioned 
by  a  mischievous  boy  who  put  fire  into  a  hole  near  the  partition. 
A  wanton  Boy  this,  &  not  like  the  Boy  yet  confined  in  the  charity 
house,  who  put  fire  to  several  buildings  which  were  consumed,  & 
who  is  evidently  impaired  in  understanding. 

2.  Last  evening  the  Federal  Theatre  in  Boston  was  burnt 
Nothing  was  saved.  Various  causes  are  assigned.  Some  say  the 
exhibitions  of  Fire  preparing,  others  say,  the  usual  fires  in  the 
Rooms  occasioned  this  event.  The  general  opinion  has  been  long 
against  these  amusements  &  it  is  openly  proposed  that  the  New 
Market  Theatre  should  be  distroyed.  The  Public  have  suffered 
from  the  indulgence  of  such  Houses,  &  the  Capital  in  particular, 
from  bad  management. 

4.  Sunday.  Widow  Martha  Chard  &  her  children,  d.  of  her 
mother  Masury,  pr.  Br.  at  Sea.  Mr.  Hill  preached  all  day.  There 
was  a  gravity  of  manner.  The  text.  Kingdom  come,  was  handled 
mystically.  The  evening  Text  Will  be  done,  was  handled  doctri- 
nally,  &  his  God  man  was  freely  introduced.  A  suavity  of  manners, 
an  ease  of  deportment,  &  a  charming  countenance  form   an  ample 


1798]  WILLIA.M   BENTLBY,   D.    D.  257 

recommendation.  In  the  morning  was  the  alarm  of  fire  on  board  a 
ship  in  the  harbour,  so  that  on  Monday  we  were  roused  at  four 
o'clock.     AVe  coxdd  do  little,  but  the  Ship  has  not  been  entirely  lost. 

5.  The  Ship*  we  find  belonged  to  Mr.  W.  Gray,  outward  bound, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Felt.  Her  cargo  was  principally  rum  &  sugar. 
One  Duncan  was  left  on  board  as  Ship  keeper.  He  lost  an  arm  in 
the  war.  He  had  been  before  dismissed  from  service  for  intemper- 
ance. He  perished  in  the  flames  &  but  a  small  part  of  his  body 
was  left  unconsumed.  It  was  doubtless  his  folly  which  occasioned 
the  damage  to  the  Ship  &  the  loss  of  his  own  life. 

G.  While  they  were  cleaning  one  of  the  Engines  this  day,  a 
double  Slay  from  the  Country  started  &  the  Horses  in  it  precipitat- 
ed themselves  over  a  wharf  into  the  River.  One  of  them  perished. 
There  was  a  Contribution  in  behalf  of  the  Owner  for  his  loss.  The 
School  Committee  have  directed  the  Master  to  command  the  boy  to 
withdraw  from  the  public  School,  who  has  occasioned  so  much 
trouble  to  the  School  &  finally  put  fire  to  it,  by  which  it  was  so 
greatly  injuried.  The  father  pleads  the  insufficiency  of  his  Son  & 
apprehensions  of  transient  deliriums.  But  he  did  not  plead  so 
when  he  made  a  former  Master  unhappy  &  contributed  to  drive  him 
from  his  employment.  It  is  uncertain  what  steps  the  Committee  & 
Selectmen  will  take  to  make  a  just  example  of  the  lad  or  to  recover 
damages.  The  Father  is  wealthy,  superstitious,  covetious,  &  devoid 
of  feeling. 

11.  Sunday.  Note.  Mary  Townsend,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband 
&  brethren  at  Sea. 

14.  Capt.  Allen  has  lost  a  promising  son,t  but  is  plagued  with  a 
living  one,  from  whom  he  expected  great  consolation. 

16.  My  character  as  an  Interpreter  subjects  me  to  some  odd 
circumstances.  This  day  an  honest  sea  captain  gave  my  barber  a 
Dutch  letter  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  for  me  to  translate,  as  he 
suspected  it  would  indeed  contain  some  public  news.  Besides 
honey  compliments  &  present  of  some  garden  seeds  &  some  good 
wishes  to  the  English,  who  were  eating  them  up  rather  than  serving 
them,  it  closes  with  good  will  from  Lady  to  lady,  &  with  these  ex- 
pressive lines,  thus  rendered 

The  bed  to  man  soft  as  clover, 
Father  likes  it  best  with  mother. 

Engaged  Bread  from  a  Baker.  Thus  I  suffer  myself  to  encroach 
upon  the  business  of  the  Boarding  house.  Soon  they  will  expect 
my  supplies  &  then  I  shall  ruin  the  business  as  in  a  former  in- 
stance &  destroy  my  welcome  by  my  generosity. 

18,  Sunday.  Notes.  Edwd.  Allen,  Wife  &  Children,  d.  of  his 
Son,  &  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Appeared  for  the  first  time  in  the  new 
style  of  a  Cloak  which  has  been  lately  added  to  the  gown  of  minis- 

'Stiip  Aarora. 

tJordaa  Lockhatt  Allen,  aged  16  years,  lost  over-board  off  Cape  ot  Good  Hope. 


258  DiAEY  OF  [Feb. 

terial  dignity.  Are  we  as  studious  of  real  goodness  as  our  fathers 
in  the  plain  band  &  the  dress  of  the  times  belonging  to  old  &  grave 
men. 

19.  Capt.  Sage  gave  me  his  bill  this  day  for  books  brought  from 
India,  &  has  made  me  pay  for  trusting  so  unfit  hands.  I  am  to 
pay  80  dollars  for  books  which  cost  him  this  sum  &  which  I  might 
have  imported  from  England  for  30.  Here  are  50  dollars  left  from 
the  hope  of  a  small  purchase  &  a  generous  gift.  Never  again  must 
I  smart  so  for  my  folly.     I  ought  to  send  prices. 

20.  Went  to  Boston  to  see  Porter  upon  the  form  of  the  new 
Cloak,  which  was  too  short.  Going  I  had  the  company  of  our  mem- 
ber, Esqr.  Treadwell,  who  related  circumstantially  the  affair  between 
the  Chief  Justice  &  the  State's  Attorney.  There  is  a  cause  depend- 
ing respecting  the  Eastern  Lands  bounding  &  lying  upon  the  An- 
droscoggin. The  cause  was  heard,  but  upon  the  first  hearing  when 
the  verdict  was  delivered,  one  of  the  Jury  dissented.  It  was  heard 
again  in  Worcester,  &  the  verdict  was  set  aside  by  the  Court 
because  the  Jury  did  not  determine  which  falls  were  intended  in  the 
grant  of  the  Claimants.  The  State's  Attorney  represented  to  the 
Legislature  the  affair,  so  as  to  bring  censure  upon  the  Chief  Justice. 
The  Chief  Justice  Dana,  has  written  to  the  House,  begging  leave 
to  vindicate  himself  against  the  Attorney  General  Sullivan's  charge, 
declaring  that  his  representation  is  imperfect,  misstated,  &  in  part 
false.  The  result  of  this  business  is  not  known.  The  House  chose 
a  Committee. 

21.  Mr.  Wm.  Gray  presented  to  the  Engine  men,  who  first 
reached  his  Ship  at  the  late  fire,  140  dollars.  The  Company  agreed 
that  the  seven  who  went  off  with  the  Engine  should  receive  it.  And 
the  seven  agreed  to  give  the  Company  an  entertainment  from  it  at 
Frye's  on  Washington  evening.  Such  notice  has  a  good  effect  upon 
the  spirits  of  these  enterprising  men.  This  week  a  number  of  sail- 
ors buried  in  Boston  a  Ship  mate,  an  Englishman,  with  flying  col- 
ours in  the  procession.  The  fiirst  example  of  the  kind  of  which  I 
have  heard.  Mr.  Gray's  Coach  appeared  at  the  funeral  of  Mrs. 
Lydia  Lee  this  evening  for  the  first  time.  This  fashion  begins  to 
obtain. 

22.  In  honour  of  General  Washington's  Birth,  Guns  &  Cannon 
were  firing  all  day  &  an  entertainment  was  at  Frye's  at  the  entrance 
of  the  Town. 

23.  The  Clergy  made  the  loss  of  the  Theatre  in  Boston  a  sub- 
ject of  congratulation.  They  forgot  that  it  was  the  loss  of  property 
but  no  change  in  the  manners  of  the  people.  Such  were  some  of 
them.  It  was  a  subject  of  gratitude  even  in  their  devotions.  A 
Doctor,  Chaplain  of  the  Court,  met  on  the  next  morning  an  emi- 
nent Physician,  who  thought  himself  weaned  from  Houses  of  wor- 
ship, by  ill  treatment  upon  political  accounts,  &  says  the  Dr.  with 
an  air  of  triumph,  to  the  friend  &  proprietor  of  the  Theatre,  "  was 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  259 

not  the  distruction  of  the  Theatre  a  splendid  scene  ?  How  com- 
pletely enrapted  in  flames.  What  a  sublime  Spectacle.  The  grand- 
est I  have  ever  seen.  Did  you  ever  see  a  greater  ?"  "  Never  but 
once  "  replied  the  Doctor,  "  &  then  I  was  a  Spectator,  with  Bur- 
goyne,  of  Charlestown  Meeting  House  in  flames."  Burgoyne  has 
given  a  description  of  this  scene.  Sam'  Phippen  died  last  night 
aged  53. 

25.  Sunday.  Notes.  George  G.  Lee,  d.  of  his  wife.  Sarah  Fiske 
&  children,  d.  of  her  daughter  Lee,  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Samuel 
Lambert  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  Brother  Richard  abroad,  pr.  for  Brethren 
at  Sea.  Kobert  Hill  &  Wife,  d.  of  one  of  their  twin  Children,  pr. 
for  his  own  long  sickness,  &  for  a  friend  at  Sea. 

27.  The  whole  conversation  is  upon  the  descent  upon  England. 
Many  Projections  to  accomplish  it.  Some  have  proposed  a  convey- 
ance in  the  air  &  some  under  the  water.  Some  have  proposed  fire 
arms  to  burn  the  ships  &  some  a  portable  camp.  Opinions  are 
divided  about  the  attempts  to  land  upon  an  Island  so  well  defended 
as  Gr.  Britain.  The  question  of  arming  vessels  is  turned  from  the 
lawfulness  to  the  expediency  in  a  neutral  power. 

28.  Seriously  engaged  in  the  First  Church  upon  the  subject  of 
an  Organ.  Subscriptions  have  already  amounted  to  one  thousand 
dollars.  The  absolute  want  of  vocal  musick  is  a  plea  which  they 
can  advance  with  justice.  The  first  Organs  were  at  Old  Church  in 
Boston,  Dr.  Clarke's,  then  at  Brattle  Street,  Dr.  Thacher's,  then  at 
the  New  South,  Mr.  Kirkland,  tho'  one  was  provided  soon  at  the 
Bennet  Street  by  the  Universalists.  A  few  years  since  one  was 
purchased  for  the  old  Church  in  Newbury  Port.  I  have  heard  of 
no  other  Congregational  Churches.  The  old  Church  in  Salem  has 
has  now  made  a  subscription  &  an  Organ  will  probably  be  obtained. 
There  is  a  small  one  in  the  Cong.  Church  at  Charlestown. 

March  1.  [1798]  Mr.  Bancroft,  the  Clerk  of  our  Common  Pleas 
&  Sessions,  was  kind  enough  to  let  me  have  access  to  the  County 
Eecords  for  the  first  time.  I  passed  over  the  first  Volume.  The 
first  Court  is  in  1636,  but  from  1641  to  1660  there  are  no  records,. 
&  yet  the  Book  continues  entire  so  that  nothing  could  possibly  have 
been  taken  from  this  Book,  which  probably  from  the  hand  writing 
is  indeed  no  more  than  a  Copy.  As  the  County  was  erected  in  1643, 
by  account,  in  that  Volume  there  is  no  record  of  the  first  trans- 
actions. 

4.  Sunday,  Notes.  Prisilla  Gill,  d.  of  her  Br.  S.  Phippen,  pr. 
for  Br.  Nath.  at  Sea. 

5.  Visited  the  County  Registry  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  &  Pleas, 
but  added  little  to  my  stock  of  information.  In  the  afternoon  I  visit- 
ed Mr.  Curwen  but  obtained  little  from  him  from  his  age  &  want  of 
memory.  A  contemporary,  by  comparing  ideas,  might  even  now 
get  much  from  him.  He  was  a  Son  of  the  Rev.  G.  Curwin  &  from 
early  life  was  fond  of  possessing  &  noticing  every  thing  curious  & 


260  DIARY  OF  [March 

has  saved  from  distruction  many  curious  things,  but  leaving  the 
Country  in  the  Civil  war,  his  Books  &  Papers  fell  into  unworthy 
hands  &  were  dispersed  or  distroyed.  He  has  a  very  rich  three 
quarter  portrait*  of  old  George  Curwin  who  came  to  Salem  in  1633. 
He  had  a  round  large  forehead,  large  nose,  high  cheek  bones,  grey 
eye.  His  dress  was  a  wrought  &  flowing  neckcloth  &  a  belt  or  sash 
covered  with  lace,  a  coat  with  short  cuffs  &  reaching  half  way  be- 
tween the  wrist  &  elbow,  the  shirt  in  plaits  below,  a  cane,  &  on  the 
ring  finger  an  octagon  ring.  This  dress  was  preserved  till  the  pres- 
ent Century  &  was  stolen  &  the  lace  ripped  off  &  sold,  for  which  the 
offender  was  publickly  whipped.  This  was  the  great  Grand  father 
of  the  present  Samuel  Curwin.  His  Son  Jonathan  was  the  Father  of 
the  Reverend  George  Curwin  who  was  the  father  of  the  present  Sam- 
uel. The  Revd.  Peter  Thacher  of  Milton,  is  preserved  in  the  fam- 
ily collection,  because  he  married  a  Sheafe,  the  grandmother's  mother 
of  the  present  Mr.  Curwin.  He  has  a  round  short  face,  without  much 
expression,  had  a  black  cap  &  wide  band,  coat  with  small  buttons 
on  the  cloaths.  Revd.  George  Curwin  is  in  a  gown  of  wool,  with  a 
long  band  of  wide  hem,  in  a  high  wig,  having  a  mild  countenance, 
high  forehead,  but  not  retreating,  blue  eye.  Mr.  Curwin  thinks  the 
Court  House  raised  near  the  old  Church  in  1719  &  that  the  Courts 
were  formerly  held  over  the  School  House  in  the  same  street  in 
which  the  Brick  School  house  was  afterwards  built  &  standing,  tho' 
nearer  to  Essex  Street,  as  the  Present  Court  House.  In  the  great 
fire  of  last  Century,  he  represents  Hurst's  House  to  be  where  Plais- 
ted's,  now  Shaddock'sf  is.  W.  Gray's  is  where  Browne's  was. 
Lendall,  where  B.  Pickman's,  &  Pilgrim's,  where  Lander's. 

6.  Saw  a  little  pamphlet  written  by  one  Low  of  Beverly,  Cord- 
wainer,  in  which  he  attacks  Mr.  Baldwin,  Baptist  Minister  of  Bos- 
ton, Green  formerly  of  Cambridge,  &  Clark  of  Med  way.  The  Sub- 
ject is  when  Gospel  Baptism  begins.  B.  begins  with  John.  Neither 
of  them  seem  to  imderstand  the  subject.  Low  brings  Hebrews  to 
prove  the  death  of  the  Testator  first,  but  according  to  this,  the  dis- 
ciples of  Jesus  who  baptised  in  his  lifetime  were  to  be  baptised  over 
again.     These  are  all  men  without  education. 

8.  Spent  the  day  in  searching  the  Town  records  for  this  century. 
These  are  chiefly  in  waste  Books  &  incomplete.  The  Town  had  en- 
gaged in  unhappy  factions  of  which  too  many  traces  appear.  At  our 
Fire  Club  it  appeared  that  two  buckets  only  were  missing  from  the 
number  lost  in  the  Ship  in  the  harbour.  The  Clubs  replace  such  a 
are  lost  by  the  members. 

9.  Finished  my  examination  of  the  Town  records.  Find  that 
there  were  7  Indians  found  buried  at  the  Point  of  Rocks  at  the 
Southwest  end,  with  these  stone  balls  with  heads  supposed  to  be 
used  in  fishing.     This  Land  is  now  entirely  gone.    Mr.  NoyesJ  was 

•Now  in  the  mnaenm  of  the  Essex  Institute. 

tA.  yariant  of  Chadwick? 

}ReT.  NicholM  Noyea,  pastor  of  the  First  Gburch. 


1798]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  261 

a  corpulent  man,  according  to  tradition  &  uncommonly  so.     Not  so 
gloomy  as  sanguine. 

11.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Susannah  Becket,d.  of  her  Brother 
Fowler,  N.  H.,  pr.  friends  at  sea.  It  is  difficult  to  persuade  our 
young  people  to  go  out  in  the  day  time.  It  perhaps  would  not  be 
so  difficult  in  the  evening  in  worse  weather. 

12.  I  went  to  Boston  to  attend  a  Committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
Upon  my  arrival  &  for  a  moment's  amusement  I  visited  the  Learned 
Pig  &  the  exhibition  greatly  exceeded  my  expectations.  It  was 
taught  to  discover  the  cards,  to  assort  the  letters  of  words,  &  to 
bring  numbers  for  any  purpose.  I  afterwards  visited  Bowen's 
Museum  &  tho'  the  arrangement  by  no  means  met  my  wishes,  yet 
I  could  select  many  things  to  give  me  pleasure.  The  wax  work  is 
extensive,  but  I  can  pronounce  nothing.  The  tapestry  obliged  my 
attention.  The  painting.  Death  of  Lewis,*  from  which  the  wax 
work  of  the  same  event  is  taken,  was  good,  but  the  resignation  of 
Washington  interested  me.  There  are  many  portraits  which  are  in- 
teresting. The  musical  clocks  discover  ingenious  mechanisms  but 
the  notes  of  the  clock  discribing  the  Organ  &  Claronets  were  capti- 
vating. In  the  menagery  was  a  bear  sleeping  &  slumbering  with  an 
insolent  contempt  of  every  visitor.  A  Babboon,  more  fond  of  enter- 
taining his  guests,  an  affronted  porcupine,  &  two  owls  who  gave  us 
no  share  of  their  notice. 

14.  Was  amused  in  hearing  how  often  my  liberal  friend  Free- 
man had  been  called  to  lay  spirits.  The  facts  confirmed  the  opin- 
ion that  the  vulgar  still  consider  the  Clergy  as  Magicians. 

15.  A  small  lad,  belonging  to  one  Dodge,  lately  moved  into  a 
house  near  the  Bridge,  on  Salem  side,  was  drowned  at  noon  at  Hor- 
ton's  point.  The  boy  was  playing  with  a  small  boy  upon  the  loose 
ice  &  the  current  setting  quick  round  the  point  alarmed  him  &  he 
jumped  off  &  terrified,  was  drowned  in  about  4  feet  of  water. 

16.  Was  called  to  the  Charity  House  to  attend  the  funeral  of 
two  natural  children.  The  first,  of  one  week,  was  paid  for  at  150 
dollars,  to  the  Town  to  quit  him,  by  J.  C.  Ward,  &  the  child  died 
immediately.  The  mother  is  of  the  family  of  Newton.  This  fam- 
ily is  a  rare  example  of  dissolute  manners  generally  &  in  a  sad  ex- 
treme. The  Mother  &  daughters  have  been  all  confined  in  the  pub- 
lic Charity  house.  Chubb,  another  sister,  has  been  infamous,  & 
another  Sister.  Their  Mother  Searle  is  now  living,  the  oldest  per- 
son in  Town,  aet.  97,  a  woman  of  known  temperance.  The  Father 
was  a  Butcher,  a  brawling,  obscene  man.  The  Second  child  was  by 
a  large  Mulatto,  called  Obed,  on  Margaret  Tozzer.  Peg  is  deficient 
in  understanding.  Her  parents  &  gr.  parents  were  unexceptionable. 
She  is  deformed  &  her  child  partook  of  her  deformity. 

17.  Attended  the  funeral  of  Asa  Dodge,  aet.  8,  mentioned  as 
Drowned.     The  Mother  is  from  Hamilton  &  lately  moved  into  this 

•LouliXVL 


262  DIARY  OF  [March 

Town ,  being  left  by  her  husband  in  Derby  street,  corner  of  Turner's 
S.  at  Capt.  Dean's.  She  has  great  singularity  &  uncouthness.  Sold 
all  her  furniture  &  removed  again  to  a  house  near  the  Bridge  to 
Beverly  on  Salem  Side.  She  does  not  seem  to  chuse  the  most  happy 
acquaintance.  She  has  two  children  left,  a  Son  also,  &  D.  set.  12  y. 
18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wife  of  Asa  Dodge,  d.  of  a  Son  drowning, 
pr.  for  Husband  at  Sea.  Mary  Romiere,  d.  of  her  child.  Hannah 
Webb,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  at  Sea.  MJ  Watson  says  that  in 
trenching  near  the  inlet  upon  his  land  in  north  fields,  he  found 
■wood  cut  by  the  teeth  of  the  Beaver,  so  that  antiently  there  must 
have  been  Beaver  Dams  in  that  place. 

20.  Was  at  M"  Wadsworth's*  funeral.  There  was  a  general  at- 
tendance of  the  Clergy  of  the  neighbourhood.  Prayers  were  in  the 
Meeting  House,  a  funeral  anthem,  &  Funeral  thought.  Mr.  Forbes 
of  Cape  Ann  made  the  prayer,  &  led  all  the  services.  There  was 
no  regard  paid  to  association  but  by  unanimous  consent,  the  elder 
Clergy  present  supported  the  pall,  or  rather  were  designated  for 
that  purpose.  Escutcheon.  Mary  Wadsworth,  aet.  46.  Left  two 
daughters. 

21.  Finished  for  Harris  the  part  of  the  new  intended  publication 
of  Masonry.  The  prayers  were  copied  from  my  Manuscript.  The 
funeral  Service  was  chiefly  composed  &  partly  compiled.  My 
Masonic  address  was  sent  on  for  the  Historical,  &  a  collection  of 
Toasts  was  marked  from  Masonic  publications. 

22.  The  arrival  of  a  Vessel  from  Algiers,  with  an  Algerine  Crew, 
upon  a  Trading  voyage,  this  month  at  Baltimore,  is  a  new  thing  un- 
der the  Sun.  Such  a  Vessel  has  never  been  before  on  these  shores. 
Like  Hez  :  the  people  are  disposed  to  show  them  all  our  Treasures. 

24.  Our  friend  young  Hasket  Derby  has  closed  his  doors  & 
been  in  confinement  in  his  own  Castle  this  fortnight.  We  know 
not  when  he  will  see  the  light.  The  father  has  refused  to  bestow 
more  of  his  wealth  in  the  payment  of  debts  &  the  Son  is  for  the 
present  to  be  fed  in  his  cage  &  to  give  his  notes  through  the  win- 
dows. Some  of  the  debts  of  this  young  man  fall  hard  upon  some 
worthy  men  &  the  excessive  wealth  of  the  father  is  a  strange  con- 
trast to  their  sufferings. 

25.  Dined  with  some  Kittery  men.  They  tell  me  that  Jonas 
Hartwell  is  dismissed  from  his  people  in  Father  Steven's  parish, 
for  intemperance.  That  Litchfield,  in  that  Town,  in  another  parish, 
is  partly  owner  of  seven  sail  of  fisherman  &  with  success  &  without 
loss  of  reputation  in  his  ministerial  character. 

26.  Capt.  G.  Gurley  Smith  is  in  daily  expectation  of  being  ar- 
rested. On  a  late  voyage  he  drew  by  order  of  E.  H.  Derby  jun"^ 
upon  Consul  Pratard  in  Madeira  to  a  considerable  amount,  &  re- 
turned the  property  with  vast  profits  to  the  Owuer.     The  Owner  has 

•Wife  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Wadsworth  of  Danvera. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  263 

failed,  &  the  Bills  are  against  him  by  default.     He  expects  impris- 
onnieut,  &  then  will  arrest  his  Owner,  if  to  be  found. 

27.  A  most  seasonable  discovery  was  made  this  morning  of  a 
fire  which,  in  the  S.  W.  upper  chamber  of  the  celebrated  Brick 
Store  of  Stearns  &  Waldo,  S.  E.  corner  of  Court  &  Essex  Street,  had 
communicated  to  a  beam  &  had  entirely  burnt  it  off  &  was  proceed- 
ing to  the  floor.  A  fire  had  been  made  upon  a  brick  hearth  laid  on 
the  floor  &  seperated  by  salt  &  mortar.  The  bricks  of  double  thick- 
ness. And  on  this  were  laid  pans  of  fire  to  dry  a  quantity  of 
damaged  tea  in  that  apartment. 

28.  Mr.  Henfield  the  best  gunner  in  Town  &  best  acquainted 
with  the  game  which  is  to  be  found  on  our  shores. 

30.  A  Letter  from  M"^  Philip  Rodrique,  dated  West  Point,  March 
20,  1798.  In  this  letter  he  begs  me  to  take  charge  of  a  Trunk,  &c. 
left  by  Misses  de  Grasse*  at  M"  Home's,  &  to  convey  it  safely  by 
water  to  the  care  of  M*"  Heinback,  Merchant  of  New  York,  &  to  be 
committed  to  the  care  of  M.  Larue  for  him.  I  called  upon  M"^*  Orne 
&  left  the  letter  with  her.  She  is  to  communicate  it  to  M'  Faye, 
who  brought  the  effects  to  her  house,  &  then  to  accept  my  direc- 
tions. This  Rodrique  lived  with  the  Misses  de  Grasse  at  Salem. 
An  uncommonly  pleasant  &  warm  day.  Windows  open  everywhere 
&  the  gardens  clearing  for  Spring  cultivation.     Some  seeds  sewn. 

31.  Several  Foxes  taken  on  Nahant  for  the  first  time  within  the 
memory  of  the  present  inhabitants.  The  expectation  of  a  war  be- 
comes more  serious  daily. 

April  1.  [1798]  Sunday.  Elizabeth  Archer,  Widow  of  Jona- 
than, dang.  sick. 

2.  This  morning  the  melancholy  news  reached  us  that  our  most 
worthy  Brother  Rev.  D""  Clarke  of  Boston,  expired  at  3  o'clock. 
He  was  taken  in  an  Apoplectic  tit  in  the  Pulpit,  when  in  his  Sermon 
in  the  evening  Service,  &  died  in  12  hours.  For  devout  temper, 
worthy  character  in  his  profession,  polite  accomplishments,  the 
belles  Lettres,  &  knowledge  of  Divinity,  he  has  left  few  equals  & 
no  superiors. 

3.  At  one  o'clock  this  night  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  Cabinet 
maker's  Shop  which  stood  on  the  north  west  corner  of  Andrew's 
Land,  in  Newbury  Street,  &  on  the  S.  W.  corner  of  the  Common. 
It  had  made  such  progress,  that  tho'  at  but  a  small  distance  from 
my  windows  &  in  a  public  place  open  to  view,  it  was  not  discovered 
till  it  was  wrapt  in  flames.  The  Owner  (M'  Adams)  supposes  that 
it  must  have  taken  fire  from  some  defects  in  the  hearth  which  the 
rats  have  repeatedly  undermined.  The  Shop  was  shut  at  dark  & 
the  Boy  took  the  usual  precautions. 

4.  iVf  Adams  hired  the  Shop  of  M''  John  Gardner  which  was 
burnt  down  last  night.  He  has  been  guilty  of  many  acts  of  care- 
lessness so  as  to  be  a  terrour  to  the  neighbours. 

*Daagbt«r8  of  Coant  de  Grasse. 


264  DIARY  OP  [April 

8.  Went  for  Boston  to  attend  the  funeral  of  D'  Clarke.  Found 
the  grief  universal.  The  Funeral  procession  was  at  four  o'clock. 
The  Clergy  preceeded,  being  40  in  number.  Then  the  Church  & 
Congregation  with  their  Children  &  Families.  Then  the  Corpse. 
The  Pall  was  supported  by  Doctors  Willard,  Howard,  Belnap, 
West,  Lathrop,  &  Thacher.  After  the  mourners  was  a  countless 
train  of  Inhabitants  &  then  the  Carriages,  amidst  a  crowd  of  Spec- 
tators. The  procession  moved  from  the  Parish  House  in  Summer 
Street,  nearly  opposite  to  Trinity  Church,  through  Malborough 
Street  to  the  Old  Church.  The  Music  was  a  Dirge,  the  Funeral 
Thought,  &  the  Anthem,  Blessed  are  the  dead.  D'  Howard  made 
a  solemn  &  proper  prayer.  D'  Thacher  with  his  eloquence  gave  a 
moving  discourse.  From  the  Church  the  Remains  were  conveyed 
under  the  Chapel  Church  to  be  deposited  in  the  Tomb  of  Joseph 
Barrell  Esq'',  a  most  sincere  friend  &  one  of  his  Congregation.  The 
Coffin  was  covered  with  black  broadcloth  &  lined  with  flannel, 
white.  There  was  a  narrow  metal  lace  upon  the  edge,  black.  The 
Initials  of  his  name  upon  the  handles.  On  the  Escutcheon,  Rev** 
John  Clarke,  D.  D.,  Pastor  of  the  first  Church  in  Boston,  aet.  43. 

9.  Visited  my  friends  &  the  Clergy,  but  the  constant  topick 
was  the  death  of  Clarke.  I  purchased  a  few  Books  of  Spotswood. 
Dined  with  my  Father.  Saw  the  young  Greenland  Bear  in  a  Sav- 
age State,  &  in  the  Stage  returned  to  Salem.  They  were  pulling 
down  Coburn's,  &c.  on  State  Street,  to  make  a  place  for  the  Bank. 
Saw  nothing  else  new. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Bethiah,  D.  in  Law,  Nath.  &  Eliz.  Archer, 
d.  of  Mother,  pr.  Br.  at  Sea.  Jon*  Archer  &  Wife,  d.  of  Mother 
in  Law,  pr.  Br.  at  Sea.  James  Archer  &  Wife,  d.  of  M.  in  Law, 
pr.  Br.  at  Sea.  Wid.  Mary  Norman,  d.  of  M.  in  Law  Archer,  pr. 
Br.  at  Sea.  Sarah  Millett,  d.  of  M.  in  Law  Archer,  pr.  Husband 
at  Sea.  B.  Knight  &  Wife,  d.  of  Sister  in  Law  Archer,  pr.  for 
friends  at  Sea.     Elizabeth  Palfrey,  delivery,  pr.  Husband  at  Sea. 

9.  Town  meetings  begin  to  be  called  upon  the  subject  of  War  or 
Peace.  The  prospect  of  our  Union  is  very  uncertain.  This  day 
was  buried  Colonel  Ezra  Newhall,  a  native  of  Lynn,  aet.  66.  He 
was  very  much  respected  &  was  a  Continental  Officer.  A  School 
Exhibition  in  Washington  hall  by  M''  W.  Bigelow.  This  may  be 
considered  as  the  first  in  a  private  School.  These  Spouting  Clubs 
never  pleased  me  &  I  excused  myself  as  well  as  I  could.  They 
seldom  aid  real  knowledge,  modest  deportment,  just  confidence,  true 
eloquence,  or  generous  truth.  The  Children  are  the  puppets  &  the 
Schoolmaster  moves  the  wires.  This  Town  has  now  made  a  begin- 
ning in  imitation  of  the  Capital.  Ensign  Ezekiel  Marsh,  who  died 
at  Danvers  this  week,  aet.  89,  lived  in  married  life  with  his  wife  66 
years.     She  survives  him. 

12.  Visited  Major  Epes  &  saw  at  his  house  his  Ancestor  our 
Representative  &  formerly  Schoolmaster,  taken  1715,  aet.  66.     He 


1798]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  265 

appears  in  his  own  hair,  flowing,  &  white  with  age.  A  Russet 
Gown,  sleeves  to  wrist,  &  neck  band  hanging  before,  as  M"^  Curwin, 
excepting  the  Clerical  band.  As  a  youth  he  has  the  School  gown 
which  covers  the  body,  hair  flowing,  open  countenance.  The  mag- 
istrate &  Schoolmaster  is  to  be  seen  in  the  first,  but  there  is  a  com- 
posed, not  a  severe  air.  The  Indians  must  have  been  upon  this 
ground  just  before  the  English  Settlements  as  the  places  of  their 
Wigwams  &  Shell  fish  were  visible  in  the  present  generation.  The 
dead  were  also  found  above  the  Town  Mill  on  the  south  side  of 
High  Street  Hill. 

14.  A  woman  in  Danvers,  delirious,  named  Traske,  drowned 
herself  in  the  past  week,  &  some  of  it  was  proper  hanging  weather, 
as  we  call  it.  Tom  Bowling,  another  Sailor,  was  buried  this  day. 
Tom  kept  it  np  till  the  last  breath,  swearing,  raving,  praying,  & 
the  last  came  in  only  by  the  edges.  He  was  a  true  Sailor,  lost  one 
hand  in  the  American  service,  knew  a  Ship  well,  &  had  all  the  true 
manners  of  a  Ship  of  war.  The  Song,  Tom  Bowling,  was  sung  in 
private  houses  by  his  friends.  What  his  true  name  was  I  never 
could  learn.  By  conversation  with  M""  Enos  Briggs,  Ship  builder, 
that  since  he  built  the  great  Ship,*  so  called,  for  M''  Derby,  he  has 
worked  on  Stage  Point  on  the  South  Side  of  the  Channel,  &  has 
now  ready  to  launch  the  Third  Shipf  upon  that  Spot,  above  300 
tons,  besides  having  built  several  of  smaller  dimensions.  The  three 
Ships  were  coppered,  &  were  for  E.  H.  Dei*by,  Pierce  &  Wayt,  & 
the  present  for  Marston  Watson  of  Boston.  He  has  a  Coasting 
Vessel  now  on  the  Stocks. 

15.  Sunday.  Edw.  Allen  &  Wife  &  Children  desire  prayers, 
d.  of  her  Sister  Gibbes  in  North  Carolina,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Abi- 
jah  Hitchins  &  Wife,  d.  of  his  mother  Hitchens,  set.  82,  of  Lynn. 
She  an  Ingalls.  The  death  of  M"  Gibbes  happened  in  N.  Car- 
olina in  1795  &  has  not  reached  us  by  any  communication,  till  this 
date.  This  must  be  accounted  for  from  the  neglect  of  a  Post  Con- 
veyance for  the  Letters. 

17.  Last  evening  begun  a  Snow  Storm  &  in  the  morning  every 
thing  had  the  appearance  of  the  depth  of  winter.  Every  thing  was 
covered  &  the  snow  continued  to  fall  in  great  quantities.  At  noon 
the  drifts  on  the  neck  were  above  knee  deep. 

18.  Have  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  New  Hall  finished  in 
the  New  Market  House.  It  combines  many  advantages  &  has  the 
public  approbation.  The  Hall  is  towards  the  Street.  Great  plenty 
of  Cod  &  Haddock  in  the  Market.  The  Oyster  men  make  their 
fijst  appearance  for  the  season. 

19.  I  find  that  the  Tabernaclers  are  making  an  entring  wedge 
at  our  part  of  the  Town.  Having  established  one  House  in  Mal- 
borough  St.  for  their  weekly  devotions,  they  have  obliged  the  As- 

*8taip  Onnd  Turk. 

tBblp  AlDACOD. 


266  DIARY  OF  [April 

sembly  Church  to  purchase  another  as  a  counterpart  to  their 
Labours  &  to  prevent  the  loss  of  the  Sheep.  They  begun  this  ca- 
reer by  morning  lectures  in  Knocker's  hole*  &  thence  have  extend- 
ed them  in  different  families.  At  length  the  instruction  of  Negroes 
came  into  the  plan  at  M"  Norris's.  Having  visited  every  other 
part  of  the  Tovs^n,  they  are  now  beginning  among  us  these  edifying 
lectures  &  as  they  begin  at  the  small  end,  they  have  induced  their 
Tything  man  of  the  smallest  capacity,  a  journeyman  ropemaker,  to 
make  an  entrance  upon  the  wheel  &  to  begin  the  first  thread.  It 
began  last  Wednesday  night  fortnight,  but  the  Creepers  into  houses 
have  not  succeeded  to  lead  any  captive  &  it  is  to  be  hoped  our  vigi- 
lance will  be  sufficient  to  prevent  success.  But  the  commonality 
are  exceedingly  illiterate.  Witness  the  quarrels  with  Skelton, 
Williams,  Higginson,  Nicholas  Noyes,  Witchcraft,  Fiske,  Leavitt, 
Barnard,  Whitaker,  &  the  rows  of  Church  meetings  about  the  most 
uninteresting  questions, 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Hawkes,  d.  of  her  mother  Burril,  aet. 
69,  at  Lynn.  Jon*  Archer  2"*  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  Br.  at  Sea. 
Some  of  the  Tabernacle  have  deserted  their  pious  pastor  for  serv- 
ing up  too  often  his  french  pastry  &  soups. 

24.  The  public  frenzy  obliged  me  to  sign  on  behalf  of  the  Brit- 
ish Treaty  &  the  busy  temper  of  the  Clergy  has  entailed  this  evil 
upon  the  order. 

28.  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  the  portraiture  of  L'  G.  Lev- 
erettf  from  Mr.  Treadwell  of  Ipswich.  Desire  of  it  has  given  it 
value.  Arts  are  used  to  engage  the  Clergy  in  the  English  Interest. 
The  french  friends  are  said  to  dispose  their  talents  as  usually  be- 
low mediocrity.  But  the  Clergy  will  not  be  supported  in  Republics 
by  public  favour  only  for  State  purposes  &  if  a  few  insinuations 
are  to  decide  them,  they  will  have  them  plentifully  from  the  party 
they  abandon. 

29.  Sunday.  Not  less  than  nine  vessels  on  foreign  voyages  ar- 
rived in  the  harbour  last  week.  A  John  Culbertson  of  Elk  ham 
Eiver,  15  m.  from  Kentucky  capital,  Lexington,  was  brought  in 
from  Lisbon  by  Capt.  B.  Dean  on  26*'*.  He  represents  that  he  was 
taken  by  the  Spaniards  &  carried  to  Cuba.  Was  taken  in  a  Span- 
ish vessel  &  carried  by  the  English  into  Gibraltar.  Thence  passed 
to  Lisbon,  &  being  sick,  the  Consul  sent  him  to  America. 

May  1.  [1798]  Addresses  from  all  quarters  to  the  President. 
The  address  in  this  Town  goes  on  swingingly.  The  Gazette  shows 
us  a  little  quarrel  between  the  Pedagogues  of  the  Town,  in  which 
they  reciprocate  their  abuse  &  prove  to  the  Town  what  an  excellent 
choice  it  has  in  them.  The  poor  wretchj  at  the  Tabernacle  by  his 
Fast  Sermon  has  earned  the  vengeance  of  those  who  hate  his  popu- 

•The  locality  about  what  is  now  High  Street.    The  name  said  to  have  been  derived 
from  the  constant  hammering  in  the  shipyards  nearby. 
tNow  in  the  museum  of  the  Essex  Institute. 
jRev.  Joshua  Spaulding. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  267 

larity  &  suffer  from  Lis  eutliusiasm.  He  is  a  fool,  but  he  is  not  to 
be  killed  for  folly.  He  is  an  Incendiary,  but  he  is  not  opposed  in 
that  character.  He  has  exposed  one  enthusiast  &  taken  his  popu- 
larity from  him,  that  is  one  crime.  He  has  made  some  cushions  to 
easy  Doctors  uneasy,  &  that  is  another  crime.  And  now  all  their 
vengeance  screened  under  the  present  political  zeal  is  poured  upon 
the  man  &  he  is  to  be  buried  under  the  ruins  that  his  Fast  Sermon 
is  to  bring  upon  him.  He  dieth  as  a  fool  dieth,  but  his  Crime  is 
not  in  the  inditement.  This  day  our  militia  was  to  be  mustered, 
but  there  was  hardly  to  be  seen  the  appearance  of  anything  milita- 
ry, except  in  the  Artillery  Company.  So  unpopular  was  the  Mili- 
tia Law  that  but  one  captain  was  to  be  found  &  no  superiour  offi- 
cers. The  companies  were  warned  by  Sergeants  &  some  neglected 
to  do  their  duty.  The  few  who  appeared  did  not  attempt  the  man- 
ual exercises  &  only  appeared  at  the  muster  roll  call.  The  dis- 
charge of  the  Artillery  closed  the  scene.  It  was  rather  a  burlesque 
upon  Militia  than  a  military  exhibition. 

2.  Our  good  friend  the  Centinel  has  given  us  one  slice  of  a  fine 
exhibition  to  deal  freely  in  politics  on  the  next  general  fast.  The 
other  party  deal  largely  in  invectives  against  it.  The  Clergy  suffer 
most  when  so  violently  tugged  opposite  ways.  In  my  perambula- 
tions I  went  to  Beverly.  Hearing  the  Parish  Bell  for  the  monthly 
lecture ,  I  went  in  &  heard  a  young  M''  Stone.  The  attendance  was 
the  same  as  in  Town,  by  few  men  not  many  women  &  these  chiefly 
advanced  in  life.  Called  on  M""  Dane  &  suspect  him  to  be  the  Au- 
thor of  the  Letter  to  the  Parson  upon  his  late  Political  Fast  Ser- 
mon, or  as  the  people  called  it,  upon  his  War  Breeches. 

3.  In  the  afternoon  walked  up  to  Esq'  Collins'  &  stopped  at 
Derby  Gardens.  Found  Esq""  C.  busy  in  preparing  his  gardens. 
Saw  a  Connecticut  Night  Cap  of  a  Conn.  Woman,  G.  Grand  Moth- 
er of  Madam  Collins.  It  had  a  wide  wrought  border  &  a  goar  at 
the  top  to  bring  off  the  border.  The  back  part  was  full  &  plaited 
&  drew  together  &  fastened  upon  the  top  of  the  head.  The  fore 
parts  tied  under  the  Chin. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Kehou,  delivery,  pr.  Husb,  &  Br. 
at  Sea.  The  Anabaptists  three  weeks  since  succeeded  so  far  in 
Beverly  as  to  gain  three  proselytes  &  they  were  immersed  at 
Ellingswood's  Head.  The  novelty  collected  a  crowd  of  people,  es- 
pecially children,  &  two  Beverly  women  &  a  young  woman  from 
Wenham  were  the  subjects.  It  is  several  years  since  any  thing  of 
the  kind  has  been  done  near  us  &  there  are  no  records  of  any  such 
transactions  in  this  Town,  tho'  doubtless  in  the  past  Century  such 
things  may  have  happened.     The  Baptist  Dipper  was  one  Lovel. 

7.  A  ^lanuscript  written  with  great  care  was  put  into  my  hands. 
I  have  at  present  my  suspicions  by  the  date  of  a  discourse  at  the 
end  declared  to  have  been  written  in  N.  England  in  1642,  &  inter- 
spersed with  notes  by  different  hands  that  the  best  writing  was 


268  DIARY  OF  [May 

from  Parker  of  Newbury,  &  the  Notes  are  as  correct  as  Noyes,  in 
an  older  hand.  It  might  be  left  with  Noyes  of  Salem,  who  was 
fond  of  Prophesy  &  of  his  Uncle  Parker,  &  so  pass  into  the  Gard- 
ner family  after  Noyes'  death.  I  have  not  yet  had  opportunities 
to  aid  or  refute  these  conjectures  by  the  present  owner  of  the  Book, 
who  is  not  a  man  of  enquiry. 

9.  The  fast  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
Much  expectation  was  expressed  respecting  the  conduct  of  the 
Clergy  on  the  occasion.  We  are  told  at  Church,  they  had  bitter 
invectives  against  the  French.  Nearly  as  high  at  the  old  Church, 
less  at  the  North  Church,  &  among  the  New  Lights  quantum  suffi- 
cit  in  the  opposite  politics. 

10.  This  morning  we  had  an  alarm  of  fire.  A  barn  of  M""  Orne 
was  on  fire  &  was  discovered  at  six  in  the  morning.  Speedy  assist- 
ance was  obtained,  &  the  Building  was  not  entirely  distroyed.  The 
general  fear  of  incendiaries  was  the  first  alarm,  but  there  were  rea- 
sons to  suspect  accidental  fire.  At  M"^  Lee's,  in  Paved  Street,*  op- 
posite the  fire,  I  saw  in  his  garden  one  of  the  stone  Corinthian 
Capitals  which  formerly  belonged  to  the  house  built  upon  the  spot 
he  possesses  by  M'  Marston.  That  House  was  of  brick  &  was  de- 
molished from  the  prejudice  against  brick  houses  &  the  present 
house  was  raised  in  its  stead.  The  outhouses  were  also  of  brick  & 
the  last  of  them  was  taken  down  within  the  memory  of  the  present 
generation.  The  capitals  were  purchased  &  some  of  them  removed 
to  a  Building  possessed  by  Kitchen  &  afterward  Turner  at  W.  cor- 
ner of  Beckford  &  Essex  Street.  They  have  several  family  por- 
traits &  a  fine  view  of  Vesuvius.  M""  S.  Gardner  &  Wife,  lately  of 
this  Town,  are  in  the  number  of  portraits.  There  is  a  most  beauti- 
ful garden  spot  behind  this  house  extending  almost  to  Norman 
Street. 

11.  The  paper  squibbing  of  the  Schoolmasters  or  their  friends 
continues.  The  learned  Pig  does  not  find  great  encouragement  to 
stay  in  Town.  The  Theatre  is  continued.  A  Concert  of  Musick  is 
promised.  A  celebrated  Teacher  on  the  Fortepiano  has  appeared  in 
Town,  but  with  slender  encouragement.  M""  Turner,  the  English 
Master,!  &  M'  Outein  the  French  Master,  have  their  Dancing 
Schools.  The  fashion  now  for  short  dresses,  coloured  shoes,  but 
plain  french  head  dresses,  among  the  Ladies.  The  men  as  they 
were. 

12.  Mr.  Rodrique's  trunks  went  on  the  Sloop  Industry,  Tomlin- 
Bon,  Master.  Capt  Hodges  assisted  me  in  this  business,  &  proper 
letters  &  receipts  were  sent  forward  to  M'^  Heinbach. 

M''  Macintiret  is  engaged  to  make  my  bust  of  Winthrop,  &  spent 
the  day  in  examining  my  collections  in  this  way. 

•Corner  ol  Crombie  street. 

tMarried  a  daup;bter  of  Dr.  Holyoke. 

tSMBoel  Mclntire  of  Salem,  architect  and  wood-carrer. 


GOV.  JOHN   WINTHROP. 


Bust  carved   in  wood   by    Samuel    Mclntire   in    1798,    and    now    in   the 
Dossession   of   the  American   Antiquarian    Society. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  269 

13.  Sunday.  Exchanged  with  a  Candidate,  &  went  for  the  first 
time  into  Upper  Beverly  M.  House.  It  has  all  the  marks  of  antiq- 
uity &  the  pulpit  lias  so  high  a  front  as  that  when  seated  none  of 
the  Congregation  below  can  be  seen.  They  have  not  settled  with 
their  former  pastor.     (Timothy  Alden). 

14.  An  officer  of  Police,  a  new  officer  of  the  Town,  M''  Waldo, 
has  made  his  address  to  the  public.  The  public  sufferings  from  the 
want  of  cleanliness  in  individuals  is  the  first  cause  of  this  appoint- 
ment. 

15.  The  Association  met  at  M"^  Thacher's  in  Lynn.  D''  Eliot  of 
Boston  preached  very  acceptably,  &  a  M""  Sabins  was  approved  in 
the  usual  forms  as  a  Candidate.  He  produced  certificates  of  his 
moral  life  from  his  Pastor,  of  his  academic  studies  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  College  of  Providence,  &  of  his  theological  studies  from 
D''  Barnard.  He  then  read  a  discourse.  In  giving  credentials,  we 
have  had  two  methods  which  have  occasionally  obtained  by  consent, 
to  sign  by  the  Moderator  &  scribes  or  with  the  names  of  all  present. 
We  have  now  agreed  to  combine  the  two  methods,  by  signifying 
what  members  were  present  at  the  preamble  of  the  credentials  & 
then  sign  by  the  Moderator  &  Scribe. 

19.  Capt.  Kitfield  riding  through  Beverly  to  Manchester  with  an 
unruly  horse  was  thrown  from  the  Carriage,  &  died  in  a  few  hours. 
His  wife  was  much  hurt,  but  was  still  living  when  the  news  arrived. 

20.  Sunday.  Robert  Hill  &  Wife,  for  him  dangerously  sick. 
Mary  Foster  &  Sister,  pr.,  d.  of  their  only  Brother  Holt.  Major 
Oilman  of  Cape  Ann  carried  home  this  day.     Died  at  Reading. 

21.  M''  Maclntire  returned  to  me  my  Winthrop.  I  cannot  say  that 
he  has  expressed  in  the  bust  anything  which  agrees  with  the  Gover- 
nour.  Parties  high,  or  rather  the  Federalists  are  in  triumph  &  few  dare 
to  speak  however  obstinate  their  tempers  &  their  prejudices.  The 
poor  Tabernacle  Minister  is  obliged  to  meet  the  general  resentment 
turned  against  him  for  his  ignorant  &  unseasonable  political  bawl- 
ing. Old  M""  Goodale  buried  last  night  at  a  very  advanced  age, 
set.  90. 

25.  Talk  of  building  by  subscription  a  20  gun  Ship  for  govern- 
ment at  Newbury  Port.  Fast  Sermons  for  the  press  in  Essex 
talked  of.  Those  from  Beverly  in  the  press.  Salem  Gazette  never 
had  so  many  advertisements  of  the  same  kind  as  at  this  day.  The 
Theatre  for  this  Evening  at  Washington  Hall.  Ibrahim  Adam 
Ben  Ali,  a  Quack  Doctor,  cures  all.  A  New  Stage  to  run 
from  Boston.  We  have  two  from  Salem  already.  P.  A.  Von 
Haegen,  jun  :  on  the  Forte  Piano.  5  D.  entrance.  6  D.  for  8  les- 
sons. M''  &  M"  Rosier's  Concert  on  1  June.  M"  Solomon, 
an  Actress,  to  teach  Tambouring.  Besides  these  we  have  Hotels, 
French  dancing  Masters,  French  Grammar  Master  exclusively 
of  Am.  Dancing  Master,  &  many  private  Schools.  The  Pig  of 
Knowledge    has    left    the    Town.     The    Dog    went    before    him. 


270  DIARY  OF  [May 

Such  is  the  change  since  I  have  been  in  Salem,  in  which  there  was 
but  one  public  School  house,  having  a  Grammar  &  Writing  School 
&  no  constant  private  School.  Now  there  are  four  public  Schools 
&  three  Houses,  four  private  Schools,  Women's  schools  for  needle 
work,  four  well  known  in  addition  to  the  great  number  for  reading 
only,  or  common  work. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sam.  Silsbee  &  Wife,  Her  delivery ,  Brethren 
at  Sea.  Mead,  of  Lower  Dan  vers,  suffers  from  a  general  disaffection. 
The  Proprietors'  meeting  expressed  the  sense  of  a  large  majority 
that  he  should  leave  them  &  a  seperation  is  expected.  Oliver*  is 
charged  with  imprudence.  Mead  with  neglect  of  his  people.  Both 
are  of  the  Hopkinsian  Sect,  but  not  men  of  abilities. 

29.  Went  in  the  Stage  from  Salem  to  Bosten  &  heard  the  Sermon 
by  Rev**  John  Gardner,  Assistant  Minister  of  Trinity  Church  before 
the  Episcopal  Convention.  This  gentleman  commands  an  happy 
style,  &  recommended  Unity  among  the  clergy  of  his  Communion. 

30.  General  Election.  M'  Emmons  preached  before  the  govern- 
ment. His  voice  was  feeble,  but  his  discourse  acceptable.  In  the 
afternoon  I  visited  West  Boston  in  company  with  a  M''  John  Allen, 
a  great  proprietor  in  that  part  of  the  town.  Great  improvements 
have  already  been  made  &  greater  are  expected.  The  Marsh  near 
the  Bridge  is  to  be  tilled  for  House  Lots.  A  Negro  town  has  been 
encouraged  on  the  Hill  south  of  the  road  to  the  Bridge.  Barton's 
Point  is  purchased  for  an  Almshouse.  There  is  a  great  Brewery 
established.  The  Rope  walks  are  rebuilt  with  Brick  Heads  & 
Houses  are  building  in  every  direction.  I  was  entertained  by  the 
private  Musetim  of  Joshua  Pierce,  who  is  Messenger  at  the  Customs. 
His  collection  is  curious.  In  the  evening  at  the  first  Baptist 
Church  I  heard  Dr.  Smith  of  Haverhill.  He  preached  without  notes 
&  without  ideas. 

3L  Was  the  Convention.  Dr.  Osgood  gave  us  a  good  discourse 
&  free  from  that  political  frenzy  into  which  he  has  worked  himself. 
In  the  afternoon  I  attended  the  sacred  concert  at  the  New  South 
Church.  In  the  evening  I  heard  Baldwin  of  the  Second  Baptist 
Church. 

June  1.  [1798]  I  paid  the  occasional  visits  due  to  my  friends  & 
returned  in  the  evening  stage  with  Burrill  to  Salem.  The  congrat- 
ulations on  such  occasions,  when  they  lead  us  to  recollect  the  pleas- 
ant parts  of  past  life,  are  a  lively  pleasure  which  this  anniversary 
of  our  State  brings  to  our  embraces. 

3.  Sunday.    Note.  Eliz.  Clarke  &  children,  d,  of  her  mother. 

6.  I  bathed  in  the  Sea  for  first  time  this  year.  The  recruiting 
GflBcer  is  still  seen  in  our  Streets,  to  provide  men  for  the  Frigate 
Constitution. 

7.  Friend  Philips  came  to  the  Quarterly  meeting  of  the  Friends 
at  Salem  &  called  to  see  me.     He  is  eighty  &  yet  firm,  neat  in  his 

•Rer.  Daniel  Oliver  of  North  BcTerly. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  271 

person,  active,  chearful  &  one  of  the  best  of  men.  He  tells  me  that 
there  are  not  above  a  dozen  of  the  Quakers  left  in  Boston.  Mr. 
Hareny  with  me.  He  complains,  as  all  the  french  Refugees  do, 
that  indiscriminate  resentment  is  poured  upon  the  whole  french 
character.  This  afternoon  went  to  Beverly  to  a  weddiny.  The  dif- 
ference of  manners  proves  the  great  power  of  local  prejudices.  The 
continual  squalling  of  a  child,  &  talking,  never  suggested  the  expe- 
diency of  carrying  it  out  of  the  room. 

8.  Reports  continue  of  the  most  insulting  measures  upon  our 
coasts.  It  is  said  the  Consul  General  has  been  refused  &  that  the 
Consul  at  Boston  has  disappeared.  The  french  are  withdrawing 
from  our  country.  Reports  that  Capt.  Daniel  Ropes  has  been  carried 
into  Guadeloupe. 

10,  Sunday.  Cleveland  formerly  of  Stoneham  is  resettled  in 
a  parish  of  Wrentham.  No  poor  creature  ever  suffered  more  insults 
than  he  had  at  Stoneham.  First  instance  of  going  abroad  in  form* 
to  marry  in  the  morning. 

11.  We  have  news  that  Ropes  who  rose  upon  his  vessel  &  re- 
covered her  has  been  recaptured  by  another  privateer,  &  cruelly  used. 
All  intercourse  with  the /re/icA  is  interdicted  by  a  Law,  pointing 
out  the  times  when  such  Law  shall  have  effect. 

13.  Reports  that  the  Ganges,  an  American  Sloop  of  war,  has 
taken  a  French  Privateer.  It  seems  to  be  determined  that  unless 
France  decides,  the  Americans  will  make  war  without  further  Cere- 
mony. 

14.  A  person  found  in  Town  having  the  Small  Pox.  Nothing 
will  induce  the  people  to  change  the  wretched  policy  of  keeping  it 
out  of  the  Town.  In  this  policy  they  are  kept  not  more  from  their 
own  fears  than  from  the  injury  to  the  market,  which  will  be 
deserted. 

15.  My  Brother^  with  an  officer  at  his  heels,  from  Cape  Ann. 
Pay  or  go  to  jail.  So  I  have  been  obliged  to  advance  three  times 
upon  the  same  debt.  I  charged  him  to  have  it  cancelled  &  to  bring 
me  a  receipt,  but  he  took  the  money  &  went  off.  He  is  a  poor  wretch, 
easily  seduced  by  any  mean  creature  who  chuses  to  gull  him,  fond 
of  the  bottles  &  ingenious  always  against  his  interest. 

17.  Sunday.  Robert  Hill  &  Wife,  for  him  dangerously  sick. 
Alice  Ropes,  her  delivery,  Husband  at  Sea.  Samuel  Webb  &  wife, 
her  delivery,  Brethren  at  Sea. 

20.  Capts.  Derby  «&  Prince  &  Col.  Page  gave  me  a  sail  to  Baker's 
Island  for  the  first  time  since  the  erection  of  the  Light  House.  It 
is  a  very  plain  building.  Capt.  Chapman  who  keeps  it  was  in  Town. 
We  had  our  fish  dinner  &  returned  in  the  afternoon.  As  the  tide 
was  low  we  had  a  very  distinct  view  of  the  rocks.  We  passed  over 
the  Kettle  Bottom,  known  by  the  House  &  rock  &  grey  rock  &  Cat 
Island.     Mr.  John  Dimon  Preston  is  missing.     They  left  this  port 

•In  gown? 


272  DIARY  OP  [June 

in  a  small  fishing  smack  belonging  to  Capt.  S.  Ingersoll,  bound  to  the 
W.  Indies.     Mr.  T.  Welraan  has  been  taken  by  the  french. 

21.  A  Letter  from  Mr.  White.  Another  take  in  by  purchase  of 
Books.  Wakefield's  Lucretius  comes  to  me  at  thirty  Dollars  from 
White.  I  shall  sink  under  an  insupportable  weight  of  debt.  Ap- 
plied to  Dabney  for  supply  of  Gazettes. 

23.  Left  Salem  to  go  for  Worcester,  agreeably  to  an  invitation 
from  the  Brethren  of  Morning  Star  Lodge.  I  passed  from  Medford 
to  Menotomy  &  crossed  to  Waltham  plains,  but  found  a  perplexed 
road  &  instead  of  entering  Waltham  Great  road  at  Gore's,  one  mile 
below  the  Meeting  House,  I  came  out  at  the  Meeting  House,  said  in 
the  new  road  to  be  ten  rods  further.  By  this  mistake  I  had  a  sight 
of  Mr.  Liman's*  elegant  Seat.  I  reached  Weston  at  dinner  &  dined 
at  Flag's  who  was  so  good  as  to  give  me  my  fare  for  past  minis- 
terial services.  From  Flag's  I  passed  to  Williams',  Marlborough, 
where  I  lodged.  This  is  an  excellent  tavern  &  here  also  my  Bill 
was  given  to  me. 

24.  Sunday.  I  tarried  &  spent  the  Sunday  at  Marlborough  & 
preached  all  day  for  Rev.  Mr.  A.  Packard  who  was  my  pupil  at 
Cambridge.  He  has  married  a  Quincy,  a  rich  wife,  &  is  convinced 
of  it.  5  children  were  christened.  In  this  town  french  influence 
has  prevailed,  tho'  now  abating.  On  the  national  fast,  an  English 
Flag  was  displayed  on  the  Parson's  Barn.  His  discretion  has  not 
been  seen  in  political  discussions.  The  public  mind  is  now  chang- 
ing. After  the  evening  service  I  went  for  Worcester  &  after  a  vis- 
it to  Dr.  Paine,  to  see  Miss  Nancy  Fiske,  I  went  to  Mr.  Isaiah 
Thomas's,  the  celebrated  Printer  of  New  England. 

25.  This  morning  was  rainy  &  we  were  disappointed  of  most  of 
our  Company  from  Lancaster  &  other  Towns.  At  one  we  proceeded 
from  More's  &  Free  Mason's  Hall  to  the  New  Meeting  House.  Good 
Music  was  provided,  instrumental  &  vocal  &  the  Two  Ministers 
went  into  the  pulpit  &  Mr.  Bancroft  made  a  prayer.  Denmark  was 
then  performed  &  a  charge  delivered.  After  service  we  returned  to 
a  good  entertainment  &  spent  the  day  agreably.  Mr.  Heyward  was 
Master  of  the  Lodge.  The  new  Meeting  House  has  now  a  fine  Bell 
&  Clock  upon  it. 

26.  This  morning  breakfasted  at  my  Classmate  Bangs.  Saw  his 
beautiful  garden  spot.  He  has  a  fountain  from  the  mill  pond,  a 
canal  &  a  river  through  it,  &  a  wild  luxuriance  of  growth  near  the 
river.  We  dined  at  Mr.  Caldwell,  the  High  Sheriff,  &  his  amiable 
Lady  excellently  performed  the -service  of  the  Table.  The  dinner 
was  excellent.  A  most  beautiful  company  of  Ladies  spent  the  even- 
ing at  Rev.  Mr.  Bancroft's  at  Tea. 

27.  Went  to  see  a  widow  Stickney,  alias  Lyons,  alias  a  daughter 
of  the  Carrolls.  She  has  an  enthusiasm  bordering  upon  derange- 
ment.    She  gave  me  some  of  her  compositions.     Her  son  Stickney, 

•Theodore  Lyman,  who  married  a  daughter  of  George  WilUama  of  Salem. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  273 

shew  me  some  plans  of  building.  He  has  good  talents.  His  plan 
of  a  Bridge  pleased  me.  At  ten  I  left  Dr,  Paine's  &  dined  hand- 
somely at  Pease's  in  Shrewsbury.  Here  I  saw  a  widow  Jones,  alias 
Baldwin,  a  native  of  Wenham,  named  Mary  Richardson,  aet.  106. 
Her  hearing  is  much  impaired,  senses  failing  &  few  recollections. 
Reached  Malborough  &  lodged  with  INIr.  Packard. 

28.  In  the  morning,  accompanied  several  miles  by  Mr.  Packard, 
I  passed  from  ]\[alborough  to  Concord  entering  about  one  mile  be- 
low ]\Ialborough  Meeting  House.  The  roadway  good  &  made  easy 
by  the  guide  posts.  The  Court  House  made  a  stately  appearance 
&  the  changes  for  the  better.  Reached  Charlestown  &  lodged  in 
Boston. 

29.  After  waiting  upon  Dr.  Eliot  I  returned  to  Salem.  At  half 
past  twelve  there  was  a  severe  rain  storm  &  after  the  rain  had 
greatly  abated,  the  lightning  struck  the  ship  Martha  belonging  to 
Mr.  Derby,  John  Prince,  Master,  lately  arrived.  The  lightning 
broke  the  top  of  the  foremast  proceeding  down  to  the  three  spars, 
till  it  reached  the  windlass.  It  then  passed  the  foot  of  the  wind- 
lass &  took  a  bolt,  under  which  sat  a  Mr.  Murray  in  the  forecastle, 
entered  his  head,  &  passed  out  of  his  foot  to  a  chest  upon  which 
his  foot  rested  &  passed  out  of  the  ship  at  water  mark.  It  killed 
INIurray  &  set  him  on  fire.  It  struck  also  Mr.  Edey,  who  almost 
immediately  expired.  One  Elison  was  senseless,  tho'  now  recovering, 

6  one  Ireland  who  was  bruised  by  his  fall,  probably  from  his  cabin. 

7  persons  were  in  the  forecastle  &  11  persons  on  board.  A  similar 
accident  of  a  person  killed  by  lightning  has  not  occurred  since  the 
death  of  Caleb  Pickman,  54  years  ago.  A  cry  of  Fire  was  made  in 
the  Town  &  the  Engines  were  put  in  boats  but  the  fire  was  only  in 
JNIurray's  cloaths.  The  sole  of  Murray's  shoe  was  cut  in  various  di- 
rections.    He  was  very  much  burnt  by  the  fire  over  him. 

30.  Were  the  funerals,  which  I  attended,  of  Murray  &  Edey. 
Above  100  couple  attended  at  each  &  the  prayers  were  in  the  street 
before  theii'  houses.  The  unusual  event  engaged  the  public  notice. 
The  Town  is  much  alarmed  by  the  spread  of  the  Small  Fox.  In 
my  absence  a  Vote  obtained  to  open  the  Hospital.  Above  100  pa- 
tients have  been  already  received.  The  subjects  are  discovered 
continually  in  town. 

July  1.  [1798]  Sunday.  Notes.  Margaret  Edey,  awful  d.  of 
her  husband  by  lightning,  pr.  for  her  aged  &  infirm  mother  Clarke. 
Mary  Chubb,  d.  of  her  only  son  Edey.  B.  Bray  &  wife,  d.  of  her 
B.  in  Law  Murray  by  lightning,  pr.  for  her  B.  wounded  by  the 
Lightning,  pr.  for  a  B.  at  Sea.  W.  Millet  &  wife,  her  delivery  of 
Twins,  pr.  for  a  B.  at  Sea. 

2.  I  left  Salem  for  Xahant,  taking  with  me  Miss  Harriet  E.* 
We  found  Lieut.  Gov.  Gill  &  his  fishing  suite  &  were  invited  to 
join  them.     Mr.  Gill  &  wife,  &  Mr.  Gill  his  Nephew,  were  with 

•Harriet  Elkins,  who  married  Col.  Eaos  Cutter,  U.  S.  A. 


274  DiABY  OP  [July 

him.  We  spent  the  day  agreably  &  returned  in  the  evening.  The 
weather  in  Town  was  extremely  hot.  A  frenchman  has  been  sup- 
posed to  have  been  drowned  in  the  Harbour,  &  a  Mr.  Mclntire, 
fisherman. 

3.  Weather  still  hot.  I  went  to  Nmigus  head  in  the  afternoon 
to  enjoy  the  cool  air  &  Mother  Morse's  Ale. 

4.  1  visited  the  Hospital.  This  is  the  sixth  day.  A  few  begin 
to  complain.  A  greater  than  usual  number  of  parents  &  friends 
are  admitted  with  the  patients.  The  Town  continues  healthy.  A 
Celebration  of  this  day  in  Boston  «&  in  several  other  Towns.  All 
the  Flags  were  hoisted  at  the  Shipping  in  this  Town  but  industry 
&  silence  had  no  interruption.  No  man  omitted  the  labour  of  the 
day.  Some  of  the  old  cannon  of  the  dismantled  works  of  the  neck 
were  cleared  of  the  balls  with  which  they  were  choaked  up.  But 
nothing  is  yet  done  to  repair,  defend,  or  provide  for  the  fortifica- 
tions. This  Town  has  as  yet  taken  no  part  in  the  Loans  to  Gov- 
ernment for  a  Navy. 

A  List  of  persons  of  the  East  Society  taking  Small  Pox  by  Inoc- 
ulation in  the  Hospital,  Great  Pasture,  Salem.     Little  &  Pickman, 

Physicians.     Entered,  June  29. 

Sarah  Allen,  set.  6  ;  family  of  Capt.  Edward  &  Marg.  Allen. 

Edwd.  Briggs,  set.  9  ;  family  of  Johnson  &  Kuth  Briggs. 

Sarah  Browne,  set.  14  ;  family  of  James  &  Sarah  Brown. 

William  Browne,  set.  9 ;  family  of  James  &  Sarah  Brown. 

Benja.  Crowninshield,  set.  15 ;  family  of  Benjamin  &  Mary  Crown- 
inshield. 

Maria  Crowninshield,  set.  12 ;  family  of  Benjamin  &  Mary  Crown- 
inshield. 

Hannah  Crowninshield,  set.  9 ;  family  of  Benjamin  &  Mary  Crown- 
inshield. 

Elizabeth  Crowninshield,  set.  4;  family  of  Benjamin  &  Mary 
Crowninshield. 

Ward  Chipman,  set.  16  ;  family  of  Thomas  &  Elizabeth  Chipman. 

Thomas  Chipman,  set.  9 ;  family  of  Thomas  &  Elizabeth  Chipman. 

Mary  Foster,  set.  20 ;  Widow  of  David  Foster. 

D.  Hovey,  set.  30 ;  family  of  Amos  &  Deborah  Hovey. 

Rebecca  Hovey,  set.  5 ;  family  of  Amos  &  Deborah  Hovey. 

Debora  Hovey,  set.  5 ;  died  11  July ;  family  of  Amos  &  Deborah 
Hovey. 

Sarah  Hovey,  set.  2 ;  died  21  July ;  family  of  Amos  &  Deborah 
Hovey. 

Mary  Ledbetter,  set.  10 ;  family  of  Mr.  Hovey. 

Mary  Millet,  set.  19  ;  family  of  Jonathan  &  Sarah  Millet. 

Hardy  Millet,  set.  22 ;  family  of  Jonathan  &  Sarah  Millet. 

Jonathan  Millet,  set.  8 ;  family  of  Jonathan  &  Elizabeth  Millet. 

Sarah  Prince,  set.  13  ;  family  of  Henry  &  Sarah  Prince. 

Henry  Prince,  set.  10  ;  family  of  Henry  &  Sarah  Prince. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  275 

George  Prince,  set.  8 ;  family  of  Henry  &  Sarah  Prince. 
Mary  Porter,  yet.  12  ;  family  of  Thomas  &  Ruth  Porter. 
John  Tit:  Ropes,  «t.  18;  family  of  AVilliam  &  Mary  Ropes. 
Sarah  Ropes,  ait.  40  ;  family  of  Samuel  &  Sarah  Ropes. 
George  Ropes,  iet.  10 ;  family  of  George  &  Seeth  Ropes. 
Henry  Ropes,  ret.  6 ;  family  of  George  &  Seeth  Ropes. 
Zech.  Silsbee,  set.  15  ;  family  of  Nath.  &  Sarah  Silsbee. 
Lydia  Townsend,  jet.  11 ;  family  of  Moses  &  Lydia  Townsend. 
Priscilla  Townsend,  set.  8 ;  family  of  Moses  &  Lydia  Townsend. 
Mary  Townsend,  let.  5 ;  family  of  Moses  &  Lydia  Townsend. 
Samuel  Townsend,  set.  8 ;  family  of  Samuel  &  Mercy  Townsend. 
B.  Webb,  aet.  13 ;  family  of  Benjamin  &  Hannah  Webb. 
Eliza  Webb,  set.  11 ;  family  of  Benjamin  &  Hannah  Webb. 
John  Webb,  aet.  9 ;  family  of  Benjamin  &  Hannah  Webb. 
Widow  B.  Masury,  set.  77,  in  East  Street;  died  Aug.  8. 

Aug.  3.  Mary  Collins,  aet.  15,  carried  to  Hospital,  D.  of  Capt. 
John  Collins.  Inoculated  Three  Sons  &  a  Daughter  of  Capt.  John 
Collins,  Robert,  Henry,  Charles  &  Caroline. 

Aug.  4.  A  black  Boy  died  of  the  natural  Smallpox,  belonging  to 
Capt.  Clarke,  at  the  Hospital. 

Aug,  14.  Died  a  daughter  of  Friend  Purrington,  set.  23,  of  natu- 
ral Small  Pox.     She  lived  in  Danvers. 

July  7.  The  Body  of  Nicholas  Martin  was  found.  This  ciril 
young  Frenchman  married  four  years  since  a  d.  of  Robert  Bartlett 
&  has  behaved  well.  He  was  employed  in  one  of  Mr,  Derby's 
Ships  in  the  harbour.  Came  on  board  in  the  evening  &  after  light- 
ing his  segar  went  on  deck  to  smoak  it.  No  more  was  seen  of  him. 
Reports  were  various.  Some  that  he  had  gone  away.  But  it  ap- 
pears that  from  some  accidental  cause  he  fell  overboard  &  was 
drowned.  The  body  was  taken  up  near  the  Aquae  Vitae  by  Mr. 
Crandall.  Martin  had  had  offers  in  a  ship  which  lay  near  &  bound 
for  Boston  &c  it  was  the  general  opinion  that  he  had  departed  in 
the  night.  He  had  conversed  that  evening  with  the  Inspector  on 
board,  about  the  advantageous  offers.  Others  said  he  had  been 
running  goods  &  others  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  tricks,  &c.  All 
utterly  false. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Archer  &  g.  children,  d.  of  their 
Brother,  frs.  at  Sea.  Elizab.  Martin,  d.  of  her  husband,  pr.  for 
Brother  long  absent.  Elizab.  Bartlet,  d.  of  her  Son  in  Law,  Mar- 
tin, pr.  for  Son  long  absent.  Sarah  Preston,  delivery,  pr.  for  hus- 
band long  absent  &  missing.  Capt.  Collins  came  from  Nova  Scotia 
&  arrived  this  day. 

9.  This  day  was  the  visitation  of  the  Schools.  We  first  went  to 
the  West  &  then  to  the  East  Writing  School  &  finished  in  the  Cen- 
tre. We  had  no  remarkable  specimens  of  writing  or  reading.  The 
grammar   School's  exercises   were  tediously  lengthened,   &   more 


276  DiAEY  OF  [July 

seemed  due  to  the  youth  than  to  the  Preceptor.     Mr.  Hopkins  ad- 
dressed the  East  &  Centre  Writing  Schools. 

11.  At  the  Hospital,  Major  Hovey  lost,  under  Inoculation,  one 
of  his  beautiful  Twins.  Undoubtedly  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
little  girls  that  ever  was  seen.  A  general  sentiment  of  affliction  is 
to  be  perceived.  The  last  Tuesday's  Gazette  arraigns  the  Town  of 
Salem  for  not  celebrating  the  Jfthof  July  &  subscribing  to  the  aid 
of  Government.  Tho'  all  the  Flags  were  displayed  at  the  forts  & 
upon  the  Ships,  a  more  perfect  silence  never  reigned  on  any  occa- 
sion. And  tho'  Newburyport  have  laid  the  keel  of  their  Ship,  Sa- 
lem has  not  shewn  even  a  subscription, 

13.  The  Court  of  Common  pleas  in  Town.  Mr.  Treadwell  for 
the  first  time  on  the  Bench.  An  hot  pressed  Bible  proposed  in 
Philadelphia.  Specimen  brought  hither.  The  first  attempt  of  this 
kind  in  America.  Thomas  at  Worcester  has  printed  four  Bibles, 
a  folio,  quarto,  large  8vo  &  common  Bible. 

14.  Mr.  B.  Knight  who  was  buried  this  day  has  been  long  para- 
lytic &  he  was  one  for  whom  a  Contribution  was  made  to  purchase 
Perkin's  points.  The  poor  man  made  many  attempts  to  use  them 
but  without  any  relief. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Knight,  d.  of  her  Husband.  Wid. 
Sarah  Knight,  d.  of  her  Brother  in  Law.  Joshua  Dodge  &  wife,  d. 
of  his  mother,  set.  72,  in  marriage  51  years.  Sarah  Creely,  delivery, 
Husb.  at  Sea. 

16.  A  disposition  appears  to  carry  on  with  vigour,  an  enmity 
against  every  man  who  shall  refuse  to  wear  the  black  rose  or  nation- 
al cockade,  or  who  shall  in  any  degree  or  in  any  sense  dissent  from 
the  public  measures.  Persecution  is  licenced  against  all  the  sus- 
pected. A  subscription  has  been  opened  to  build  a  frigate  &  loan 
her  to  Government. 

17.  Put  the  cockade  in  my  own  hat,  determined  not  be  behind 
in  the  little  things  with  great  consequences  to  our  peace. 

18.  Went  for  Cambridge.  Was  very  much  disgusted  at  the  in- 
discriminating  claps  &  shouts  of  the  multitude  in  the  time  of  the 
service.  Dined  with  Winthrop  who  perseveres  in  the  defence  of 
french  principles,  as  they  are  called.     President  dangerously  sick. 

Dr.  Howard  ofiiciated. 

20.  Visited  my  several  friends.  Did  not  find  one  Clergyman 
besides  myself  with  a  cockade  &  I  have  spoken  most  bitterly  ag.  the 
necessity  of  wearing  it.  The  prejudices  of  Salem,  &  the  assurances 
deceived  me. 

22.  Sunday.  The  Conn.  Episcopalians  carry  their  zeal  so  far 
that  Mr.  Eliot  of  Fairfield  tells  me  they  rebaptise,  &  one  of  the 
Clergy  has  given  the  example.  The  Episcopacy  will  soon  be  more 
than  a  name  if  some  zealous  men  have  a  success  corresponding  to 
their  endeavors. 

23.  The  Two  Frigates,  the  United  States  &  Constitution,  in  Bos- 
ton lower  Harbour  &  they  have  been  out  in  our  Bay. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  277 

25.  A  Letter  from  Wntertown  Lodge  requesting  a  Sermon  in 
September.  Our  neighbor  Ball  is  dead.  She  was  a  worthy  woman 
as  I  hear.  Ilahb.  Bowditch  had  a  paralytic  stroke  for  which  he  has 
been  preparing  himself  by  many  years  of  intemperance.  He  has  a 
fine  family.  A  Quaker  funeral  this  afternoon.  A  White  naked 
Coffin  was  among  the  singularities  of  the  occasion. 

26.  The  Subscriptions  of  Salem  for  Ships  of  the  Government 
does  not  proceed  with  that  energy  discovered  in  many  towns.  Ar- 
rived the  Ship  Bellisarius  from  Isle  of  France,  belonging  to  Crown- 
inshield.     She  is  pronounced  one  of  the  richest  ships  of  our  Port. 

29.  Sunday.  Was  obliged  to  shut  up  the  Meeting  House  [on 
account  of  illness].  Mr.  P.  attended  Mr.  Bowditch's  funeral  &  I 
excused  myself  from  the  marriage  service. 

30.  We  find  the  Alarm  from  the  Yellow  Fever  in  Boston  serious 
from  the  loss  of  a  lovely  youth,  Benjamin,  Son  of  Robert  Stone,  who 
was  a  Clerk  to  his  Brother  in  law  Dunlap,  near  the  place  of  infec- 
tion. Particular  circumstances  cannot  be  gathered  from  confused 
reports.  This  town  is  taking  every  precaution  in  clearing  the  Pest 
House,  &  removing  every  known  &  possible  cause  of  infection.  The 
Small  Pox  breaks  out  among  us  as  we  might  expect.  During  my 
indisposition  I  have  read  over  Holmes'  Life  of  President  Styles.  I 
confess  the  fullest  convictions  of  his  piety,  affability  &  learning, 
tho'  nothing  I  have  yet  seen  or  heard,  convinces  me  of  his  judge- 
ment, of  his  talents,  or  his  experience.  His  Diary,  I  know  some- 
thing of  from  personal  use.  Being  bred  a  C[ollegian]  I  followed 
early  the  practice  of  writing  my  experiences.  The  volume  had  hun- 
dreds of  pages.  But  cool  reflection  told  me  a  few  devout  prayers  & 
well  conceived  reflections  were  better  than  whole  volumes  of  con- 
fessions of  feelings  &  of  vanity.  Humility  is  not  so  expressed.  It 
has  no  language  for  man  or  God.  Passion  should  be  described,  not 
lamented.  Resolutions  should  be  noticed  not  as  made  but  kept. 
And  a  full  record  of  danger  escaped  and  of  the  means  may  be  use- 
ful.    Life  should  appear  &  the  appeal  should  be  to  our  actions. 

August  4.  [1798]  In  the  morning  of  this  hot  day,  I  went  with 
Major  Hovey  to  the  Hospital.     Mary  Collins  came  to  the  bars. 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  Amos  Hovey  &  wife,  d.  of  their  two  Children 
by  Inoculation,  pr.  for  fr.  with  Smallpox.  Susannah  Harthorne,  d.  of 
one  g.  Child  by  Inoculation,  Thanks  for  recovery  of  four,  pr.  for  one 
absent.  Nath.  Bowditch  &  wife  &  Sisters,  d.  of  his  Father  Habbaccuc. 
Jona.  Archer  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Sister  in  Law  Ball.  Abigail  Archer, 
d.  of  her  Sister  in  Law  Ball,  pr.  for  husb.  absent. 

7.  Small  Pox  broke  out  in  Danvers  among  the  friends.  One 
was  carried  in  to  the  Hospital  in  the  natural  way  &  11  for  inocu- 
lation. 

8.  Old  Mrs.  Masury,  set.  77,*  died  at  the  hospital. 

9.  Weather  still  very  warm.     The  reports  of  the  sickness   in 

•Mrs.  Deliverance,  widow  of  Benjamin. 


278  DIARY  OF  [Aug. 

Boston  contradicted  in  the  extravagant  form  which  they  have  as- 
sumed. The  place  of  contagion  so  deserted  that  a  man  lay  dead 
there  a  week,  &  he  was  not  discovered.  One  of  the  men  who  went 
to  bury  him  on  Bird  Island  was  killed  by  lightning. 

10.  A  Mr.  Lewis  travelling  from  this  Town  to  Boston,  from  the 
great  heat,  died  at  7  in  the  morning  at  Newhall's.  We  have  never 
known  a  warmer  season. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Batten,  d.  of  her  Sister  Masury, 
pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Mary  Lewis,  d.  of  her  husband.  Mehitable 
Valpy,  d.  of  her  Sister  Webb,  pr.  husb,  &  Brothers  at  Sea.  Joshua 
Webb  &  Sisters,  d.  of  their  mother,  pr.  for  Brother  at  Sea, 

13.  Major  Lawrence  lost  a  son  of  10  years  by  a  fall  from  a  horse 
near  the  North  Meeting.  There  was  no  external  injury  but  by  the 
shock. 

14.  The  great  Dr.  Morse  has  replied  with  his  feeble  attempts 
at  wit  &  quite  run  himself  down  below  notice.  I  have  come  to  a 
present  resolution  to  make  no  reply  as  my  friends  say  he  is  in  the 
mud. 

15.  For  the  first  time  I  was  afflicted  with  the  Toothache  & 
obliged  to  use  a  bandage.  The  Physician  declined  drawing  the 
tooth.  Ordination  at  Hamilton,  of  Daniel  Stori/,  for  the  Ohio  Set- 
tlements at  &  near  Marietta.     His  Brother  of  Marblehead  preached. 

17.  Dangerously  sick  with  a  bilious  or  rather  a  y.  fever,  Mrs. 
Millet.  Daughter  of  Mrs.  Phillips  buried  last  Sunday.  They  both 
were  taken  sick  together.  On  Sunday  Capt.  B.  Hodges  directed 
the  putrid  fish  in  &  about  the  Hogsty  to  be  removed.     Quere? 

18.  At  noon  Mrs.  Millet*  died  &  was  buried  in  the  afternoon. 
The  Physicians  pronounce  this  a  bilious  fever  in  an  aggravated  state 
differing  in  nothing  essentially  from  a  Yellow  Fever  vulgarly  so 
called.  The  Alarm  is  great,  but  the  treatment  of  the  patients  is 
kind  &  easily  secured  for  them. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  Widow  Eliz.  Millet  with  her  children,  d. 
of  her  D.  in  Law,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Margaret  White,  D.  of  her 
Sister  Philips  &  Niece,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Sarah  Underwood,  D. 
of  her  S.  Philips  &  Niece,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Andrew  Preston  & 
wife,  d.  of  her  S.  Philips  &  Niece.  Widow  Hurdle,  d.  of  her  moth- 
er Masury.  Widow  Shehane,  d.  of  her  mother  Masury,  pr.  for  2 
Sons  at  Sea.  Francis  Grant  &  wife,  for  him  dang,  sick  in  Charity 
House. 

21.  Went  with  Revd.  Story  across  the  harbour  to  Haskell's  on 
Marblehead  Side.  Morse,  at  last,  to  create  hatred  rather  than  re- 
fute, has  insinuated  that  I  might  be  one  of  the  Illuminati.  This 
poor  wretch  is  now  done  I  trust. 

22.  Upon  a  Ticket,  I  went  to  the  Installation  &  consecration  of 
Mount  Moriah  Lodge  in  Beading,  Middlesex,  ten  miles.  Tho'  near 
to  Salem  this  road  is  seldom  travelled  from  the  town.     The  Grand 

•Mrs.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D. 


279 


Lodge  met  at  T.  W.  Boreman,  1/2  a  mile  S.  of  the  Meeting  H.  & 
below  the  Hall.  The  Lodge  preceeded  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  pro- 
cession to  the  Hall  &  Meeting  House.  The  assembly  was  large,  & 
quiet.  Mr.  Prentice  made  the  prayer  &  Rev.  Kipley  of  Concord 
preached  &  Mr.  Murray  made  the  concluding  prayer.  From  the 
Meeting,  at  three  o'clock  we  passed  to  a  Booth  in  the  field  opposite 
to  the  Hall,  in  which  we  had  an  agreable  collation.  The  Tables 
were  sheltered  by  sails  &  at  a  proper  distance  Pines  were  placed  to 
give  a  shade  around.  I  left  the  tables  at  four  &  proceeded  to 
Lynntield  on  a  visit  to  the  amiable  Revd.  Mr.  Mottey.  I  found  him 
where  he  always  loves  to  be  found,  in  the  duties  of  his  family  &  his 
Charge.     I  reached  home  at  9  o'clock. 

24.  At  Beverly  they  are  erecting  a  pier  upon  the  head  of  the 
Bar  which  is  done  by  a  voluntary  contribution  upon  the 
tonnage  of  Vessels.  The  jner  is  already  up.  The  Beacon  is  soon 
to  be  erected  upon  it. 

25.  A  stone  wall  is  finished  at  the  water  side  of  the  Pest  H. 
Burying  Ground  on  the  neck. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Grant  &  children,  d.  of  her  hus- 
band. Anna  Steward,  d.  of  her  Father  Grant.  Elizabeth  Daniels, 
d.  of  her  father  Grant,  pr.  Son  at  Sea.  Hannah  Patterson,  her  de- 
livery, Husb.  &  Son  at  Sea.  Several  Sick  with  fever  which  have 
not  a  uniform  character. 

28.  Mrs.  Browne*  died  this  evening  of  the  fever,  at  6  o'clock. 
A  fine  woman.  This  morning  the  pier  &  beacon  were  raised  upon 
Ramhorn  Rock  within  Beverly  bar. 

29.  Mr.  John  Fiske  has  returned  with  Silsbee  from  his  voyage 
to  Genoa.  He  has  presented  to  me  the  new  Coin  of  Genoa  &  a 
specimen   of  the  old  Republic. 

31.  Mrs.  Parkerf  died  of  vomiting.  No  Physician  could  offer 
her  any  relief.  She  was  an  excellent  domestic  woman.  The  vomit 
was  such  as  gave  us  fears  that  something  singular  was  in  this 
case.  The  Town  is  in  great  fears  of  the  Yellow  Fever.  She  was 
buried  in  the  evening  after  her  death,  in  about  six  hours.  She  was 
sick  but  for  a  short  time. 

September  1,  1798.  Capt.  E.  Allen  Junr.  brought  me  Pallas 
Travels  in  Siberia,  in  sheets.  I  went  on  board  the  Ship  to  receive 
it,  by  favour  of  G.  CroA\Tiinshield  Junr.,  a  man  of  original  character 
&  some  grand  lines  in  it.  The  several  persons  sick  of  the  fever 
remain  in  the  same  state.  No  new  cases  have  appeared.  Several 
arrivals  at  this  port.  Allen,  Devereux,  Mosely,  Jona.  Hodges.  We 
are  much  favoured  by  these  arrivals. 

2.  Sunday.  Notes.  Priscilla  Lambert,  d.  of  her  Son,  pr.  Husb. 
&  Br.  at  Sea.  Tabitha  Groves,  d.  of  her  Brother  Marston,  pr.  Hus- 
band at  Sea.  Dorcas  Marston,  d.  of  her  Son,  pr.  Husb.  at  Sea. 
Philip  Furlong,  sick,  of  Wexford  in  Ireland. 


•Mrs.  Sarah  fMasury),  wife  of  James. 
tMrs.  Hannah,  wife  of  Bradstreet. 


280  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

3.  At  Boston,  has  died,  Shippie  Townsend,  a  noted  follower  of 
Sandeman,  then  a  Seperatist  from  that  communion,  then  in  the 
Universalist  scheme,  &  a  writer  in  the  Gazette,  &  Pamphlets, 
While  his  mind  has  been  in  the  tide  of  opinion,  he  constantly  sup- 
ported the  character  of  a  sincere,  consistent  &  good  man.  Marble- 
head  Company  of  Exempts,  commanded  by  Cols.  Lee  &  Orne,  have 
not  been  able  to  make  a  movement  in  Salem.  The  fort  lays  neg- 
lected, the  Kegiment  unorganized,  the  subscription  for  building  a 
Ship  unsigned  &  lost  &  not  one  public  measure  pursued  excepting  a 
petition  to  know  how  much  the  U.  S.  will  do  in  finishing  the  forti- 
fications. 

4.  Left  Salem  to  attend  «&  preach  at  the  Installation  at  Water- 
town.  Reached  General  HulVs  &  took  Tea  with  him  &  lodged  at 
his  seat  in  Newton.  I  find  him  an  accomplished  gentleman,  but 
evidently  impaired  by  his  paralytic  affections.  The  suspicions 
from  his  political  sentiments  have  been  lately  strengthened  by  a 
writer  signing  Civis  in  the  Centinel.  He  read  the  paper  &  made 
his  comments  without  any  severe  emotions.  He  denied  any  writing 
against  Gen.  Washington.  He  declared  that  his  Charge  was  before 
the  proceedings  of  the  Commission  abroad  was  known  from  France. 
He  has  been  in  France  &  is  not  without  his  prejudices  in  favour  of 
that  nation.  He  is  Major  General  &  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Ses- 
sion. He  is  a  very  valuable  man.  His  wife,  d.  of  Abraham  Fuller, 
lately  a  faithful  member  of  the  Council,  possesses  great  integrity. 
His  eldest  daughter  performed  on  the  Harpischord  &  his  other  chil- 
dren were  agreable  &  very  familiar.  His  former  house  he  has 
converted  into  an  academy,  which  is  kept  by  a  Physician  named 
Stearns.  He  is  now  erecting  a  brewery  upon  the  river  &  has  finished 
the  great  Building  120  feet  by  42.  It  is  27  feet  to  the  eves,  &  un- 
der the  side  of  an  hill  so  that  the  aqueduct  from  the  surface  enters 
at  the  second  story.  He  prefers  clay  to  tiles  or  Bricks  for  the  floor 
of  his  malt  house.  The  wharf  is  already  finished.  He  has  several 
buildings  on  his  farm  for  Tenants.  A  small  brook  enters  the  river 
south  of  the  Brewery.  His  Aquaduct  is  led  a  mile  from  a  western 
hill  &  is  carried  in  every  form  round  his  House  built  with  Brick. 
It  supplies  the  fountains  in  front  of  the  house,  the  cold  Bath,  the 
Barn  yards,  the  gardens,  &  at  different  distances  in  the  fields  may 
be  unstopped  for  use.  The  Town  of  Newton  has  its  boundary  upon 
Watertown  in  the  field  between  his  House  &  the  brewery.  The 
Dwelling  House  is  so  constructed  that  it  may  at  some  future  time 
be  a  Public  House  of  entertainment.  At  present,  the  travelling  is 
much  diverted  from  the  road  leading  to  Little  Cambridge,  onward 
towards  the  West  Bridge  of  Boston  which  saves  one  mile  &  1/2.  I 
admire  the  free  &  open  manners  of  his  children,  six  daughters  &  a 
Son.     The  Son  is  a  very  enterprising  little  fellow. 

5.  The  morning  was  Showery.  However,  I  visited  after  break- 
fast, Revd.  Mr.  Homer,  my  Classmate  at  Newton,     He  has  a  Son. 


1798]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  281 

His  fondness  for  Scripture  antiquities  has  induced  him  to  make 
this  the  choicest  part  of  his  library,  which  is  a  good  one.  But  he 
has  never  compared  systems,  distinguished  authorities,  or  given  a 
decided  preference  to  any  of  his  Authors,  His  piety  is  sincere  & 
his  studies  faithful.  The  world  he  does  not  love  &  therefore  does 
not  know  or  visit  it.  He  came  with  me  to  Watertown.  The  pro- 
cession formed  at  the  Hall  of  the  IVIeridian  Lodge  at  11  &  moved  at 
12.  There  were  above  200  Brethren.  The  Crowd  was  great  &  the 
Meeting  House  full.  The  G.  Chaplin,  Mr.  Harris,  did  his  part  of 
the  Service.  Revd.  Brother  Eliot  of  Watertown  made  the  prayer. 
After  Sermon  were  the  ceremonies.  The  Church  music  was  good 
&  the  Band  was  from  Boston.  We  returned  to  dine  after  3  o'clock 
&  three  tables  were  spread  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  under  a 
temporary  covert.  The  Dinner  was  liberal  &  elegant.  Revd.  Gush- 
ing of  Waltham  said  grace  and  Revd.  H.  of  Kewton  returned  thanks. 
The  Toasts  were  select  &  so  were  the  Songs.  The  day  finished  in 
quiet.  I  took  Tea  at  Mr.  Fowle's  &  lodged  at  Gen.  Hull's,  Gen. 
Hull  entertained  a  brilliant  circle  in  the  evening  at  his  elegant 
Hall. 

6.  After  Breakfast  I  took  leave  of  this  lovely  family  &  went  in- 
to Watertown.  Visited  Mr.  Faulkner,  Son  of  Col.  at  Acton.  Then 
took  another  breakfast  at  Esqr.  W.  Hunt's,  stopped  at  Fowle's  & 
then  rode  to  Camlpridge.  Conversed  a  moment  with  Judge  Win- 
throp,  who  was  engaged  with  his  Probate  Court,  &  then  rode  down, 
to  Boston  over  the  West  Bridge,  &  came  towards  Salem,  over 
Charlestown  Bridge,  &  dined  in  Lynn  at  Newhall's.  Upon  return- 
ing found  Mr.  B.  Parker  sick  &  wife  of  Joseph  Hodges.  Both  ex- 
piring of  the  fever.  Mr.  Parker  died  at  5  o'clock.  Mr.  Parker  went 
to  Boston,  Auff.  6,&  returned  the  same  day,  fatigued.  Complained 
of  an  Headache  &  of  feeling  cold.  But  kept  up&  on  Thursday  9th 
went  a  gunning  &  drank  freely  of  cold  water.  On  Saturday  he 
was  sick  &  on  Tuesday  confined  to  his  bed  to  which  he  has  been 
confined  23  days  till  he  expired.  The  Physicians  constantly  at- 
tended him.  The  bowels  swelled,  but  24  hours  before  death  the 
swellings  subsided.  At  10  p.  m.  died  Mary  Hodges  wife  of  Joseph. 
She  was  an  Andrew  &  her  mother  a  Gardner.  She  has  been  sick 
only  tAvo  days.  Xot  in  best  posture  of  defence  against  malignant 
disease. 

7.  Efforts  were  made  for  the  first  time  to  hasten  the  burial  of 
Mrs.  Hodges.  The  neighbors  in  St.  Peter's  Street  petitioned  the 
Selectmen  &  they  gave  written  orders  to  the  Master  of  Police.  The 
relatives  were  offended.  3  o'clock  had  been  appointed,  from  12  it 
was  delayed  till  1  then  till  two,  &  then  there  was  delay  as  the  sex- 
ton had  notified  the  pall  bearers  at  three,  &  after  three  was  the  pro- 
cession. No  attempts  were  made  to  hasten  the  funeral  of  Mr. 
Parker  &  he  was  buried  at  the  usual  hour. 

8.  Gen.  Hull  is  attacked  in  the  Centinel,  and  the  Masons  have 


282  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

been  charged  to  have  installed  two  Right  Worshipful  Democrats. 
The  virulence  of  invective  was  never  more  violent.  Mr.  Tytler  is 
rolling  rocks  in  Block  House  Cove  on  the  Neck,  for  Salt  Works. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Andrew,  d.  of  her  d.  Hodges.  Jo- 
seph Hodges,  d.  of  his  wife,  pr.  for  two  children  sick.  William 
Browne  &  wife,  d.  of  his  d.  in  Law  Browne,  pr.  for  three  grand 
children  sick  &  for  Sons  at  Sea.  James  Browne,  d.  of  his  wife,  pr. 
for  three  children  sick  &  for  Brother  at  Sea.  Wm.  Ropes  &  wife, 
d.  of  Sister  Browne,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Benja.  Browne  &  wife, 
d.  of  his  Sister  Browne  &  her  Sister  Hodges,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 
AVilliam  B.  Parker,  d.  of  his  Brother  &  Sister,  pr.  for  absent  friends. 

10.  This  day  a  Ship  launched  in  North  River  at  Frye's  Mills  & 
last  week  one  launched  at  Stage  point.  Saw  the  yam  from  the  Ha- 
vanna,  growing  in  Brigg's  garden  on  the  Common.  Expectations  are 
now  strongly  excited  that  Salem  will  produce  a  frigate.  Mr.  Gray 
offers  to  subscribe  9/lOths  of  the  sum  subscribed  by  Mr.  Derby. 

11.  Repairs  are  begun  at  the  Fort.  The  Americans  from  Ha- 
vanna  came  home  from  Cuba  under  the  convoy  of  one  of  their  Ships 
armed  on  the  spot,  &  this  night  they  arrived,  so  many  as  belonged 
to  this  port,  with  their  Convoy,  &  gave  us  a  midnight  salute.  The 
armed  Ship  belonged  to  Mr.  W.  Gray,  a  merchant  of  this  Town. 

12.  My  Brother  Samuel  with  me  from  Boston,  lately  returned 
from  his  first  voyage  &  from  Copenhagen  &  the  Baltic.  Many  ves- 
sels fitting  out.     Chiefly  for  the  North  of  Europe. 

13.  Seven  Square  rigged  Vessels  sailed  this  day  besides  smaller 
Vessels.  Business  for  a  moment  is  brisk.  At  our  Fire  Club  this 
evening.  Two  Buckets  paid  for  as  lost  near  Mr.  Gray's  Ship  in  the 
harbour.  The  digging  of  Cisterns  has  begun  &  that  in  Market 
Street  is  in  great  forwardness  &  it  is  expected  that  it  will  be  well 
supplied. 

14.  Platforms  preparing  at  the  Fort.  The  Aurora  charges  our  Sa- 
lem Printer  with  an  intentional  mistranslation  of  Gerry's  correspond- 
ence &  with  omissions,  which  the  Printer  pleads  were  accidental. 

16.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Andrew,  with  her  children,  d.  of  a 
grand  child,  pr.  28  children  sick.  Joseph  Hodges,  d.  of  his  daughter, 
p.  for  two  children  sick.  Mary  Cox,  d.  of  her  husband,  pr.  for  absent 
friends.  Hannah  Keen,  d.  of  her  Son  Cox,  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea  & 
a  Son  long  absent.  Hannah  Murray,  d.  of  her  Brother  Cox,  pr.  for 
husb.  &  Br.  absent. 

17.  Tho'  oppressed  by  ague  I  consented  at  noon  to  go  for  Bak- 
er's Island.  We  left  Forester's  wharf  at  two  p.  m.  &  landed  for  ale 
at  Mother  Morse's  at  Naugus  head  &  reached  the  Island  at  sun-down. 
Too  late  to  retreat,  we  agreed  for  our  quarters  for  the  night.  But 
our  company  was  too  large  to  expect  full  accomodations  from  a 
single  family.  The  Females  occupied  one  chamber  &  the  Males  an- 
other. We  lay  down  in  our  Cloathes  in  too  good  spirits  to  go  quiet- 
ly to  rest.     Not  a  Soul  was  allowed  to  sleep  by  the  children. 


5  c 

O  0) 

c  - 

U  CO 

-^  o 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  283 

18.  In  the  morning  our  party  was  employed  in  fishing,  but  my 
part  had  been  till  after  midnight  to  discourse  with  a  worthy  batchelor 
\ipon  the  doctrines  of  our  faith.  I  excited  his  curiosity.  He  was  in 
such  habits  as  neither  allowed  him  to  retract  or  to  hate.  We  left 
the  Island  at  two  &  with  a  fine  breeze  reached  the  wharf  at  three. 
A  Mr.  Hatch,  called  &  lodged  at  my  house  in  my  absence.  A  can- 
didate for  the  Ministry. 

20.  Cistern,  Derby  S.  &  Turner's  S.  promises  much  good  water. 
News  of  the  death  of  Capt.  Oliver  Webb.  We  now  conclude  that 
Dimau  Preston  &  his  Crew,  who  have  been  long  missing,  &  who 
left  this  port  for  the  Spanish  Main  in  a  Shallop,  have  foundered  at 
sea.  Their  vessel  was  deep  &  small,  &  they  had  an  heavy  gale  up- 
on leaving  port.  Our  young  men  go  out  among  the  islands  in  small 
boats  &  return  on  the  same  day  with  an  hundred  cod  &  haddock. 

22.  Put  three  packages  on  board  the  Ship  Friendship,  Israel 
Williams  Commander,  belonging  to  the  Merchants  Pierce  &  Wait 
of  Salem,  containing  Books  &  papers  for  Professor  Ehling  of  Ham- 
burg. The  first  a  large  Box,  the  second  smaller  &  the  third  a  pack- 
age.    The  Ship  lies  below  the  Bridge  off  Beverly. 

23.  Sunday.  James  Archer  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  Breth- 
ren at  Sea.  Yesterday  a  man  sent  to  the  Pest  House,  a  stranger, 
■who  had  the  fever  ^  this  day  another  from  Boston,  named  Jeffords, 
who  died  in  the  night. 

24.  This  day  died  the  other  man  carried  to  the  Pest  House  on 
Saturday,  named  Riker,  from  Kew  York.  This  day  another 
Stranger,  a  Spaniard,  who  came  in  with  Capt.  Welman,  as  did  the 
other  man,  w-as  carried  to  the  Pest  House  in  a  fever. 

25.  The  Fever  has  deprived  us  of  three  distinguished  ^^rm^ers. 
Fenno,  United  States  Gazette,  Philadelphia.  Bache,  the  Aurora, 
republican  paper,  Phil.  Greenleaf,  The  Argus,  at  New  York,  Rep. 
The  celebrated  song,  Adams  &  Liberty,  was  sung  at  the  Singing 
School.  I  paid  for  a  copy  of  the  verses  to  all  the  singers.  It  was 
written  by  Thomas  Paine. 

27.  Several  Cisterns  now  making.  That  at  the  Market  covered 
this  day.  That  in  Derby  &  Turner  street  timbered,  &  that  in  Essez 
&  Daniels  beguu.     One  behind  the  Court  house  in  great  forwardness. 

28.  They  are  fixing  their  j^ier  &  their  beacojt,  at  the  Lobster  rocks 
in  Beverly  Harbour.     Their  piers  are  better  done  than  ever  before. 

29.  I  was  favoured  from  Madam  Skinner  of  itarblehead  with  a 
likeness  of  Mary  Davis,  which  had  this  paper  accompanying  it. 
The  effigie  of  Mrs.  ]Mary  Davis  aged  117  years.  She  had  three 
husbands  by  whom  she  had  9  children.  45  Grand  Children.  215 
Great  (rrand  Children.  800  Great  Grand  Children's  Children.  At 
104  years  she  could  do  a  good  Day's  work  at  Shelling  Corn.  At 
110  years  she  sat  at  her  spinning  wheel.  She  was  driven  from 
the  Eastward  40  years.  By  a  notice  on  the  canvas  19G2,  probably 
1662,  that  might  be  the  year  of  her  arrival,  for  the  settlement  on 


284  DIAKY   OF  [Oct. 

the  Kennebec  at  Wiscasset  Point,  was  in  1663,  under  one  George 
Davie,  whose  children  write  Davis,  &  Sylvanus  Davis  was  Couucel- 
lor  there  in  1701  &  appointed  for  Sagadahoc  in  1692  under  the  Charity- 
Government.  In  1680  they  were  driven  away,  &  in  1730  began, 
again,  but  on  Sheepscott  Kiver.  The  peace  of  Utrecht  was  in  1713. 
If  Davis  returned  there  at  this  time  it  was  33  years.  He 
might  have  returned  before  or  as  late  as  1720.  She  died  at  Newton 
&  did  not  return.  Mr.  Gibaut  mentions  an  horse  mackerel  as  com- 
ing on  shore  at  Cape  Ann,  weighing  a  100  wt. 

30.  Sunday.  Jona.  Mason  Senr.  &  wife.  d.  of  grand  child  at 
Charleston,  S.  C,  pr.  for  absent  friends. 

Oct.  1.  [1798]  Found  that  the  notions  of  Witchcraft  &  the  be- 
lief of  the  facts  of  1692  were  not  eradicated.  An  aged  lady  sat  with 
the  greatest  composure  &  delivered  her  firm  assent  to  wonders  of 
wonders  more  wonderful.  Work  at  the  fort  slowly.  Subscription, 
slowly.     INIilitia  nothing. 

2.  The  Workmen  at  the  fort  trying  to  get  an  advance  of  thirty 
dollars  for  their  labour.  One  platform  on  the  north  quarter  is  fin- 
ished in  stone,  but  the  fort  otherwise  remains  the  same.  A  Sub- 
scription carried  round  to  all  the  inhabitants  to  get  signers  for 
a  sum  to  be  advanced  to  government  for  the  Frigate.  Such  sums 
as  of  ten  dollars  are  mentioned. 

6.  A  Seal  was  taken  last  week  in  a  mill  pond  one  mile  from 
Cape  Ann  Town.     These  are  not  so  frequent  visitors  as  formerly. 

8.  Attended  from  the  Charity  House  the  funeral  of  a  child  of 
Ruth  Austin,  a  common  girl,  who  was  delivered  of  this  child  in 
north  fields  in  the  severity  of  a  storm  last  winter  &  had  her  only 
shelter  under  the  ruins  of  an  old  building  partly  occupied  by  ne- 
groes. She  lay  exposed  in  open  air.  Last  evening  died  at  Gen. 
Fiske's  mansion  house.  Madam  Sarah  King,  jBt.  84. 

9.  Association  at  Marblehead  &  my  turn  to  preach.  The  Con- 
gregation thin  at  the  old  Church.  Walked  around  the  Town.  Vis- 
ited the  fort.  It  is  now  without  men.  A  Sergeant  &  three  men 
were  stationed  there  for  three  months.  The  new  brick  building  of 
Rochefontaine  &  the  wooden  house  of  the  old  fort  are  standing,  & 
the  latter  repaired.  Nothing  is  finished.  They  have  proved  their 
Cannon  &  now  remain  dismounted.  Six  pieces,  three  of  which  are 
good,  2  of  42  pounders  &  one  24  pounder  &  there  are  2  of  18  & 
one  of  nine. 

11.  Was  observed  by  the  Tabernacle  Church  as  a  day  of  Fasting 
&  Prayer.  This  is  noticed  because  it  is  the  first  thing  of  the  kind 
since  I  have  been  in  Town  &  merely  the  ebullition  of  an  ignorant 
zeal.  For  the  first  time,  it  was  my  charge  to  preach  in  the  Charity 
House.  All  the  forms  of  public  worship  were  observed  &  the  peo- 
ple were  well  clad,  quiet,  &  decent.  The  Artillery  Companies  of 
Danvers  &  Gloucester  paraded  this  week,  &  are  expected  to  join  the- 
Salem  artillery  on  Thursday  next. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  285 

12.  Our  friend  Mr.  Tytler  who  by  the  help  of  his  own  hands 
had  contrived  a  place  for  his  salt  pans  in  Watch  House  Cove,  on  the 
N.  part  of  the  Neck,  lost  all  his  labour  by  the  last  storm.  I  advised 
him  to  occupy  the  redoubt  just  above  &  convenient  to  the  water. 
The  well  at  Daniel  &  Essex  Street  near  the  lower  meeting  house 
covered  this  daj'.  They  digged  17  feet  &  bored  40.  They  passed 
one  bed  of  clay  into  sand  &  then  into  clay  again.  Some  water  oozes 
from  the  passage  but  no  generous  supply.  One  quart  in  a  moment. 
The  boring  in  the  wells  has  been  attended  with  little  advantage  in 
the  different  experiments.  There  is  now  a  well  above  North  River 
Bridge  &  another  as  you  pass  to  Mill  Street  going  to  !Marblehead. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Peele  &  wife  &  ch.,  d.  of  her 
Sister  Felt,  pr.  abs.  friends.  John  Becket,  wife  &  fam.,  d.  of  his 
sister  Felt,  pr.  son  &  fr.  at  Sea.  Wid.  Rebecca  Fairfield,  &c.,  d.  of 
her  Sister  Felt,  pr.  son  at  Sea.  Wid.  Hannah  Cloutman,  &c.,  d.  of 
her  Sister  Felt,  pr.  son  at  Sea.  Wid.  Sarah  Silsbee,  &c.,  d.  of  her 
Sister  Felt.  John  Barker  &  wife,  d.  of  a  Brother  in  law,  Briggs, 
pr.  for  a  sister  sick.  Timothy  Welman,  [&  wife]  her  delivery,  pr. 
Brethren  at  Sea. 

15.  Saw  a  letter  from  Dr.  Rush  of  Philadelphia,  to  Dr.  Oliver 
of  Salem,  in  which  he  complains  of  a  persecution  of  the  bleeding 
method.  Says  he  has  saved  9  out  of  10  under  his  care ,  but  in  his 
practice  he  has  been  confined  to  the  poor,  whose  necessities  threw 
them  into  his  hands.  He  thinks  the  fever  of  1797  &  8  different 
from  1793  in  its  malignancy  &  talks  of  a  morbid  perspiration  in  one 
case,  &  of  putrid  external  cavises  in  another,  confusedly  enough. 
The  Dr.  confesses  that  great  prudence  is  required  in  his  method  & 
that  he  has  lately  added  emetics.  In  truth  the  disease  baffles  the 
Physician.  He  consents  that  his  method  gives  most  pain  but  he 
thinks  &  affirms  that  it  ensures  most  relief. 

16.  A  little  introductory  parade  on  the  Common  of  the  Artillery 
with  a  few  discharges  of  their  pieces.  Their  gun  house  is  now  fin- 
ished on  the  Common  &  tho'  it  has  no  majesty  of  appearance,  yet  it 
has  not  the  contemptible  meaness  of  the  building  which  was  em- 
ployed for  that  purpose.  By  great  exertions  in  Cape  Ann,  they 
have  erected  a  gunnery  of  two  stories,  &  furnished  a  very  handsome 
hall  for  the  company  in  the  second  story.  It  was  done  partly 
by  contribution,  partly  by  voluntary  labour  &  partly  by  the  sum 
offered  from  the  public. 

17.  Last  Friday  the  ShijD  loaned  to  Government,  the  Merrimack, 
was  launched  at  Newbury  port.  She  will  carry  20  nines  &  8  sixes, 
is  coppered  &  was  built  in  74  working  days,  &  will  soon  be  fit  for 
Sea.  The  town  of  Newburyport  has  distinguished  itself  by  this 
exertion.  We  in  this  Town  are  yet  subscribing  but  have  not  yet 
reached  the  sum  which  instantly  gave  strength  to  the  Carpenters  of 
the  Merrimack.  Some  subscribe  here  to  pay  in  work,  in  which  way 
a  Ship  would  be  a  dear  acquisition  to  the  States.     The  character.s 


286  DIAKY  OP  [Oct. 

of  such  subscribers  are  well  known  &  sometimes  they  avow  their 
intentions. 

18.  A  polite  notice  of  the  Ball  for  the  evening  in  honour  of  the 
Birth  of  President  Adams  on  the  19th  instant,  I  have  received  in 
season  yesterday.  This  day  a  military  parade  on  the  Common  of 
the  three  Companies  of  Artillery  from  Salem,  Gloucester,  &  Dan- 
vers.  The  national  dress  is  blue,  but  as  Salem  &  Danvers  were 
provided,  they  appeared,  Salem  in  black,  &  Danvers  in  red  uniform. 
In  the  afternoon  they  visited  Fort  Lee,  or  New  fort,  &  had  several 
military  forms  of  cannonades  before  a  large  crowd  of  Spectators. 
Last  Tuesday  a  Marhlehead  Standard  was  offered  to  Capt.  N. 
Hooper's  Company  by  Mrs.  Lucy  Johnson,  in  behalf  of  the  Ladies. 

19.  No  public  notice  of  this  day  in  any  sort.  The  famous  house 
in  Essex  street,  lately  erected  upon  the  Bowditch  Estate,*  is  to  be 
sold  in  November  at  public  Auction,     It  is  offered  at  10,000  dollars. 

20.  Weather  easterly,  made  first  fire  in  the  study  on  Thursday 
Oct.  18.  The  French  Embargo  upon  American  vessels  in  France 
taken  off. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  Rebecca  Millet,  her  sick,  pr.  for  Husband 
&  Brethren  at  Sea.  Lydia  Maley,  d.  of  her  Sister  in  law.  Brethren 
&  Sisters  at  a  distance.  Elizabeth  Bowditch,t  d.  of  the  late  Capt. 
F.  Boardman,  was  buried  this  evening.  The  third  young  wife  from 
the  house  of  Capt.  B.  whose  funeral  I  have  attended.  The  others 
were  the  wives  of  Richard  &  George  Hodges. 

22.  A  large  fleet  was  under  sail  from  this  harbour  &  their  guns 
were  fired ,  but  the  wind  shifted  &  then  a  stark  calm.  As  many  as 
could  returned  to  the  harbour  again.  25  sail  passed  down  from  the 
wharves.  Several  ships  &  coasters  were  in  the  harbour.  They  are 
now  altering  the  draw  of  Essex  Bridge  reducing  its  width  to  20 
feet  by  which  it  may  be  more  easily  raised. 

23.  The  Gazette  tells  of  the  death  of  the  Last  of  Lovell's  men 
who  were  in  the  action  at  Fryeburg.  Another  Frigate  of  20  guns 
has  been  launched  at  Fortsmoxtth,  N.  H.  Last  week  there  was  a 
review  of  the  Upper  Brigade  of  Essex  under  Brig.  Bricket,  by  Major 
Gen.  Abbot. 

25.  Last  Tuesday  a  Committee  of  5  persons  were  chosen  to  pre- 
pare the  building  of  the  frigate  which  is  to  be  of  800  Tons.J  We 
have  information  that  the  Sch.  Sukey  of  Boston  is  actually  lost 
near  Sandy  Bay,  Cape  Ann,  &  all  on  board  have  perished. 

26.  Dr.  Cutlei^s  note  to  his  Charge  at  the  Ordination  of  Mr.  D. 
Story  for  Marietta,  has  appeared  in  the  Gazette.  It  is  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  Ohio  Mounds  of  which  he  conjectures  many  things. 
As,  first,  if  there  are  trees  why  may  not  this  be  the  second  growth  ? 
And  if  the  Indian  had  human  sacrifices,  why  were  they  not  as 
probably  at  this  place  as  at  any  other.     In  this  way  he  has  cast 

•The  Read-Prescott-Peabody  house  built  in  1793. 
tWife  of  Nathaniel  Bowditch. 
tXhe  Frigate  Essex. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  287 

great  light  upon  the  business.  Last  night  Kussel  Sheldon  lost  his 
house  at  Reading  Precinct  by  Jire.  He  was  absent  &  the  fire  proved 
a  total  ruin  of  every  thing  in  the  house.  A  Vendue  of  l^ooks, 
among  which  a  few  good  books  are  to  assist  the  sale  of  very  indif- 
ferent works  «&  infamous  editions. 

27.  We  have  the  alarming  report  that  the  loss  of  the  Sch.  Sukey 
will  probably  prove  the  loss  of  many  valuable  lives  «&  of  many  ex- 
cellent women.  Preparations  are  making  in  Boston  for  the  cele- 
bration of  the  Birthday  of  President  Adams  on  Tuesday  next. 
Gen.  Knox  has  involved  Gen.  Lincoln  &  Gen.  Jackson,  but  it  is 
hoped  that  he  will  be  able  to  compensate  his  creditors  in  the  end. 
Our  great  men  have  been  at  least  bold  projectors  &  daring  specula- 
tors. Gen.  Lincoln  has  been  an  indorser  &  has  shewn  all  his  prop- 
erty candidly. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Peele  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Sister 
Nichols*  pr.  for  absent  friends.  Wid.  Mary  Boardman,  &  chil- 
dren, d.  of  daugh.  Bowditch,  pr.  for  Son  in  law  &  fr.  at  sea.  Mary 
Martin  «&  her  Sister,  d.  of  Sister  in  law  Bowditch,  pr.  for  Brethren 
absent. 

30.  The  Green  Mountain  farmer  or  Washington  &  Victory  is 
now  the  favorite  song  from  Mr.  T.  Paine. 

November  1.  [1798]  This  day  was  buried  from  our  Society, 
Ruth  Searle,  widow  of  Joseph  Searle,  in  the  96th  year  of  her  age, 
which  she  would  have  finished  in  the  next  month.  So  far  as  the 
history  of  this  woman  has  come  to  my  knowledge  it  is  this.  She 
was  of  the  family  of  Fowle.  Two  Sisters  have  been  within  my 
time  living.  Sarah  Silsbee  died  a  Widow  at  80,  in  1793.  Her 
maiden  Sister  Sarah  Fowle  is  now  living  above  80  years  of  age. 
Ruth  married  Joseph  Searle,  who  was  a  butcher  &  one  of  the  rough 
&  uncultivated  mortals  &  very  infirm  with  the  gout  &  other  disor- 
ders of  corpulent  men.  She  has  left  two  Sons  &  two  Daughters. 
Some  of  her  Children  have  behaved  very  well  &  some  exceedingly 
ill.  One  daughter  now  living  is  a  good  woman,  &  one  of  the  Sons. 
The  other  Son  is  in  the  Charity  house,  more  remarkable  for  an  in- 
dolent than  a  vitious  temper.  Ruth  fared  hardly  for  the  greater 
part  of  her  life.  JEt.  84.  Elisabeth  Allyne  was  born  in  this  town 
but  for  a  long  time  kept  the  house  of  one  Gunter  in  Boston. 
About  thirty  years  ago  she  returned  to  Salem  &  supported  herself 
upon  the  little  sums  she  had  accumulated.  But  last  year  she  had 
a  fall  which  injured  her  hip  &  from  this  injury  she  never  recovered. 
The  rheumatic  pains  she  had  suffered  joined  with  this,  rendered 
her  very  helpless.  She  was  christened  in  the  Old  Church,  Oct., 
1714.  I  find  that  two  Sisters  of  Mrs.  Searle,  now  dead,  lived  each 
above  four  score  years.  One  by  marriage,  named  Foot,  removed,  & 
one  named  Valpey  died  in  this  Town.  The  ^Mother  Fowle  lived 
also  to  an  advanced  age.     The  father  was  from  England.  A  Mariner. 

*MrB.  Lydia,  wife  of  Jonatban  NicbolB. 


288  DIARY  OP  [Nov. 

2.  We  hear  of  the  capture  of  another  Salem  Vessel  by  the 
French  in  the  West  Indies.  The  Charge  is  trading  with  the  Eng- 
lish. A  Bass  in  the  market  of  30  lb.  Bass  are  not  commonly 
brought  this  way  because  seldom  used. 

3.  The  Woman  I  saw,  set.  105,  Mari/  Jones  of  Shrewsbury,  is 
now  dead.  She  enjoyed  a  good  degree  of  Health  till  a  few  weeks 
before  her  death.  This  morning  died  R.  Millet,  aet.  28.  This 
young  wife  discovered  more  of  Chi-istian  patience,  resignation  & 
sentiment,  than  ever  I  had  before  seen  in  the  most  perfect  Christian. 

4.  Sunday.  Thomas  Dean  &  Children,  d.  of  daughter  Waters. 
Joseph  Waters  &  Children,  d.  of  his  wife.  John  Searle  &  wife,  d. 
of  his  Mother,  pr.  for  her  sick,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Eliz.  Bartlet,  d. 
of  her  Mother  Searle,  pr.  for  Son  long  absent.  Wid.  Mary  Chubb, 
d.  of  her  Mother  Searle.  John  Millet,  thanks  for  his  return  &  pr. 
for  friends  at  Sea,  pr.  d.  of  his  wife  &  her  Mother  in  his  absence. 
Elisha  Harrington  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Father,  pr.  for  his  Mother  sick. 
Samuel  Woodkins  &  wife,  pr.  for  only  daughter  very  sick  of  a  fever. 

5.  Capt.  Francis  Roache,  set.  43,  died  this  town  after  long  indis- 
position. 

6.  During  the  sickness  of  Mrs.  Millet,  a  netv  li^ht  minister  nsnued. 
Hopkins*  endeavoured  to  intrude,  but  her  ingenuous  firmness  kept 
him  out.  He  asked  to  pray  &  was  permitted,  but  was  not  noticed 
afterwards  or  invited. 

10.  They  are  blowing  the  rocks  on  the  neck  in  the  road  to  Winter 
Island,  &  there  is  a  fine  road  begun  on  the  Island  from  the  Fort. 

11.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Browne  &  Wife,  d.  of  Son  in  Law 
Roache,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  James  Browne,  d.  of  his  Partner  &  B. 
in  Law  Roache,  pr.  for  Br°  at  Sea.  Sarah  Millet  &  children,  d.  of 
D.  in  Law,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Sarah  Webb  &  children,  d.  of  her 
husband  Oliver  Webb,  abroad,  thanks  for  recovery  &  return  of  her 
Son.  Samuel  Woodkind  &  wife,  d.  of  their  only  child  &  daughter. 
John  Barker  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Sister  Briggs  soon  after  her  husband. 

Rev.  Mr.  Wads  worth  of  Danvers'  Epitaph  upon  his  wife  taken 
from  the  stone  at  the  grave.  Inscribed  to  the  memory  of  distin- 
guished female  excellence,  exemplified  in  the  life  of  Mi's.  Mary 
Wadsworth,  the  amiable  consort  of  the  Revd.  Benjamin  Wadsworth, 
of  this  Town.  Her  heart  was  a  temple  of  piety,  &  rarely  shines  so 
rich  a  Constellation  of  natural  endowments  &  fine  accomplishments 
&  christian  virtues  as  dignified,  embellished  &  endeared  her  char- 
acter. Highly  esteemed  she  lived  &  greatly  lamented  she  dropped 
mortality  in  full  hopes  of  heaven,  March  16,  1798,  in  the  47th  year 
of  her  age. 

Sleep  sacred  dust !  till  the  last  trump  shall  sound 

And  wake  to  life  all  nations  under  ground. 

Then  burst  the  bands  of  death  &  mount  on  high 

Enrobed  in  blissful  immortality. 

To  join  thy  kindred  soul  in  realms  of  joy  ! !  ! 
*Rev.  Daniel  Hopkins,  pastor  of  the  South  Church. 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  289 

13.  One  of  the  blessed  fruits  of  Clerical  interference  is  that  the 
general  Court  has  recommended  to  them  the  reading  of  the  Laws  on 
fast  da3'S.  They  have  begun  with  that  on  Profane  Cursing  &  Swear- 
ing as  least  exceptional.  The  Supreme  Court  opened  in  this  Town 
&  Judge  Dana  gave  a  charge  to  the  grand  jury  of  considerable 
length.  He  defined  treason  &  Misprison  of  Treason  &  then  passed 
to  a  vindication  of  the  Sedition  &  Alien  Bills  &  then  to  the  nego- 
ciation  of  the  United  States  with  France.  The  necessity  of  the 
sedition  Bill  he  argued  from  a  Liberty  Poll*  &  Inscription  in  Ded- 
ham.  Talleyrand  was  handled,  as  he  might,  but  perhaps  in  regard 
to  facts,  ought  not  to  have  been  believed.  He  observed  to  the 
honour  of  the  Country  that  there  was  not  one  criminal  case  before 
the  Court.  We  have  the  melancholy  list  of  the  unfortunate  suffer- 
ers in  the  Sch.  Susannah  cast  away  off  Cape  Ann  from  Penobscot. 
There  were  15  men  on  board  &  5  ladies.  Three  of  the  Ladies  were 
of  the  family  of  Hitchborn. 

l.j.     The  Court  sitting  in  this  town.     Several  Civil  actions  ex- 
cite the  public  attention.     Dunlap's  Soap  made  of  Train  Oil,  &  the 
action  of  S.  C.  Ward  for  a  sum  at  gambling,  gained  &  received  of 
said  Ward. 

17.  Electioneering  begins  with  all  its  frauds  to  prevail  in  Amer- 
ica. Our  gazettes  are  the  vehicle  of  the  several  means  of  inflaming 
the  public  mind.  One  Isaac  Clark  has  been  expelled  from  the  Ver- 
mont Legislature  for  distroying  votes. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Hannah  Malcolm,  d.  of  eldest  Sister 
in  Dan  vers,  Bullock,  prs.  for  Children  at  Sea  &  absent.  Abigail 
Bullock,  d.  of  her  mother  in  Law,  pr.  Brethren  at  Sea.  Hannah 
Webb,  delivery,  pr.  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  An  action  at  our 
last  court  ag.  one  Plummer  for  striking  Mr.  Moore,  the  minister,  at 
Newbury,  Old  Town. 

19.  Officers  of  Salem  Marine  Society  for  the  ensuing  year.  Capt. 
Benjamin  West,  Master.  Capt.  Edward  Gibaut,  D.  Master.  Capt. 
Jonathan  Gardner,  Treasurer.     Capt.  Jonathan  Mason,  Clerk. 

22.  20,  9  pounders  from  Scituate,  R.  I.  have  reached  Portsmouth 
for  the  sloop  of  war.  A  twenty  gun  ship  launched  at  Becket's  yard 
this  day  for  E.  H.  Derby,  f 

23.  This  day  was  the  visitation  of  the  Mass:  Grand  Lodge  to 
Essex  Lodge  in  Salem.  The  members  of  grand  lodge  were  received 
by  appointment  at  the  Sun  &  dinner  was  ordered  to  be  on  table  at 
two  o'clock  P.  M.  The  Tables  were  happily  disposed  &  about  40 
were  obliged  by  a  very  elegant  Dinner  in  all  respects  agreable  to 
the  whole  Company.  After  dinner  the  Lodge  retired  &  opened  in 
the  Lodge  Hall  &  sent  a  committee  of  Master  Masons  to  wait  upon 
the  grand  Lodge.  The  grand  Lodge  opened  &  after  due  examina- 
tions the  G.  Master  addressed  the  Lodge  &  a  polite  reply  was  made 
in  behalf  of  the  Lodge.     The  G.  Master  &  his  Lodge  then  retired 

•French  Liberty  Cap?       tSbip  Mount  V«rnoa 


290  DIARY  OP  [Dec. 

&  after  refreshments  departed  for  Marblehead  to  visit  the  Philan- 
thropic Lodge  in  that  Town. 

25.  Sunday.  Notes.  Daniel  Shehane  &  wife,  d.  of  their  young- 
est child,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Wid.  Sarah  Shehane,  d.  of  her 
g.  child,  pr.  for  her  Son  absent  at  Sea. 

26.  Blind  Mrs.  Phippen  is  to  be  buried  this  day.  There  are  now 
only  two  blind  persons  among  us,  Muley  &  Black  Caesar,  both  of 
whom  are  active,  known  to  me.  I  am  informed  of  three  others, — 
Betty  Whiting  &  Betty  Archer  not  entirely  blind,  in  the  Charity 
House,  &  a  young  man  named  Perkins.  In  no  case  has  blindness 
arisen  from  any  neglect.  In  most  cases  it  has  been  preceded  by 
disease  or  casualty.  Very  few  if  any  examples  present  of  imper- 
fect limbs,  &  no  cripples  are  seen  in  the  street. 

28.  I  offered  the  Printer  an  extract  from  Ebeling's  Letter  but  he 
would  not  consent  to  publish  it  unless  he  was  permitted  to  make 
comments  upon  it,  to  which  I  would  by  no  means  submit.  My  ex- 
tracts from  Belsham  upon  Wilberforce  he  treated  with  as  little  cere- 
mony in  laying  them  over  for  consideration.  If  all  the  Printers  were 
as  cautious,  government  would  have  no  need  of  a  Directory-Com- 
missioner to  guard  the  press. 

29.  Thanksgiving  Day.  There  was  Rain  in  the  Morning  but  soon 
afterwards  it  cleared  off  &  tho'  the  walking  was  wet,  yet  it  was  a 
pleasant  day.  The  fame  of  our  Music  attracted  the  notice  of  many 
persons,  especially  the  young,  &  the  house  was  unusually  full,  but 
it  did  not  add  to  the  whole  amount  of  the  Poor's  Contribution  five 
dollars.     The  order  of  service  was 

Opening  with  Instrumental  Music.  Two  bass  viols,  tenour  viol, 
3  violins,  hautboy,  4  G.  flutes  &  voices. 

Introductory  prayer.  42  Hymn  set  to  Music  vocal,  accompanied. 
Lecture.  Instrumental  music.  Prayer.  Particular  metre,  Barbault's 
Hymn  15th,  set  to  music  by  Mr.  Palfrey.  Sermon.  Instrumental 
during  the  Contributions.  Anthem  on  the  occasion.  Prayer  & 
Blessing.     Then  the  Song  of  the  Day,  •*  Adams  &  Liberty." 

30.  This  evening  in  company  with  the  family  of  Silsbee,  I  went 
up  to  Castle  Hill  to  spend  the  evening  with  the  family  of  Easties, 
lately  connected  by  marriage.  Mr.  Easties  shewed  me  two  places, 
where  evidently  had  been  cellars,  north  of  the  hill  &  one  below  the 
other,  easterly.  I  also  saw  the  place  on  the  south  side,  in  a  valley 
formed  on  the  south  side  of  the  hills,  where  formerly  was  a  Potter's 
kiln.  The  iron  funnel  was  found  under  the  roots  of  a  black  cherry 
tree  &  is  now  the  iron  of  a  mantle  in  a  chimney  of  the  farm  house. 
The  houses  on  the  Cellar  must  have  been  early  as  they  were  not 
recollected  by  the  father  of  the  last  Judge  Lynde  as  early  as 
1680. 

December  2.  [1798]  Sunday.  Notes.  Abigail  Thayer  with  her 
friends,  d.  of  her  Husband.  Elizabeth  Thayer  with  her  friends,  d. 
of  her  Son.   Mary  Becket,  d.  of  her  youngest  child,  husb.  &  friends 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  291 

absent.     Hannah  Malcom,  d.  of  her  g.  child  Becket.   Deborah  Sage, 
delivery,  husb.  at  Sea. 

6.  This  morning  was  laxinched  at  Brigg's  Shipyards  just  above 
stage  point,  a  Brig  with  her  masts  &  standing  riggings,  for  Thorndike 
of  Beverly.*  She  moved  into  the  water  with  that  graceful  regular- 
ity which  distinguishes  the  builder  upon  that  favourable  spot  he 
possesses.  It  is  the  fashion  of  late  for  the  Printers  of  the  United 
States  to  subjoin  all  diplomatic  &  other  communications  some  salu- 
tary commentaries  which  being  put  below  &  written  in  a  vulgar  stile 
have  a  tendency  to  pervert  the  minds  of  common  readers,  so  that 
as  soon  as  they  have  read  &  begin  to  think,  they  are  blusteringly 
arrested  by  some  absolute  decision  upon  the  construction  they  ought 
to  put.  Thus  Truth  has  free  course  &  is  glorified.  All  Confidence 
in  the  french  must  &  shall  be  distroyed. 

8.  In  yesterday's  gazette  we  had  the  last  roar  of  poor  Morse. 
His  only  fort  was  in  recourse  to  vulgar  prejudice.  He  did  not 
dare  to  meet  an  argument  fairly.  He  ranted  upon  the  zeal  of  Ma- 
sons his  old  Copie[s/c]  of  Robison,  then  condemned  all  Secret  So- 
cieties, &  after  saying  that  3/4s  of  what  had  been  said  was  nothing 
to  the  point,  he  ended  by  saying  that  nothing  was  understood.  He 
had  published  an  account  of  his  benevolence  which  in  the  Centinel 
of  this  day  is  proved  to  be  false,  attributing  to  his  own  zeal  the 
generous  exertions  of  those  who  were  independant  of  him  &  dis- 
pised  him.  Dined,  as  we  expected  for  the  last  time,  with  Madame 
Fiske  in  the  mansion  House.  She  removes  into  the  upper  part  of 
the  town  to  accomodate  Mrs.  Allen. 

9.  Sunday.  A  snow  storm  for  the  whole  day  &  I  preached  from 
scetches.  Note.  Margaret  Clarke,  dangerously  sick,  aged.  Mr. 
Rogers  &  wife  in  town  from  Newbury,  hoping  to  return  to  their 
School  in  this  to\vn  from  which  his  imprudence  drove  them.  At 
Neivhury  Port  the  School  felt  all  the  force  of  religious  &l  political 
party.  The  Children  contended  with  the  zeal  of  their  parents.  It 
is  observed  that  every  person  that  can  possibly  afford  it,  keeps  a 
carriage,  &  the  children  ride  to  &  from  their  School.  This  is  very- 
different  from  the  practice  of  Salem. 

10.  There  is  a  Schooiier  ashore  on  Nahant  Beach,  from  Surinam, 
belonging  to  Boston.  Crew  &  Cargo  saved.  The  storm  was  very 
severe.  Subscription  has  been  opened  in  this  Town  for  Mr.  Tytler's 
Compilations  on  the  Yellow  Fever.  This  is  an  artifice  of  the  Print- 
ers, with  the  aid  of  a  Quack,  to  force  a  little  money  from  the  public. 
Compilation,  Compilation,  Compilation  is  as  much  the  cry  as  beau- 
coup  d'argent  from  the  poor  frenchmen. 

11.  Capt.  Hosmer  has  brought  from  Russia  a  German  Clock 
chiefly  of  wood  that  performs  upon  a  German  harp.  It  is  much  to 
be  preferred  to  the  chime  clocks,  from  the  more  distinct  sounds  & 
less  continued  vibrations.     This  is  the  first  specimen  I  have  ever 

•Brig  Rorer,  13£  tone. 


292  DIARY  OF  [Dec. 

seen  of  this  kind.     The  harp  may  be  taken  down  &  played  by  the 
hand  at  pleasure  >&  is  an  instrument  of  music  always  in  the  house. 

15.  It  is  said  that  the  Grammar  School  master  in  this  Town 
has  resigned.  The  School  has  dwindled  to  14  scholars,  of  which  all 
were  never  present  together.  The  Salary  was  equal  to  the  mean 
of  all  the  salaries  of  the  ministers  in  Town  &  therefore  above  all 
but  one  of  them. 

16.  Sunday.  Note.  Jona.  Archer,  pr.  for  a  daughter,  dang, 
sick  &  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  I  preached  without  notes  again  as  a  more 
animating  method  when  the  services  are  short  &  the  weather  ex- 
treme.     Our  music  assisted  by  the  singers  from  the  Old  Church. 

17.  Mr.  Bond's  handsome  nero  House  in  Walnut  street  was  sold 
at  Vendue  this  day  for  850  dollars,  it  being  under  the  following  in- 
cumbrance of  a  ground  rent  of  30  Dollars  per  annum  for  20  years, 
after  which  term  the  land  may  be  purchased  at  an  appraisement. 

18.  Some  efforts  are  making  in  this  Town  to  create  a  love  of 
Musick.  A  musick  society  was  formed  by  young  mechanics  who 
met  occasionally.  Another  of  a  different  class  united  key  with 
wind  instruments,  to  which  the  first  were  confined.  A  Selection 
of  members  formed  another  Society,  who  have  provided  an  hall  in 
Cambridge  Street,  of  30  by  20  feet  properly  arched.  To  this  Mr. 
Dodge  is  to  send  his  Organ  which  he  has  built  in  this  Town,  im- 
porting the  stops.  Other  Instruments  are  to  be  conveyed  to  this 
place.  The  hall  is  to  be  used  on  common  occasions  to  teach  Vocal 
musick.  Dined  &  spent  the  day  at  Esqr.  Collins'  at  his  seat  in  Dan- 
vers  which  was  built  by  Hooper  &  was  in  1774  the  residence  of 
Gov.  Gage.  It  is  in  good  order.  To  the  original  land,  Esq.  C.  has 
purchased  a  neighboring  farm  north  of  it  &  a  50  acre  lot  in  front 
eastward  of  the  Endicott's  giving  him  the  Duck  river  branch  of  the 
Cow  House  river  &  the  large  willow  hedge.  He  is  taking  pains  for 
an  orchard,  but  fears  for  the  event.  He  tells  that  apples  succeed 
little  in  Nova  Scotia.  But  that  near  Malagash  they  have  plenty  of 
cherries  &  plums.  The  apples  succeed  better  in  the  rough  land  than 
on  the  sandy  plain  where  he  now  lives.  In  the  evening  with  his 
Brother  I  returned  to  Salem. 

21.  Gloucester  exempts  in  our  neighborhood  have  formed  a  com- 
pany under  Col.  Pearce.  Praise  is  given  to  their  Militia  &  Artillery. 
A  plentiful  tnarket  in  a  fine  day  &  good  sledding. 

22.  Timber  continually  passing  for  the  ship  to  be  built  for  the 
U.  S.  on  the  neck,  &  some  of  the  work  preparing. 

23.  Sunday.  Dined  with  Capt.  Hodges  on  a  wild  turkey  taken 
from  a  flock  of  turkeys  kept  by  Breed  upon  Nahant,  which  never 
come  under  shelter,  but  of  the  trees  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  house 
in  winter.  These  Turkies  are  pronounced  good  by  the  connoisseurs 
of  the  palate. 

27.  A  pleasant  day  &  I  assisted  in  the  celebration  of  St.  John's 
•day  with  the  Brethren.     We  were  not  full,  but  had  several  visiting 


1798]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  293 

Brethren  from  Marblehead,  Beverly,  &e.  The  Past  Master  Hiller 
installed  the  Officers  in  the  usual  forms  &  an  elegant  dinner  was  pro- 
vided. My  part  was  the  prayers,  address,  arrangements,  &c.  28 
dollars  were  collected  from  the  Brethren  of  the  Lodge  for  the  poor 
&  penniless  &  the  Lodge  closed  at  sundown. 

30.  Sunday.  Notes,  Hannah  Mack,  d.  of  her  child,  Husb.  & 
Br.  at  Sea.  Susannah  Sowers,  d.  of  her  g.  ch.  Mack,  Son  at  Sea. 
The  old  Church  yet  shut  from  the  indisposition  of  the  Pastor. 

January  1,  1799.  Mr.  Sennert*  buried  this  evening.  A  gentle- 
man from  Boston  generously  paid  all  the  charges  of  the  sickness  & 
fimeral  as  long  illness  had  impoverished  Mr.  Sennert. 

2.  The  New  Year's  wish  of  the  Gazette  says  of  Salem, 

Tho'  often  last,  she's  never  least, 

And  fame  &  fortune  to  secure 

Tho'  very  slow,  she's  very  sure. 
This  is  supposed  to  have  been  written  by  a  Mr.  Bigelow  who  keeps 
a  private  school  in  the  Town  &  was  educated  at  Cambridge. 

3.  A  very  great  burden  of  snow  now  upon  the  ground.  In  the 
Coimtry  roads  it  is  as  high  as  the  fences,  &  still  higher  in  Maine. 

5.  Weather  intensely  cold.  At  9  minus  at  sunrise  &  at  one  o'- 
clock P.  M.  after  a  clear  sun,  Dr.  Holyoke's  thermometer  in  the  great 
street  stood  at  1  minus.  The  timber  for  the  frigate  comes  in  merrily. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  R.  Collins,  d.  of  his  friend  P.  Sennert,  Sons 
absent.  John  Poor,  d.  of  his  friend  P.  Sennert,  Friends  absent. 
Mr.  Archer's  d.  was  buried  this  evening  &  proper  attention  paid.t 

7.  Mr.  G.  Ropes,  determined  no  more  to  submit  to  insults  on  the 
sea,  has  purchased  a  farm  in  Orford,  N.  H.,  on  the  Connecticut 
river.  The  nearest  rout  he  gives  me  is  the  following  :  from  Salem 
to  Topsfield,  Haverhill,  Plaistow,  Hamstead,  Chester,  Pembroke, 
Concord,  Boscawen,  Salisbury,  New  Chester,  Bridgewater,  Plymouth, 
Rumney,  to  Orford  &  then  7  1/2  miles  to  the  ferry  on  the  Con- 
necticut near  Prat's  farm.  The  whole  distance  being  137  1/2  miles 
from  Salem.  Three  Salem  families  will  be  upon  one  farm  when 
Ropes  arrives.  Captains  Story,  Butman  &  Ropes  &  all  have  been 
mariners.  10  families  enter  Salem,  for  one  that  retires  into  the 
Country,  with  this  difference  that  the  families  which  come  from  the 
country  are  commonly  of  young  enterprising  tradesmen,  while  those 
which  retire  are  generally  possessed  of  a  competence,  which  they 
hope  to  enjoy  more  at  their  ea,se  or  with  less  expence  &  hazard. 

8.  The  timber  for  the  Ship  has  come  in  so  freely,  &  it  has  been 
fresh  unusually  good  sledding  that  a  general  supply  is  obtained. 
The  Harbour  is  covered  with  ice  excepting  between  the  fort  &  Nau- 
gus.  Macanulty  with  us,  intending  to  board  with  us.  Betsey  Page, 
d.  of  S.  Page,  buried  this  evening  from  Col.  Lawrence's. 

10.     To  help  the  launch  of  the  Frigate,  now  we  have  the  timber, 

•Patrick  Sennert,  an  Irishman. 

tMarjr,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mebitable  (Kimball)  Archer. 


294  DiABY  OP  [Jan. 

a  report  is  given  from  a  Senator,  U .  S.,  Jacob  Read,  that  they  talk 
of  an  invasion  of  the  Southern  States  from  Gaudeloupe  should  there 
be  a  war.  The  French  have  a  Baltimore  Schooner  of  12  guns  &  the 
English  have  robbed  one  of  our  Ships  of  some  of  its  hands. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jona.  Archer  &  children,  d.  of  his  daughter, 
pr.  for  his  Son  at  Sea.  George  Taylor  &  wife,  her  delivery.  Wil- 
liam Boyd  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  friends  abroad.  A  Wid. 
Jenkins  slipped  down  &  broke  her  leg  in  two  places.  Mrs.  Fiske  has 
hired  a  seat  in  the  old  Church,  as  she  has  lately  removed  into  the 
Town,  &  has  left  us  sans  ceremonie. 

20.  Sunday.  Notes.  Eliz.  Martin,  her  delivery.  Brother  long  ab- 
sent. Her  husb.  was  drowned  last  year  in  the  harbour.  Capt.  C.'s 
Ship  fired  upon  the  news  of  the  arrival  of  their  Ship  from  India  at 
New  York.  This  is  the  first  time  for  an  arrival  at  another  port. 
Nancy  Wyatt  applied  to  Capt.  Hodges  &  myself  to  assist  her  in  her 
provision  for  her  natural  children.  It  was  at  first  agreed  to  go  to 
Andover  but  it  afterwards  dropped.  This  day  died  Samuel  Fiske, 
Son  of  Revd.  S.  Fiske  of  Salem,  &  an  infirm  Brother  of  the  late  Gen- 
eral Fiske,  aet.  58.  Upon  account  of  his  infirmities,  he  was  main- 
tained at  Manchester,  9  miles  from  Salem. 

21.  News  of  Capt.  Jona.  Mason  junr.,  who  has  been  absent  above 
13  months,  &  not  heard  of  after  he  passed  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
Spent  the  evening  with  Mr.  Bigelow  who  for  the  present  has  moved 
into  our  part  of  the  Town.  He  keeps  a  school  in  the  Brick  Store, 
S.  E.  corner  of  Court  Street.     He  has  married  a  Lander. 

22.  Capt.  Paul  Read  of  Maine  buried  in  Salem.  Attended  the 
funeral  of  Samuel  Fiske  at  Manchester.  Mr.  Crafts  formerly  min- 
ister of  Princeton  officiated.  The  Corpse  was  left  in  the  Burying 
Ground  from  thence  to  be  conveyed  to  his  Brother's  Tomb  in  Salem. 

23.  A  request  having  been  repeated,  sent  from  Anna  Wyatt  now 
at  Andover,  under  the  care  of  Dr.  K[ittredge]  her  Physician,  that 
I  would  in  company  with  Capt.  B.  Hodges  call  upon  her  before  her 
death,  we  consented  to  go  &  left  Salem  at  10  A.  M.  &  reached  Peter 
Osgood's  where  she  had  boarded,  at  one  P.  M.  but  she  had  died  in 
the  morning  before  our  arrival.  The  cause  of  her  request  was  a  de- 
sire to  secure  to  her  natural  children,  what  the  Law  unjustly  de- 
prives them  of,  such  property  as  she  was  in  possession  of  at  her  de- 
cease. The  history  of  this  young  woman  is — She  was  born  of  par- 
ents who  lived  at  variance,  &  the  father,  in  the  coasting  trade,  for 
many  years  made  his  home  in  his  sloop  at  the  wharf  when  in  port. 
The  children  were  all  of  warm  tempers  &  greatly  at  variance.  This 
d.  being  the  youngest  child,  lived  with  the  mother  &  yet  had  all  the 
affections  of  the  father  &  by  her  was  the  only  communication  of  all 
things  between  the  parents.  In  all  other  points  but  that  of  domestic 
variance  the  parents  were  unexceptionable.  When  I  came  to  Salem 
there  was  a  proposal  to  revive  the  singing  &  among  other  children  An- 
na was  sent  to  the  School.  To  a  good  person  she  united  the  best  voice 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  295 

&  judgment  that  ever  I  had  known.  She  soon  took  the  first  place 
&  was  solicited  to  perform  on  all  occasions.  Her  education  had  not 
provided  the  due  guards  for  such  a  situation.  Everywhere  her  com- 
pany was  desired.  And  when  the  sons  of  God  came  together  Satan 
came  also  among  them.  A  young  man  named  Bray,  of  good  person, 
paid  her  every  attention  &  seduced  &  then  abandoned  her.  She  had 
refused  the  addresses  of  a  young  man  of  greater  industry,  but  less 
address,  who  had  succeeded  well  in  the  world.  In  this  situation 
she  was  forsaken  by  all  her  young  companions  &  was  without  the 
the  resources  of  good  counsel,  which  may  relieve  the  misery  of  such 
condition.  She  fell  sick  &  was  for  a  long  time  very  low  but  recov- 
ered. After  several  years  she  was  addressed  by  a  young  carpenter, 
a  stranger  &  widower.  He  at  length  seduced  her,  lived  with  her, 
encouraging  her  hopes,  till  his  debauchery  &  abuse  obliged  her  &  all 
her  friends  to  call  upon  the  police  &  expose  her  to  the  public 
notice.  She  was  confined  in  the  public  workhouse  till  he  would  con- 
sent to  leave  the  Town,  &  she,  enfeebled  by  the  worst  abuse  which 
ever  was  known,  retired  to  Andover  to  finish  a  life  that  opened  with 
the  best  prospects  &  closed  at  33  years  of  age  with  the  worst.  No 
vice  was  to  be  charged  to  her  but  high  passions.  She  had  retained 
her  patrimony  which,  in  the  best  manner  she  could,  she  bequeathed 
to  her  two  natural  daughters,  which  Charity  of  the  noblest  kind  has 
in  charge.  We  returned  the  same  evening  bringing  with  us  an  aged 
&  kind  Aunt  &  the  two  little  Children. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Edwards  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Brother 
Samuel  Fiske,  pr.  Son  at  Sea.  Sarah  Stivers,  d.  of  her  Br.  S.  Fiske. 
Mary  Chever  and  the  children  of  Anna  Wyatt,  ford,  of  Anna  Wyatt. 
Tim.  Welman  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Sister  Anna  Wyat,  pr.  for  Son  at 
Sea.  Benja.  Bray  &  wife,  d.  of  their  youngest  child,  pr.  for  breth- 
ren at  Sea. 

28.  Hannah,  of  Anna  Wyatt,  has  been  disposed  of  in  the  fam- 
ily of  Capt.  Nichols,  &  the  younger  is  at  Capt.  Welman's  at  present. 
The  Judge  reports  that  the  signature  Anna  Wilkins*  must  oblige 
him  to  notify  the  heirs  fully  of  the  matter  so  that  at  last  it  will  be 
by  consent,  &  the  heirs  are  not  of  the  best  hopes. 

29.  News  of  the  death  of  Mrs  Elizabeth  Prebble,  at  Boston.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Hon.  Richard  Derby  of  Salem,  &  had  moved  from 
Salem  to  Boston.  She  was  the  third  wife  of  Mr.  E.  Prebble,  &  has 
left  three  children.  Mt.  29.  The  Widow  Patterson  fell  down  at 
her  door  this  morning  &  broke  the  bones  above  the  wrist.  She  was 
a  very  corpulent  woman. 

31.  Went  with  my  friend  Mr.  Derby  to  Boston  to  attend  the 
funeral  of  his  Sister  Prebble.  I  reached  Boston  in  season  to  hear 
part  of  the  Sermon  at  the  Thursday  Lecture.  I  found  Dr.  West  of 
Boston  in  the  pulpit.  He  speaks  without  notes  but  evidently  from 
recollection  &  without  energy.     The  Funeral  was  from  the  Tontine 

*HawkiBS,  in  Bentley's  Parish  Deaths. 


296  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

Buildings  &  Mr.  Kirkland  officiated.  We  proceeded  to  the  new 
grounds  at  the  bottom  of  the  Common.  I  then  passed  to  Freeman, 
who  invited  Mr.  Nichols  to  spend  the  evening,  &  we  did  spend  it  in 
great  glee,  &  supped  on  venison.  I  returned  to  my  Father's  at  12. 
February  1.  [1799]  Waited  on  Dr.  Lathrop.  He  informed  me 
of  the  zeal  of  Professor  Pearson  to  oppose  my  interest  from  the 
late  controversy  with  Dr.  Morse  upon  Robison's  Free  Masonry.  Mr. 
Freeman  mentioned  a  late  voyage  07i  the  N.  E.  parts  of  Europe  with 
great  respect.  After  having  obtained  the  literary  news,  at  11  I  left 
Boston  &  reached  Salem  after  one  o'clock.  I  found  Mr.  Bentley  at 
my  house  &  I  returned  in  such  haste,  to  attend  a  funeral,  which  was 
deferred  at  my  request. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  Samuel  Derby  &  wife,  d.  of  Sister  Prebbles 
&  pr,  for  Br.  Jona.  sick,  Margaret  Edey,  d.  of  Mother  Clarke,  M. 
E.  with  her  children.  Eliza.  Clarke  &  her  children,  d.  of  her  mother 
in  law  Clarke. 

4.  My  address  to  Essex  Lodge  out  of  the  press.  Pres.  A.  talks 
like  a  boy  about  the  danger  of  the  institution.  Men  of  sense  who 
ridicule  or  oppose  the  Institution  are  surprised  at  his  simplicity. 
If  he  affects  to  be  afraid,  he  loosens  by  the  pretence  because  indif- 
ferent persons  consider  it  as  a  weakness  &  his  judgment  suffers,  so 
that  he  gets  neither  aid  nor  confidence. 

11.  The  old  spot  on  which  stood  the  Blue  Anchor  Tavern  of  Hol- 
lingsworth  &  was  afterwards  the  place  of  a  well  known  store  &  Cel- 
lar belonging  to  English,  &  afterwards  purchased  by  Capt.  R.  Der- 
by &  sold  by  his  heirs  to  Capt.  Allen,  is  now  disposed  of  for  a  build- 
ing yard  to  Retire  Becket.  The  Derby  street  separates  this  part  of 
the  lot  from  the  upper  Lot  lying  on  English  street. 

15.  News  of  the  loss  of  Capt.  Preston's  Son  &  G.  Son  at  Wood 
Island  off  Saco.  They  were  upon  their  passage  upwards.  This 
Preston  was  a  Baker  &  lived  in  the  S.  part  of  the  Town.  A  wife  & 
6  children  survive  him.    He  was  lost  on  night  before  Christmas. 

17.  Sunday.  Note.  Abigail  Bullock,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband 
sick  abroad.  Mrs.  Hubbard,  a  native  of  Canada,  promised  me  an 
account  of  Lake  3Iemphremagog.  I  drank  tea  with  her,  in  company 
with  the  Spanish  Consul,  Mr.  Stoughton. 

22.  This  day  is  announced  by  the  discharge  of  Cannon  as  the 
birth  day  of  the  Illustrious  Washington.  May  God  send  him 
worthy  successors.  Last  evening  I  was  amused  by  the  dancing  of  a 
little  circle  of  girls.  How  beautiful,  if  this  exercise  were  only  a 
domestic  amusement.  Cannon  were  fired  on  the  Common  &  on 
Union  Wharf  &  at  Beverly.  Several  gentlemen  dined  together  in 
the  public  houses. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  Andrew  Preston  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Son  & 
G.  Son  at  Sea,  pr.  for  only  surviving  Son  at  Sea.  Joshua  Webb  & 
sisters,  d.  of  his  Brother,  pr.  for  Brothers  at  Sea.  Noah  Hobart  & 
wife,  her  delivery.     Capt.  Preston  lost  his  Son  who  has  left  a  wid- 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  297 

ow  &  six  Children,  four  sous.  This  Son  was  returning  with  his 
sou  from  Castine,  Maine,  where  he  was  an  Inspector  in  the  Cus- 
toms of  the  United  States.  He  had  his  Son  with  him  in  a  Coaster 
&  were  lost  at  Wood  Island.  Captain  Preston  has  been  an  uncom- 
mon example  of  suffering  at  Sea.  There  is  scarcely  any  form  of 
danger  which  he  has  not  experienced.  Mr.  Hobart  belongs  to  the 
Old  Church  which  was  shut  from  the  indisposition  of  the  Pastor. 
The  Clergy  have  been  highly  complimented  for  their  attention  to 
the  political  concerns  of  the  County,  on  the  late  festival. 

25.  Mr.  Retire  Becket  has  engaged  three  vessels  in  his  Building 
yard.  A  Keel  piece  was  brought^on  Saturday  of  walnut  measuring 
64  feet.  On  Saturday  sailed  the  Ship  of  Capt.  G.  Crowninshield  & 
Sons,  carrying  2Jf.  guns.  Much  is  said  in  her  praise.*  Capt.  G-. 
Archer  prepared  to  engage  a  french  privateer  but  she  declined. 

26.  Our  gazette  gives  a  pompous  account  of  the  Salem  Cele- 
brations &  their  remarkable  toasts.  We  did  not  hear  much  of  the 
matter. 

March  3.  [1799]  Sunday.  Notes.  Samuel  Vincent  &  wife,  d. 
of  her  Son  abroad,  William  Thompson  set.  23.  Mary  Moore,  sud- 
den d.  of  her  child,  pr.  husband  at  Sea.  Sarah  Patterson,  delivery, 
pr.  husband  at  Sea.     Mary  Millet,  delivery,  pr.  husband  at  Sea. 

4.  Saw  the  Thanksgiving  Sermon  of  Mr.  Abbott  of  Haverhill. 
It  discovers  the  fire  &  imagination  of  youth,  but  it  details  all  the 
American  &  English  abuse  upon  the  Illuminati  with  the  zeal  & 
discretion  of  a  boy. 

7.  Much  snow  on  the  ground.  The  foundations  of  the  build- 
ings on  the  Winter  Island  are  laid  &  20  carpenters  are  at  work.  The 
old  fort  house  «&  barracks  are  cleared  for  the  workmen  on  the 
Frigate. 

8.  Dined  ivith  the  Selectmen,  Overseers  &  Treasurer  as  is  usual 
in  turn  with  the  Clergy  who  officiate  on  the  Annual  March  Meet- 
ing. 

9.  News  from  Capt.  Philips  at  Lisbon,  that  in  a  gale,  among 
others  that  he  lost  the  younger  son  of  William  Pickman  Esqr.  of 
this  Town. 

Sunday.  10.  Notes.  Robert  Smith  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Sister 
Grant,  his  wife  sick.  Wid.  Mehitable  Patterson,  d.  of  her  Sister 
Grant,  3  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Martha  Townsend,  d.  of  her  mother 
Grant.  Anna  Steward,  d.  of  her  Mother  Grant.  Elizabeth 
Daniels,  d.  of  her  mother  Grant,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Hannah  Mal- 
colm, d.  of  her  Sister  Waters  at  Beverly,  pr.  Children  absent. 

11.  It  is  said  they  are  going  fast  into  the  use  of  navigation  in 
Lynn.  It  was  my  turn  to  open  the  Town  Meeting  with  prayer. 
Town  meeting  without  contention. 

12.  The  Town  have  secured  to  the  Inhabitants  the  use  of  the 

•The  ship  America. 


298  DiABY  OF  [  March 

lot3  in  the  Great  pastures  upon  account  of  the  interruptions  on  the 
neck  this  year  from  building  the  frigate  on  Winter  island. 

16.  Dr.  Prince's  Son  returned  to  him  from  Cambridge,  by  sus- 
pention  from  the  University. 

17.  Sunday.  No  Notes.  A  great  body  of  snow  upon  the 
ground.  A  Mr.  t/bna.  Whitaker  lately  settled  at  Sharon,  engaged 
conditionally  to  preach  for  me,  but  went  off.  His  text  after  or- 
dination was  /  am  the  rose  of  Sharon.  Not  true.  He  was  a  son  of 
the  well  known  Dr.  Whitaker  of  this  Town  of  Salem. 

18.  The  Bope  walks  which  are  asked,  or  rather  the  lots  for  them 
on  the  Neck,  leads  to  the  history  of  them  in  this  town.  The  Rope 
walk  on  the  south  side  of  old  paved  street  is  said  to  be  the  cause  of 
its  straitness.  When  Rogers  left  it  it  was  removed  down  below 
Frye's  or  to  Crowninshield's  lot  which  now  is,  running  out  to  Man- 
ning's lot,  on  the  lot  below  Ingersoll's  street  lately  laid  out  from 
Derby  street  to  Neck  gate.  Then  Mr,  Crowninshield  removed  it  to 
Orne's  walk,  as  it  is  now  called,  the  new  road  passing  over  the 
spot  between  Becket  &  English  Street.  Then  Vincent's  was  built 
upon  Hodges'  Lot  eastward  of  the  Common  &  lately  Brigg's,  upon 
Stone's  Lot  N.  W.  from  Vincent's,  &  then  Haradan's  on  Brown 
street,  upon  Derby's  Lot.  There  are  several  outdoor  spinners.  One 
upon  English's  lot  eastward  of  English  street.  Several  on  the  plot 
of  Orne's  ropewalk.  One  between  Turner  &  Becket  street  from 
Derby  street.  And  there  is  a  walk  partly  covered  on  the  East 
side  of  Williams  street.  There  are  spinners  in  the  Duck  factory 
on  Pickering's  hill  &  also  beyond  it.  There  was  but  one  proper 
Rope  walk  in  Town  when  I  came.  Orne's  had  decayed  &  there 
was  no  gang  of  hands  in  it. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Preston,  d.  of  her  youngest  child, 
husb.  absent,  brothers  at  sea.  My  landlord  Capt.  Crowninshield 
sailed. 

25.  A  pleasant  day.  Could  for  the  first  time  be  comfortable 
without  fire.  Several  arrivals  &  salutes.  Some  of  our  vessels 
have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  french. 

26.  A.  Coverly,  Bookseller,  printer,  &c.,  just  appeared  here  & 
vanished  away. 

28.  Our  common  topics  are  the  captures  of  French  vessels.  Ev- 
ery thing  is  done  to  excite  our  joy  upon  these  events,  but  we  re- 
joice with  trembling.  The  news  of  an  Insurrection  in  western  Parts 
of  Pennsylvania  is  much  in  the  fog  &  the  tale  of  the  tub  has  van- 
ished. We  have  the  story  of  Brown,  a  ridiculous  fellow  in  our 
gaol,  for  another  alarm,  &  what  is  more  serious,  the  President  is  to 
call  out  his  additional  24  regiments.  Political  violence  in  party  is 
not  a  proof  of  quiet  possession,  and  this  stir  makes  us  fear  more 
from  the  directed  strength  than  the  progress  of  any  party. 

29.  The  Salem  Gazette  is  loud  and  more  loud.  Philips  declines 
being  Lieut.  Governor.     He  could  not  get  it.     Dane  declines  being 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  299 

Senator,  Party  is  too  strong  against  him  for  his  moderation.  The 
Lynn  Parson  is  upon  the  list,  where  he  probably  is  by  his  own  con- 
sent. And  the  public  are  challenged  at  this  dangerous  crisis,  to 
come  forward  &  elect  him. 

,30.  A  Frenchman  from  a  prize  taken  by  Capt.  Decatur  is  in 
our  gaol.  Wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Marshall,  Col.  S.  Bradford,  in  be- 
half of  Laurance  Simonet  the  french  man  in  gaol. 

31.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Collins  sick,  husband  &  sons  at 
sea.  Mary  Peale,  delivery,  pr.  husband  at  Sea.  I  exchanged  with 
Mr.  Thacher  of  Lynn,  who  went  to  Marblehead,  &  Mr.  Hubbard 
came  to  Salem.  Electioneering  in  Lynn  embarassed  by  a  necessity 
■of  circumstance  to  chuse  as  a  Senator  the  man  whom  they  could 
not  endure  as  their  teacher. 

Apr.  1.  [1799]  Election  of  four  Senators.  The  people  were 
called  together,  &  the  Lists  of  Senators  stood  as  5  to  1  in  the  op- 
position. Treadwell  obtained  as  Salem  Candidate.  It  is  now  evi- 
dent that  elections  do  not  give  us  the  wisest  men.  The  Salem  op- 
position party  is  now  begun  &  in  its  first  efforts  amounts  to  47. 
Mr.  Bigelow's  exhibition  this  day  attracted  notice  &  was  well  at- 
tended. These  dramatic  exhibitions  tend  to  introduce  the  love  of 
the  Theatre  &  to  form  those  manners  which  we  ought  to  detest. 
Master  Kendall  who  opposed  them,  is  now  no  more  in  office.  Op- 
position will  cease.     Our  manners  change  &  our  evils  multiply. 

2.  Capt.  Gardner  came  to  Town.  Relieved  a  wreck  &  saved 
the  Crew.     The  Ship  Yard  begins  to  be  alive  with  Carpenters. 

3.  The  Centinel  notices  the  excentricities  at  Cambridge  at  the 
Elections  of  yesterday.  The  Students  of  the  Universities  huzzaing 
at  the  door,  the  Constables  threatened  with  a  prosecution  for  clear- 
ing the  house.     The  conduct  at  College  is  ridiculous. 

4.  The  national  fast.  A  decent  but  not  crowded  assembly.  I  read 
the  Law  against  swearing  &  cursing,  standing  below  at  the  Com- 
munion table  before  I  entered  the  pulpit  in  the  morning. 

6.  This  day  they  began  to  prepare  the  ground  for  the  Keel  of 
the  Frigate. 

7.  Sunday.  Note.  Nathan  Millet,  d.  Wife  &  Child  in  his  ab- 
sence, pr.  for  absent  friends.  Proposed  at  the  Communiou  to  pur- 
chase two  silver  flagons  price  supposed  to  be  120  dollars.  30  dol- 
lars being  on  hand.  Snow  in  some  of  the  back  streets  of  Salem  & 
on  the  Neck  lies  in  places  3  feet  deep. 

10.  Last  Sunday  night  a  tipling  fellow,  one  Whittemore,  was 
drowned  in  the  pond  above  Frye's  upon  his  return  homeward.  Sev- 
eral instances  of  derangeinent  lately.  The  Alewives  have  begun  to 
return  to  our  waters.  ISIr.  Bowditch  tells  me  that  Cadiz  is  sup- 
posed to  contain  90,000  souls.  That  the  streets  are  narrow  but 
kept  clean.  That  the  Observatory  on  the  Island  three  miles  from 
the  City  is  in  happy  progress.  That  their  Instruments  are  chiefly 
from  England.     Their  Nautical  almanac  is  printed  from  the  Green- 


300  DIARY  OF  [April 

wich  excepting  the  accomodation  merely  to  the  Longitude  of  Cadiz. 
That  the  Spanish  character  is  changing  with  great  rapidity.  At 
Alicant,  which  is  said  to  have  9,000  souls,  which  number  he  doubts, 
everything  has  a  mean  appearance.  He  was  not  able  to  visit  the 
lagoon  a  few  leagues  from  the  City. 

12.  Mr.  Curwin,  aet.  85,  tells  me  that  he  has  left  the  Club  called 
old  Club,*  upon  account  of  his  hearing.  The  present  members  left 
are  Dr.  Holyoke,  Mr.  Roby  &  Hiller,  such  Clergymen  as  occasional- 
ly attend.  I  have  attempted  to  persuade  Mr.  Curwin  to  give  Mr. 
Thacher  of  Milton's  portrait  to  Dr.  Thacher  of  Boston,  &  of  his  an- 
cestors to  the  Historical  Society. 

13.  The  Centinel  entertains  us  with  the  zeal  of  the  students  of 
Cambridge  to  resent  their  being  excluded  from  the  Town  meeting 
by  breaking  the  windows  of  the  last  representative.  He  confesses 
this  last  measure  not  federal.  I  rode  to  see  Spring  pond,  to  visit 
the  Spring  &  the  fountain  of  the  Aqueduct.  It  stands  on  a  line 
with  the  Stone  wall,  the  first  wall  after  having  passed  the  rising 
ground  left  of  the  road  after  crossing  the  brook  called  Butt's  Brook. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  Robert  Richardson  &  wife,  d.  of  his  only 
child  Collins,  pr.  for  Son  in  law  Collins  at  Sea.  John  Collins  & 
wife,  d.  of  their  sister,  pr.  for  Son  &  brother  at  Sea.  Sarah  Hill,  d. 
of  Sister-in-Law  Collins,  pr.  for  friend  at  Sea.  Samuel  Archer  & 
wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  friend  at  sea. 

16.  Remarks  upon  the  length  of  winter.  18  weeks  the  Mail 
sleigh  successively  passed  through  Keene,  N.  H.  &  ice  now  lays  in 
the  paved  street  of  this  Town.  In  the  fields  the  snow  is  yet  several 
feet  deep  in  vallies. 

17.  Attended  the  Vendue  of  Books  at  which  little  regard  was 
shewn  to  fair  play.  Bidders  without  &  within  known  to  have  con- 
nection with  the  Owners  made  all  the  Books  in  the  afternoon  pass 
to  the  account  of  one  man.  The  Sales  were  managed  disgracefully. 
There  were  few  persons  of  common  education  who  attended.  Only 
such  as  might  be  easily  gulled. 

18.  Mr.  Jonathan  Derby  buried  this  day.  A  large  Collection  of 
Gentlemen.  The  Father  of  Jona.  Derby,  Hon.  Richard  Derby  Esqr, 
died  in  1780,  aet.  43  ?  Judge  Trowbridge,  alias  Goffe,  was  very 
much  attached  to  him. 

19.  This  day  after  one  o'clock,  died  Elizabeth  Derby,  set.  64, 
wife  of  E.  H.  Derby  Esqr,  Merchant  in  this  Town.  She  was  a 
Crowninshield.  A  Woman  who  felt  &  enjoyed  all  the  pride  of  great 
wealth,  with  an  understanding  not  distinguished  &  poorly  cultiva- 
ted, but  a  woman  who  took  the  greatest  pride  in  being  known  as  a 
Charitable  woman,  as  she  was  indeed  to  the  poor  in  general,  but  con- 
stantly so  to  all  her  poor  &  dependent  kindred.  It  was  at  her  in- 
stigation the  Elegant  Mansion  house  was  built  where  Col.  Browne's 
stood,  but  she  did  not  live  long  to  enjoy  it.     All  have  anecdotes  of 

•Old  Fire  Club. 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEV,   D.  D.  801 

her  folly  &  vanity,  but  all  reverence  her  charity  &  kind  disposi- 
tions, i  spent  part  of  the  afternoon  with  Mr.  Pulling,  late  Master 
of  Essex  Lodge.  He  is  totally  ruined  by  his  paralytic  atfections  & 
cannot  be  expected  long  in  so  miserable  an  existance.  Examples  of 
greater  debility  are  rare. 

20.  Dined  with  ^Mr.  Dane  at  Beverly.  Present,  Brown  &  Thorn- 
dike,  ^Merchants,  lievd.  McKeen,  Fisher  »&  Whitney,  Physicians, 
Mr.  Perkins  of  the  Law,  Salem,  &  Mr.  Reed.  The  conversation  was 
mixed  at  the  Table,  but  Politics  for  the  desert.  Chiefly  to  inspire 
prejudices  against  the  french.  Mr.  Dane  is  able  to  manage  such 
conversation. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Ropes,  d.  of  Mother  in  Law  Ropes, 
pr.  for  husband  very  long  absent,  her  son  &  friends  at  Sea.  Sam. 
Derby  &  wife,  d.  of  Brother  Jonathan,  pr.  for  Brother  at  Sea.  Mary 
Brown,  d.  of  her  only  daughter,  pr.  for  husband  &  Son  at  Sea.  Mr. 
Derby's  death  affects  the  public  mind  sensibly.  Preached  on  the 
occasion.  In  the  evening  service  took  notice  of  the  ^first  Salem  Cov- 
enant &  made  such  remarks  as  agreed  with  my  sentiments  upon  it. 
I  can  find  no  traces  of  the  logical  inquiries  in  it  or  of  a  plan. 

23.  Mrs.  Derby's  funeral  was  attended  with  great  Ceremony. 
The  number  of  Spectators  was  very  great  &  the  procession  unusual. 
The  Crowninshield  family  would  not  attend  in  consequence  of  a  dis- 
affection of  long  standing.  Attended  \h&  funeral  of  one  of  the  french 
j)risojiers  from  the  Charity  House.  We  had  this  evening  agreable 
news  from  all  oiw  absent  and  missing  friends.  Capt.  Buttolph  Ward 
was  saved  with  his  Crew  from  the  wreck  and  the  northern  ships 
were  found  frozen  up  in  their  ports. 

24.  This  day  there  was  a  snowstorm  &  the  earth  is  completely 
covered  with  snow  in  all  the  appearance  of  winter. 

25.  Public  Fast  of  the  United  States  by  President  Adams.  The 
Service  was  more  decently  attended  than  usually  &  Mr.  Alden 
preached  in  the  evening  service.  After  service  I  rode  to  Marble- 
head  to  attend  the  funeral  of  the  widow  of  Col.  Azor  Orue.  I  met 
the  Clergy  at  Story's  &  after  Tea  returned.  For  the  first  time  the 
Gate  of  the  Neck  in  Salem  was  locked  to  prevent  Chaises  from  pass- 
ing in  Service  time,  but  the  lock  was  broken.  Col.  Orne's  Tomb  has 
been  built  since  his  decease,  in  the  back  part  of  the  Town  of  Mar- 
blehead  &  the  body  removed  into  it.  This  is  the  first  Tomb  in  the 
new  ground.  News  of  the  death  of  the  Reverend  John  Cleveland, 
set.  77,  of  Chebacco,  Ipswich.  He  was  the  eldest  minister  in  the 
County  of  Essex.     Died  Monday,  22  April. 

28.  Sunday.  A  Lock  having  been  put  upon  the  Neck  gate,  Salem, 
it  was  broken  by  one  Mann,  a  builder  at  Frye's  Mills.  An  action 
for  trespass  was  commenced  at  Esqr.  Ward's  &  Mann  was  cast.  He 
has  appealed  to  the  Court  of  Sessions.  Notes.  Mary  Elkins,  d.  of 
her  Sister  Derby.  Edward  Gibaut  &  family,  d.  or  his  Sister  in  Law 
Derby,  pr.  friends  at  Sea.     John  Hill  &  wife,  her  delivery,  Br.  Hill 


302  DIARY  OF  [May- 

long  absent,  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Mr.  Browne  my  warden  tells  me 
that  his  g.  Mother  lived  till  92  years  of  age.  Of  his  Aunts,  four 
lived,  one  to  98,  one  to  95,  one  88,  one  86  &  his  Mother  81. 

30.  Mr.  Retire  Becket  launched  a  vessel  for  Mr.  Derby  this  day 
but  hardly  escaped  from  doing  the  greatest  injury  by  his  indiscre- 
tion. She  fell  upon  the  wharf  &  slid  off,  only  beating  off  her  Cut- 
water, This  was  repaired  &  she  floated  in  the  evening.  This  man 
is  a  good  workman  but  a  careless  man  in  launching  his  vessels. 

May  5.  [1799]  Sunday.  Notes.  Elizabeth  Archer,  delivery,  Hus- 
band at  Sea.  Sarah  Knapp,  Child  sick,  Husb.  at  Sea.  The  pro- 
posed ^a^^ows  mentioned  ag.  at  the  Communion.  News  that  my  first 
Fast  Sermon  smelt  of  Jacobinism.  This  is  the  first  time  that  ever 
I  heard  of  it,  after  it  had  been  the  subject  of  conversation,  &  some 
pretended  to  have  been  offended  at  it.  The  last  healed  the  wound, 
as  nothing  has  been  said  about  it  since. 

7.  Last  night  a  House  of  one  Parsons  was  broken  open  at  the 
head  of  Brooks  wharf.  The  thief  robbed  the  Bed  Chamber.  Day 
of  Military  parade,  of  which  there  is  hardly  the  form  «&  why  should 
there  be  when  there  is  so  much  done  for  a  standing  army.  The  Ar- 
tillery in  their  uniform  marched  over  the  Common,  returned.  There 
were  few  if  any  Commission  Officers  in  the  Militia. 

8.  On  Monday  I  attended  the  funeral  of  Jude,  an  African  wom- 
an. As  neither  the  Sexton  nor  the  priest  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
were  ready,  the  office  of  prayers  fell  to  me.  She  has  been  long  cel- 
ebrated at  Twisse's  as  a  ForUme  teller  &  in  this  age  of  illuminatism 
has  had  ample  encouragement.  A  proof  of  the  progress  of  know- 
ledge. Dr.  Morse  is  as  lucky  as  Jude  for  he  has  found  out  illumin- 
atism in  everything,  &  has  promised  to  expose  a  Lodge  of  Emigrants. 
He  unblushingly  declares  his  discovery  but  I  have  only  seen  his 
hearsay  in  the  Mercury,  which  was  promised  in  the  Centinel  but 
seized  by  this  publisher. 

9.  News  from  New  York  that  John  Saunders,  who  left  this  Town, 
has  failed  in  that  City.  His  affairs  were  not  most  happy  when  he 
left  this  quarter. 

11.  The  Alewives  bring  in  the  FisJi.  I  saw  60  Haddock  caught 
within  a  few  hours  by  a  small  boat  from  the  fort  with  two  men. 

12.  Sunday.  This  morning  we  had  a  flight  of  snow  in  all  th& 
forms  of  winter,  large,  driving,  steady.  Notes.  Abigail  Bullock, 
sick,  «&  pr.  for  Husband  sick  in  England.  There  has  actually  been 
raised  a  Baptist  Meeting  House  in  the  lower  parish  of  Beverly  not 
far  from  the  Parish  Meeting  House.  In  the  subscription  it  is  pro- 
posed,— We  being  desirous  to  have  the  gospel  preached. 

13.  Capt.  John  Gibaut  invited  me  to  go  with  him  upon  a  visit 
to  his  Farm  &  mills  in  Cape  Ayin  Island.  We  found  the  road 
through  Cape  Ann  woods  much  assisted  by  the  new  road  but  there 
remains  1  &  1/2  mile  yet  unfinished  to  remind  the  traveller  what 
that  road  once  was  &  has  lately  been.     We  were  told  that  300  dol- 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  303 

lars  had  been  appropriated  by  the  Town  to  finish  the  work,  as  the 
three  Classes  of  the  Lottery  were  incompetent.  We  reached  the 
Harbour  or  Town,  at  one  o'clock  &  passed,  after  a  few  compli- 
ments, to  Old  Town,  where  was  the  Farm  we  were  to  visit.  The 
river  which  empties  into  Squam  River,  on  the  west  side  of  that  riv- 
er, meets  about  1/2  mile  below  the  mills  from  whence  it  has  a 
southerly  course  beautifully  meandering,  when  the  tide  is  full, 
through  open  ground,  &  sloping  hills,  which  are  a  strange  contrast 
to  the  broken  ground,  and  towering  rock  around.  There  is  a  good 
view  from  the  rising  ground  opposite  to  the  Farm  House  at  the 
Mills  but  a  better  view  1/2  mile  upward  from  the  bald  rock  of 
Fool^s  Hill  which  gives  a  view  of  Boston  &  Ipswich  Bay  «&  of  the 
adjacent  country.  The  Mill  pond  communicates  with  Cape  Ann 
pond  about  three  miles  distant  &  the  tide  flows  as  far  as  the  Fresh 
Water  mills,  one  mile  upwards  or  S.  where  the  fresh  streams  turn 
eastward.  The  mills  have  been  thoroughly  repaired  &  a  large  store 
is  finished  upon  the  west  side  upon  a  Cobb  wharf  joining  to  the 
Mill  Dam.  As  the  river  runs  toward  the  Town  there  is  a  beautiful 
view  up  the  river  of  the  Spires  &  houses  as  we  approach  the  Town. 
After  dinner  with  Capt.  Smith's  lovely  family,  who  is  upon  the 
farm,  &  in  company  with  Gibaut,  we  prepared  for  sailing  down 
Squam  river.  As  the  tide  was  low  we  walked  down  to  the  point 
below  the  mills  where  Squam  river  meets  the  Mill  river.  At  this 
point  we  found  the  remains  of  Col.  Low's  wharf  which,  at  an  early 
period,  was  a  place  of  considerable  business,  &  there  is  an  unusual 
depth  of  water.  Round  the  point  at  Gee's  wharf  in  Squam  river,  6 
fathoms  may  be  found  at  low  water.  There  is  a  road  from  the 
Town  to  this  point  but  from  the  change  of  the  place  of  business 
from  the  Upper  Town,  as  it  is  called,  to  the  Harbour,  so  called,  it 
is  neglected.  In  Squam  river  lay  four  islands.  The  largest  are 
furthest  up  the  River.  They  are  small.  Pierce's  &  Rhust's  are  well 
known.  In  Squam  Harbour  a  Cape  runs  inland  at  the  head  of 
which  stands  the  Meeting  House.  Not  in  very  good  repair  but  bet- 
ter than  at  Sandy  Bay.  It  is  of  two  stories,  not  highj  small  &  fin- 
ished in  the  plainest  manner.  We  saw  the  wharf  at  the  point 
built  by  Capt.  Haraden,  now  of  Salem.  Baker's  Orchard,  west  of 
the  Town,  was  said  to  be  as  large  as  any  upon  the  Island,  &  it  made 
a  good  appearance  in  this  singular  situation.  Opposite  to  Squam 
was  the  well  known  Sand  Beach,  which  supplies  all  the  shore  with 
sand  for  the  use  of  families  from  Boston  to  Portsmouth.  It  is  best 
nearest  the  rocks,  or  upon  the  most  easterly  part  or  N.  E.  We  then 
having  passed  Lobster  &  Goose  coves,  to  Squam  Cove,  came  in  view 
of  the  Bar  Rocks  which  lay  near  to  Squam  Bar  &  which  trends  to- 
wards Wigwam  Point,  on  which  we  found  a  Beacon,  upon  which  is 
hoisted  in  foul  weather  a  Lantern  to  aid  the  Fishermen  in  passing 
the  Bar.  The  Lobster  Rocks  go  to  the  Channel  and  they  enter  by 
bringing  the  Bald  Rock  between  the  bar  and  two  sharp  rocks  on  the 


part  01  ipswicn.  xney  periorare  a  large  scone  cc  raise  a  tre 
its  roots  &  stripped  of  its  branches,  &  then  slide  the  stoue  o 
stock  of  the  tree  upon  the  root.  The  root  prevents  the  ston* 
a  seperation  &  this  is  carried  &  sunk  in  a  convenient  place  t 
remaining  like  a  post  above  water.  The  fish  houses  are  at  tl 
of  these  coves,  &  from  the  number  of  sunken  trees  we  may 
ascertain  the  number  of  boats  in  the  Cove.  About  300  is  th^ 
ber  for  the  whole  Island,  half  of  which  belong  to  the  part 
Sandy  Bay.  From  Wigwam  point  we  passed  to  Neck  point, 
affords  two  coves,  that  on  the  west  side  being  called  Neck  ( 
that  on  the  east  side,  Hodgkin's  Cove  &  is  considerable.  W 
opened  Plum  Cove  &  afterwards  Lane's  Cove  &  after  having 
an  Head  called  Gallop's  folly,  we  opened  Gallop's  folly  Cove 
next  point  is  the  extreme  of  the  Cape  called  Halibut  poin1 
then  put  out  into  the  bay  among  the  wherries  which  are  sm; 
bottom  boats  »&  are  as  numerous  as  the  Jebacco  Boats,  &  wl 
good  weather  make  two  fares  a  day  &  sometimes  take  as  m 
five  hundred  Cod  &  Haddock.  They  are  rowed  cross  handled 
man  &  even  by  boys  of  10  &  12  years.  We  succeeded  in  fisl 
for  the  first  time  I  caught  several  haddock,  but  the  wind  br( 
I  was  soon  too  sick  to  persevere.  We  returned  at  Sun  down 
Mills  &  after  Tea  had  more  sport  at  the  Mill  tail.  The  eeh 
down  in  abundance,  &  the  alewives  striving  to  ascend 
tossed  back  by  the  water,  great  numbers  were  easily  takei 
scoop  net  without  any  labour  but  of  dipping  it  into  the  strea 
is  but  lately  the  alewives  have  been  led  into  this  course,  i. 
few  of  them  pass  the  freshwater  mills  above  the  mil 
Pond.  There  has  been  a  vexing  Lawsuit  upon  th( 
ject  a  few  years  since  upon  account  of  the  refusal  c 
privilege  &  the  Claims  of  the  Mills  being  supported,  the  To\ 
hitherto  neglected  to  purchase  the  privilege.  The  grant 
mills  was  made  to  a  former  minister,  one  Emerson,  &  all  t 
habitants,  except  a  few  on  Jebacco  side,  bound  themselves  t 
their  grain  to  this  grist  mill.  The  exempts  were  better  acco 
ed  at  a  nearer  place.  From  the  conversation  we  might  expe< 
the  Town  would  soon  see  their  true  interest  &  purchase  the  r 
a  passage  to  these  fish  so  important  in  our  fishery.  These  al 
not  only  draw  in  the  large  fish,  but  2000  dollars  are  suppoj 
tually  to  be  expended  in  Cape  Ann  for  Alewives  as  bait  fr( 
baco  &  other  Towns. 

14.  In  the  morning  we  prepared  to  take  the  Tour  of  the 
Capt.  Smith  took  a  Mr.  Phelps,  an  Apothecary,  in  a  Chaise,  t 
Gibaut  &  I  rode  together  in  another.  We  stopped  in  the  H 
to  be  shaved  by  a  woman  named  Becky  who  in  due  form    ex 


1799]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  305 

all  the  functions  of  a  Barber.  She  has  her  shop  decorated  with  all 
the  pictures  which  belong  to  such  places  of  resort,  from  the  meanest 
Black  print  to  the  best  engraving,  with  all  the  songs  which  are  in  the 
taste  of  the  varied  multitude  of  her  customers.  It  was  a  solitary 
example  of  a  woman  in  tliis  employment.  She  shaves  well  but  has 
few  attractions  of  her  sex.  As  soon  as  we  left  the  Town  we  had  a 
view  on  the  right  of  Salt  Island  so  memorable  by  the 
fate  of  our  mariners.  It  lies  at  a  Small  distance  from  the  shore, 
has  a  sand  beach  within  it  &  is  almost  a  bald  rock  of  considerable 
elevation.  The  roughness  of  the  road  is  much  less  than  formerly 
&  at  present  not  to  be  compared  with  Squam  side.  We  passed  Col. 
Foster  &  his  Son  at  work  in  the  field  about  2  miles  from  Sandy  Bay. 
Their  farm  is  a  welcome  object  amongst  the  greatest  rudeness  of 
nature.  Opposite  to  the  pond  we  stopped  in  the  Road  «&  passed  to 
the  right  to  view  it.  We  ascended  a  bald  rock  on  the  western  side 
not  far  from  the  northern  end  of  the  pond,  about  40  feet  elevation, 
&  here  we  saw  the  form  of  it.  It  rather  exceeds  half  a  mile  in 
length.  It  lies  about  a  mile  in  line  from  Streightsmouth,  &  not  so 
much  from  the  Eastern  Shore  of  the  Island.  We  could  see  no 
places  to  take  bearings  on  the  Eastern  shore  as  the  Islands  were 
hidden.  It  lies  in  length  nearly  north  &  south.  Its  form  is  not 
very  winding  upon  the  eastern  side  except  a  little  at  the  south  end, 
at  which  it  is  narrowest.  It  then  trends  S.  W.  unequally  till  it  goes 
westerly  to  the  outlet  which  is  about  1/3  of  its  length  from  the  S.  end 
on  the  western  side.  It  then  remains  of  its  greatest  width  for  some 
distance  till  it  becomes  more  narrow  at  the  northern  end.  Its 
greatest  depth  is  said  to  be  on  the  N.  E.  side  opposite  to  the  high 
rock  on  its  W.  side  from  where  we  viewed  it,  reckoned  at  30  feet. 
It  has  the  Pickerel  &  perch  in  great  abundance  &  is  a  pleasant 
body  of  water.  The  land  about  it  is  high  excepting  a  meadow  at 
the  north  end,  &  down  this  the  vallies  open  as  far  as  Streightmouth 
which  is  seen  in  this  opening.  We  passed  from  the  pond  to  Sandy 
Bay,  which,  tho'  it  has  a  scattered  appearance  while  in  the  Settle- 
ment, has  from  several  heights  a  very  pleasing  form  from  the 
neighbouring  heights.  We  stopped  in  the  upper  part  of  the  settle- 
ment at  Mr.  Rollins,  a  Trader,  who  was  absent  upon  business.  But 
from  his  wife  we  had  every  attention  and  a  most  excellent  fish  din- 
ner. We  here  saw  neatness  &  simplicity.  Her  husband  is  a  car- 
penter &  has  built  many  houses  in  the  place  &  is  in  flourishing  cir- 
cumstances. From  this  house  we  passed  to  view  the  settlement 
stretched  along  upon  several  coves  &  this  place  has  half  the  num- 
ber of  Boats  upon  the  whole  Island.  It  had  no  houses  which  ex- 
pressed the  wealth  of  Cape  Ann  To^^^l,  but  it  had  none  of  the 
marks  of  poverty  which  many  houses  in  that  place  display.  The 
Houses  are  small  &  of  two  stories  &  generally  painted.  The  Doors 
are  commonly  on  the  side  so  as  to  afford  a  good  front  room  &  back 
kitchen,  with  a  bed  room  back  of  the  front  entry.  Some  are  double. 


306  DIARY  OF  [May 

The  School  house  was  neat.  The  Door  was  at  the  Eastern  end  but 
there  was  a  partition  between  the  Doors  in  the  same  frame  to  keep 
the  stairs  leading  above  seperated  from  the  room  below.  There  are 
two  windows  on  a  side.  The  roof  hipped  with  a  Belfrey.  The 
House  painted  green  &  roof  red.  The  Meeting  House  is  small  & 
the  body  filled  with  seats,  much  neglected,  roof  rotten  &  open, 
standing  near  the  shore  below  the  School  House.  Formerly  there 
were  ministers  in  all  the  parishes  but  at  present  there  is  but  one  in 
the  Island,  the  Revd.  E.  W.  Forbes,  in  the  Harbour  or  Town,  so 
called.  Mr.  Rogers  was  formerly  in  the  Upper  Town  &  the  meet- 
ing house  is  decorated  with  an  handsome  steeple  but  it  is  going 
rapidly  to  decay,  having  been  long  neglected.  A  Mr.  Wythe  &  Par- 
sons were  at  Squam,  but  a  seperation  ensued  from  their  impru- 
dence. They  are  both  living.  At  Sandy  Bay  was  a  Mr.  Cleveland, 
still  living,  who  has  repeatedly  preached  among  them.  Some  from 
these  parishes,  visit  the  small  house  for  the  Universalists  in  the 
harbour,  but  this  Society  has  no  stated  minister  since  Mr.  Murray 
removed  to  Boston.  As  we  pass  in  Sandy  Bay  down  towards 
Streiffhtsmouth,  the  Light  Houses  on  Thacher's  Island  open  on  the 
road  before  us,  &  as  we  went  towards  Streightsmouth  were  in  full 
view.  The  longest  side  of  Streightsmouth  Island  is  open  towards 
Sandy  Bay,  the  E.  part  running  outwards  from  shore.  The  Streight 
is  narrow  &  has  not  much  water  at  low  tide  &  is  winding.  A  Bluff 
head  terminates  the  N.  end  of  the  Island  near  the  shore  under 
which  is  a  little  soil  to  be  seen.  There  is  a  beach  upon  the  shore 
within  the  streight  &  on  the  shore  a  Bluff  opposite  to  the  bluff  on 
the  Island.  Upon  our  return  we  observed  the  very  decent  appear- 
ance of  the  women  &  children,  which  have  good  forms  &  most  florid 
countenances  united  with  an  uncommon  cleanliness  in  their  dress. 
At  Rollins'  are  found  some  infant  specimens  of  Taste.  Some  mon- 
umental drawings  in  memory  of  some  deceased  Children,  done  by 
one  Saville,  a  Schoolmaster,  with  such  inscriptions  as  are  adapted 
to  the  heart  of  a  parent,  &  are  the  best  tribute  to  the  memory  of 
the  good  we  love.  After  dinner  we  took  our  departure  for  Squam. 
We  nowhere  saw  Halibut  j)oint  from  Sandy  Bay,  as  it  was  covered 
by  Anderson's  point.  As  we  proceeded  along  Pigeon  Cove  we  had 
a  miserable  road,  but  before  we  reached  it  we  had  a  pleasing  view 
of  Pidgeon  Hill.  A  few  Trees  on  the  top  yet  remain,  but  the  gen- 
tle rising  &  the  central  figure  of  the  Hill,  as  well  as  the  verdure 
everywhere  on  its  sides,  was  a  contrast  to  the  rude  forms  of  rocks 
&  declivities  which  everywhere  else  appear.  The  Salvages  lay  off 
before  us  &  the  three  white  rocks  on  the  eastern  group  which  lay 
before  us  are  coloured  by  their  daily  visitants,  the  Birds,  to  warn 
the  Mariners  of  their  danger.  The  Mariners  speak  of  applying  to 
to  the  .Marine  Societies  of  the  neighbourhood  to  assist  them  in  rais- 
ing a  Monument  upon  Pidgeon  hill,  as  the  Trees  are  decaying  con- 
tinually.    Upon  this  road  we  saw  several  neat  Houses,  &  two  neat 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  307 

School  Houses  of  one  Story,  well  painted.  Halibut  Point  nowhere 
presented  to  the  eye  as  we  passed  in  the  road.  We  found  it  a  pile 
of  rocks,  split  into  flat  stones  of  all  dimentions.  They  seem  to  in- 
vite for  every  use.  But  they  can  seldom  be  taken  from  the  shore 
on  account  of  the  swell,  &  the  roads  are  too  rough  to  admit  their 
removal.  Gallop's  Folly  point  beyond  has  the  same  kind  of  stones 
but  not  in  the  same  preparation  for  use  &  split  so  regularly.  At 
Gallop's  Folly  we  found  much  loose  sand  in  the  hills  which  we  had 
opportunity  to  examine  as  we  stopped  just  beyond  Mr.  Gott's  who 
has  a  good  Farm  which  has  profited  from  this  sand,  which  has  been 
strewed  upon  his  meadows.  This  Man  is  an  Outre.  He  was  for- 
merly employed  in  a  Coasting  Vessel  but  at  present  is  seperated  from 
his  wife  &  only  Child.  He  discovered  to  us  the  most  hospitable 
temper,  but  there  is  a  derangement  of  mind,  rather  than  a  corrup- 
tion of  heart.  He  shewed  us  his  farm.  He  has  helped  his  Sandy 
plains  &  hills,  by  the  Locust.  He  has  planted  the  Sassifras  &  has 
a  good  Orchard.  He  showed  us  his  woods  in  which  he  has  the 
best  oak  timber  on  the  Island,  some  of  which  he  is  cutting  for  Ship 
Timber.  He  has  several  nurseries  of  trees.  He  talks  of  a  Ship 
yard  &  he  has  many  conveniences  on  the  shore.  In  a  mile  from 
Gott's  we  reached  Squam.  This  has  a  scattered  &  poor  appearance. 
It  once  was  much  more  prosperous  than  Sandy  Bay  but  is  now  far 
surpassed  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Sandy  Bay,  yet,  should  the  fisher- 
ies again  revive,  we  may  hope  will  again  enter  into  competition 
with  its  neighbours.  The  road  from  Squam  to  Upper  Town  mills, 
over  the  two  Squam  hills,  was  in  a  very  neglected  State  &  by  far 
the  worst  of  any  we  found  upon  the  Island.  It  is  so  easy  to  pass 
up  the  river  &  the  distance  is  so  much  less  that  men  always  in 
their  boats  never  think  of  stretching  3  miles  over  the  worst  roads, 
when  they  can  sail  pleasantly  only  one  mile.  Before  Sundown  we 
reached  our  home  at  the  Mills  having  completed  what  is  called  the 
Tour  of  the  Cape  in  the  distance  of  15  miles  as  it  is  reckoned.  At 
leisure  examined  the  Tide  Mill,  &  found  few  improvements  in  the 
construction.  The  water  wheel  is  upon  the  new  plan  of  side 
boards  &  flats  instead  of  the  old  floats  tunnelled  upon  shafts.  The 
rounds  in  the  Lantern  were  short  &  not  large  enough.  The  Lantern 
was  large  enough.  The  Shoot  was  open  &  the  clack  was  by  iron 
claps  on  wood  instead  of  open  iron,  &  the  spout  was  short  & 
trough  narrow.  At  the  mills  they  have  frequently  caught  a  fish 
which  they  have  not  preserved  but  which  the  Sailors  thought  like 
the  Skip  jack  tho'  smaller.  I  have  asked  to  see  one  when  taken  in 
Autumn. 

15.  This  day  we  agreed  to  visit  in  the  Town  &  to  dine  with 
our  Companion  Mr.  Phelps.  We  reached  the  Harbour  at  11  o'clock. 
Our  first  visit  was  to  the  New  Ship  Yard.  They  have  never  yet 
built  ships  of  great  Burden.  The  first  attempt  by  Col.  Pierce  en- 
gaged much  of  the  public  attention.     On  every  road  we  heard  of 


308  DIARY  OF  [May 

the  enterprise  &  every  man  knew  how  much  timber  he  could  spare. 
The  first  ship  heads  76  feet,  27  feet  beam  &  12  feet  hold  within  the 
timbers,  to  be  about  three  hundred  Tons.     She  is  up  in  her  frames 
already.     As  much  talk  has  been  made  of  Dock  Yards.     Cape  Ann 
think  they  can  afford  a  convenient  one  in  a  Cove  at  the  head  of 
their  Harbour,  within  5  pound  island.     Their  claims  are  not  the 
meanest  which  will  be  advanced.     20  feet  of  water  can  easily  be 
had.     The  Cove  is  large  enough  and  the  entrance  small  &  the  posi- 
tion of  the  Cape  is  the  best  in  our  Bay,  to  be  ready  for  Sea.     Near 
the  Cove  is  a  perpehial  spring  which  is  conveyed  in  a  wooden  spout 
so  as  readily  to  afford  any  quantity  of  the  purest  water.     A  con- 
stant stream  fills  the  spout  &  wastes  into  the  Sea.     There  are  two 
Rope  walks  in  the  Town.     One  in  Middle  street,  not  far  eastward 
of  the  Meeting  House,  belonging  to  Beach,  &  another  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  Town,  formerly  Seargeant's  now  Plummer's.     From  the 
Ships  we    went  to  the  Bank.     It  is  a  building    in    Front   Street, 
of   one   Story.      We   descended   into  the  vault  which   is  formed 
of  the  largest  stone  which  can  be  easily  transported  &  it  is  formed 
in  the  cavity  of  a  rock.     It  is  small  but  more  secure  everywhere 
than  at  the  door.     The  back  room  of  the  Bank  is  a  Lawyer's  office 
and  it  is  kept  by  Mr.  John  Rowe,  their  present  Representative. 
Towards  the  entrance  of  the  Town  is  the  Neiv  School  house,  of  two 
apartments,  one  on  each  story,  with  a  Cupola.     And  behind  the 
Meeting  House  is  the  Proprietor's  School  which  has  two  fronts  & 
has  also  a  Cupola  &  two  Doors  under   the   same  frame.     A  Mr. 
Black,  now  in  Gloucester,  proposes  to  open  an  Academy  &  to  unite 
his  labours  with  two  young  gentlemen  who  are  to  teach  writing  & 
arithmetic,  Messieurs.  Saville  &  Woods.     It  is  said  that  Mr.  Black 
has  engaged  the  School,  but  that  the  plan  of  an  Academy  will  not 
probably  succeed.     As  we  passed  along  we  found  the  Minister  di- 
recting the  plowing  of  a  spot  of  land  adjoining  to  an  house  left  him 
by  an  antiquated  Irish  midwife,  who  died  in  the  Town.     We  visit- 
ed Mr.  D.  Rogers,  who  has  long  been  a   man  of   influence  in  the 
Town,  &  paid  our  respects   to  his  Son   John  Gorham   Rogers,  a 
worthy  gentleman.     At  Table,  at  Mr.  Phelps',  we  found  his  Wife's 
Sister.     They  are  g.  daughters  of  Mr.  Coffin,  whose  farm  is  so  well 
known  opposite  to  the  entrance  of  Jebacco,  &  who  had  lately  de- 
ceased.     Mrs.    Phelps  is  a  worthy    and  agreable    woman  &  soon 
ioxva.Qdi2i  party  for  us  to  go  to  Eastern  jjoint.    Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Phelps, 
&  their  wives,  Mr.  Fulger's  wife,  Capt.  Gibaut  &  Mrs.  Coffin  &  my- 
self &  Clementina  Beach,  made  the  party.     Mrs.  Fulger  is  sister  of 
Miss  Beach,  both  fine  women.     Clementina  is  a  young  lady  of  ac- 
complishments.    We  enjoyed  ourselves  and  returned  to  tea  at  Mr. 
Phelps'.     In  Cape  Ann  they  tell  us  that  Hog  Islayid  in  Jebacco,  of- 
fers the  best   Veal  in  the  Country,  &  that  their  own  Springy  tho' 
Rocky  Hills  afford  the  best  tyiutton  in  America. 

16.     We  had  engaged  this  day  to  dine  with  Mr.  Fulger.     In  our 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  309 

visit  to  the  Town  we  had  au  opportunity  to  be  informed  of  the 
great  increase  of  new  houses.  As  Squam  &  Upper  Town  have  de- 
cayed, the  Harbour  has  been  enriched.  The  military  Character  of 
Cape  Ann  is  established.  On  a  point  of  land,  they  can  afford  to 
employ  the  greatest  hospitality  towards  all  who  visit  them,  and 
forming  all  their  pleasures  among  themselves,  they  must  be  fond  of 
all  social  institutions.  They  excell  in  their  parties,  in  their  clubs, 
&  also  in  their  Military  parades.  A  late  proof  has  been  given. 
Their  Artillery  House  is  beyond  example  in  the  Country.  It  is  of 
two  Stories.  In  the  lower  there  is  all  the  Arrangement  of  an  Ar- 
senal or  a  Laboratory.  Their  own  Two  Brass  field  pieces,  &  Two 
Iron  9  pounds,  with  all  the  apparatus  are  disposed  in  the  best 
order.  In  front  is  a  piazza  &  the  building  has  folding  doors  which 
open  under  it  &  form  a  full  communication  with  it.  Over  the  Pi- 
azza is  a  balustrade  &  place  to  accommodate  a  large  company  & 
the  apartment  of  the  second  story  is  provided  for  an  hall  of  enter- 
tainment. In  front  is  suspended  a  Bell  given  to  call  them  to  din- 
ner. It  has  this  inscription:  Ansottes  segeu  ist  alles  gelocheben. 
It  is  friendship  which  gave  the  bell  independently  of  its  being  cast 
in  Denmark,  or  so  inscribed.  At  Dinner  we  had  the  Company  of 
Mr.  Black  who  is  a  Scotchman  of  great  pretentions,  as  was  said, 
but  nothing  could  be  ascertained  except  that  he  had  the  education 
of  many  travelling  Scotchmen.  After  dinner  Mr.  Fulger  permitted 
me  to  examine  a  Collection  of  shells  &  was  kind  enough  to  present 
some  of  them  to  me.  We  left  his  amiable  family  at  five  o'clock  & 
reached  Salem  at  eight  in  the  evening,  abundantly  gratified  with 
our  company  &  amply  paid  for  our  visit  to  Cape  Ann.  How  un- 
happy it  is  that  an  air  of  dissipation  should  appear  in  so  lovely  a 
place  in  which  they  could  give  to  themselves  any  manners  they 
please  without  any  danger  of  contamination  from  foreign  influence 
&  fashions.  I  gave  ab  Table,  being  requested,  "The  hospitality  of 
Cape  Ann,  may  it  be  preserved  in  our  National  Character."  In  no 
place  which  I  have  ever  visited  can  they  so  easily  combine  for  any 
social  pleasure,  in  no  place  can  they  pursue  pleasure  with  so  little 
interruption  and  yet  they  have  all  the  jealousies,  competitions,  & 
even  enmities,  belonging  to  little  Towns  &  to  human  Nature. 

17.  Mr.  Rogers  told  us  at  Cape  Ann  that  Mr.  Cleveland,  not 
being  able  to  obtain  readily  clerical  assistance  at  his  ordination  at 
Jebacco,  that  Mr.  Rogers'  father  from  Kittery,  D.  Rogers  from  Ex- 
eter, &  N.  Rogers  of  Ipswich,  brothers,  ordained  him.  The  Broth- 
er of  this  D.  Rogers  was  at  the  Upper  Town  in  Cape  Ann.  These 
Rogers  are  descendants  from  J.  Rogers,  the  martyr  of  Smithfield. 

19.  Sunday.  My  first /cw^  Sermon  subject  of  much  conversa- 
tion &  gave  great  offence  to  some  interested  men.  INIy  sermon  on 
"Dissolute  manners"  also  gave  offence,  and  political  prejudice 
will  make  many  other  things  give  offence.  Notes.  John  Barker 
&  wife,  Child  dang,  sick,  died  at  sundown.  Mary  Ropes,  her  deliv- 
ery, Husb.  at  Sea,  Son  &  Brothers  at  Sea. 


310  DIARY  OF  pMay 

20.  Went  to  Boston  with  Capt.  Gibaut  to  see  the  new  Frigate 
Boston,  launched.  She  went  off  slowly  &  gracefully  &  the  whole 
business  was  conducted  with  great  good  order.  The  President  of 
the  United  States  &  the  L.  Gov.  of  Mass.,  &c,  were  present  on  the 
occasion  with  a  great  multitude  of  Spectators  of  both  sexes. 

23.  Eode  with  Lucia  Waters  upon  the  Neck  &  upset  the  Chaise, 
without  damage.     We  were  in  the  bad  road  near  Allen's  Farm. 

24.  Several  arrivals  this  day  both  in  Salem  &  Boston.  The 
mortality  has  been  great  from  this  port  in  Havana.  Capt.  Meek 
lost  11  who  sailed  from  this  town,  tho'  belonging  to  Marblehead, 
&c.  Endeavours  are  used  to  get  a  law  of  quarantine  to  embarass 
the  Merchants. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Collins  &  wife  &  Children,  death  of 
Son  at  Sea.  Wid.  Eliz.  Cloutman  &  Children,  d.  of  her  Son  with 
E.  H.  Derby.  John  Barker  &  wife,  d.  of  their  only  child.  Benja. 
Cheever  &  wife,  d.  of  Brother  Collins,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

27.  A  Boy  belonging  to  Fogg  fell  from  a  Carpenter's  stage  at 
the  point,  below  Daniel's,  &  fractured  his  Skull  badly.  (Died  on 
Saturday  following.) 

28.  Went  to  Boston  with  Capt.  Gibaut  in  order  to  attend  my 
Uncle  Ridgeway's  funeral.  He  was  lodged  in  the  Chapel  ground 
in  the  tomb  of  Gedney.  After  the  funeral,  spent  an  evening  with 
Dr.  Lathrop  who  is  still  in  his  theologico-political  career,  publish- 
ing sermons  on  fasts,  &c.  Endeavoured  to  make  glad  the  heart  of 
my  father  by  some  presents. 

29.  The  Election  day  was  pleasant.  The  concourse  of  Clergy 
great.  The  President  of  the  United  States  favoured  us  with  his 
presence.  The  Governour  still  remains  dangerously  ill.  The 
preacher  had  great  discretion.  At  dinner  with  Mr.  Freeman  we 
had  a  select  company.  Spent  the  evening  at  Club  at  Eliot's  agre- 
ably. 

30.  For  the  first  time  went  into  the  Convention  in  consequence 
of  some  proposed  addresses  to  the  people  &  to  the  Legislature. 
These  were  happily  overruled  by  the  exertions  of  Mr.  Payson  of 
Chelsea,  who  was  well  supported,  &  an  address  to  ministers  was 
substituted.  This  address  was  the  joint  labour  of  Osgood,  Tappan 
&  Thacher,  to  whom  Morse  was  added.  The  Sermon  was  from 
Forbes  of  Cape  Ann.  I  dined  agreably  at  Eliot's  with  a  lovely 
circle  of  Clergymen. 

June  1.  [1799]  A  7nan  drowned  in  North  River  this  week, 
named  Fowler,  Blacksmith.  A  woman  burnt  to  death  by  name  of 
Pickering. 

2.  Sunday.  This  evening  I  attended  the  funeral  of  the  young 
man  who  was  killed  by  a  fall  from  a  stage,  named  Fogg,  Dr.  Prince 
was  out  of  town.  Wrote  letters  to  the  father  at  Pittsburg,  N.  H., 
&  G.  Mother  at  N.  Hampton,  N.  H. 

3.  A  very  old  House  comer  of  Elm  street  and  Essex  street. 
The  chimney  has  fallen  down.     Among  the  oldest  in  town. 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  811 

5.  Rode  to  Phillips'  Beach  with  S.  C.  Found  Mr.  Phillips,  aet. 
83,  living.  The  House  was  built  for  his  Grandfather  in  1660.  An 
ash  frame  now  firm.  This  part  called  Quamskutt.*  His  g.  g. 
father  was  among  the  first  settlers.  Everything  wears  the  appear- 
ance of  neglect.  A  beautiful  Ash  before  the  house  was  planted 
from  a  walking  stick  with  which  he  drove  homewards  his  team. 
They  still  complain  of  Foxes,  Martins,  etc.  in  their  woods,  tho'  they 
are  not  so  common  as  the  skunks.  At  Phillips'  I  saw  an  old 
Cradle  much  resembling  that  at  Boston,  in  which  John  Massey  the 
first  Male  Child  was  rocked. 

6.  Went  with  a  party  of  friends  upon  invitation  to  dine  with  the 
Widow  Grafton  at  Wenham.  We  amused  ourselves  with  the  Ale- 
wives,  Lamprey  eels  &  small  fish  of  Wenham  pond,  &  after  an  ele- 
gant social  dinner  we  went  to  Pleasant  pond  oXiOMt  1/2  mile  north- 
westward from  the  meeting  house.  There  is  a  beautiful  prospect 
from  the  ridge  eastward  of  the  pond.  The  pond  is  of  about  40  acres  & 
the  approach  is  beautiful  upon  the  western  &  especially  on  the  east- 
em  side.  On  the  north  &  South  are  communications  with  Swamps. 
I  went  round  the  pond.  After  Tea  we  returned  to  Salem.  Having 
no  boats  we  could  not  enjoy  the  fishing  which  is  so  good  in  these 
ponds.  The  lands  near  Pleasant  pond  are  like  the  dungeons,  are  in 
great  hollows ,  but  too  much  cleared  of  wood.  In  the  graveyard  we 
found  the  monument  of  Revd.  Joseph  Gerrish  who  succeeded  to 
Revd.  John  Fisk.  It  has  been  repaired  by  the  Inhabitants  but  a 
small  part  was  legible.  There  are  also  the  monuments  of  Revd. 
Ward,  Warren,  &  Swain,  who  have  been  successively  ministers  in 
this  Town.  We  found  also  two  of  the  name  of  Fisk.  One,  a  Deacon 
aet.  85,  who  must  have  been  born  in  1644,  &  a  William  Fisk,  later. 
By  this  it  appears  that  all  Wenham  did  not  probably  remove  to 
Chelmsford  with  Revd.  John  Fisk,  &  probably  he  might  leave  some 
Children  upon  his  Lands  in  Wenham.  Mr.  Gerrish's  Latin  inscrip- 
tion expressed  that  he  was  born  in  Newbury  &  as  the  word  Parker 
appeared,  probably  educated  under  Rer.  Parker  of  that  place. 

7.  Read  the  celebrated  Novel  by  Leivis,  called  the  Monk.  There 
is  intoxicating  pleasure  so  far  as  Matilda  carries  him  into 
wedlock.  There  is  too  much  of  the  supernatural  in  the  consequent 
scenes.  Ambrosio's  stiniggle  between  nature  &  education  is  well 
done.  Character  is  better  than  the  narrative.  Action  is  better  than 
the  time.  Unity  is  lost  everywhere.  We  are  never  prepared  for 
what  happens.  The  Devil  does  all  at  last.  The  poetry  most  ab- 
surdly introduced  is  always  of  the  inferiour  kind.  This  work  may 
render  virtue  always  suspected.  But  it  is  unnatural.  Allowing 
only  that  one  man  cannot  have  all  the  propensities  which  are  too 
inconsistent  to  live  together.  We  may  find  men  from  nature  and 
habit,  neither  thieves,  liars,  debauches,  nor  murderers.  This  day 
at  11  o'clock  died  his  Excellency  INCREASE  SUMNER,  Governor 

•Now  the  town  of  Swampscott. 


312  DiAEY  OF  [June 

of  Massachusetts,  set.  53.  In  his  temper,  amiable;  in  his  person, 
handsome ;  in  his  appearance,  noble ;  in  his  manners,  pure ;  as  a 
Judge,  impartial ;  in  his  administration  of  the  State,  happy.  He 
lived  with  honour  &  died  esteemed  &  beloved. 

8.  Major  Saunders  who  removed  from  this  Town  to  New  York  & 
failed  in  his  affairs,  must  have  been  very  unsafe  in  his  transactions 
or  a  villain  of  prime  magnitude.  Constant  examples  of  being  false 
in  his  trusts  arise.  Mr.  B.  Ward  desired  me  to  write  to  my  Brother 
Wooley  upon  the  subject  of  finding  him  at  Sea. 

11.  Association.  Members  present  at  my  house,  Dr.  Barnard, 
Rev.  Mess.  Story,  Wadsworth,  Thacher,  Green.  From  Boston,  Dr. 
Eliot,  Revd.  J.  T.  Kirkland.  Gentlem.  Prec.  Parker,  M.  D.  Little, 
Capt.  Gibant.  Mr.  Kirkland  preached.  A  lovely  man  &  fine  preach- 
er. Day  appointed  for  Governour  Sumner's  Funeral  procession.  The 
day  was  showery  in  the  morning,  but  more  agreable  in  the  after- 
noon. The  shipping  paid  the  usual  respect  and  the  Bells  tolled  from 
3  to  4  o'clock. 

13.  Last  Friday  night  was  so  unusually  dark  that  Travellers 
on  the  road  were  obliged  to  stop  in  the  roads.  A  Clergyman  pass- 
ing from  Milton  to  Dorchester,  missing  his  road  was  obliged  to  turn 
his  Chaise  by  the  storm  «&  continue  in  it  till  morning.  Teamsters 
on  roads  to  which  they  were  accustomed  did  not  dare  proceed  after 
the  Darkness  was  extreme.  The  greatest  darkness  was  after  mid- 
night. 

14.  Major  Zadock  Buffington  was  buried  in  this  Town  yesterday. 
He  taught  vocal  music  several  years  in  our  society  &  having  mar- 
ried Debby,  at  the  Ship,  he  kept  that  public  House  till  his  death, 
set.  47. 

16.  Sunday.  Notes.  For  Thomas  Squire,  dang,  sick,  &  pr.  for 
Son  in  law  at  Sea.  Took  notice  of  the  death  of  Gov.  Sumner  &  gave 
a  gen.  history  of  the  men  in  that  office  from  the  beginning  of  our 
Commonwealth.     Full  assembly. 

17.  Capt.  Gibaut  entertained  me  at  Tea  with  roasted  clams  from 
Cape  Ann.  They  are  not  the  long  large  Clams  of  our  Beaches,  nor 
the  Quahoag,  but  really  a  larger  species  of  the  Hog  or  Common 
Clam,  differing  from  the  long  or  large  clams,  by  being  between  that 
&  the  common  clams  &  retaining  all  the  tenderness  of  the  shell  of 
the  small  clam,  so  that  we  found  it  very  difficult  to  roast  them  as 
the  shell  could  not  resist  the  fire. 

18.  Went  to  the  mouth  of  Abbot's  Cove.  Alewives  innumer- 
able. Porpusses  playing.  Polluck  skirting.  Took  three  cods  & 
other  fish  &  returned  in  two  hours. 

19.  Spent  the  day  at  Nahant.  Many  persons  there  as  invalids. 
A  Mr.  Dana,  minister  of  Barry,  Worcester  C,  Mass.  Fish  were 
abundant.  Visited  Swallow  Rock.  Came  home  by  Lynn  Town. 
Spent  an  hour  at  Robinson's  &  reached  Salem  at  10  in  the  evening. 

22.     Caesar  has  been  here  to  tell  me  that  I  am  this  day  40  years 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,  D.   D.  313 

of  age.  This  blind  fellow  has  a  strong  memory  &  gets  his  living  by- 
such  tydings.  Capt.  Taylor  has  arrived  from  Havanna  &  has  lost 
two  hands  by  the  fever.  News  from  Capt.  Mac.  He  did  not  leave 
the  OrT^nies  till  Mai'ch  after  he  was  cast  away.  He  is  expected 
homewards.     A  severe  season  in  those  regions. 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  Nancy  Melzar,  d.  of  her  father  Squires, 
h.  at  sea.  My  Theological  treasures  are  increasing  in  the  versions 
of  Geddes,  Michaelis  &  Statz,  in  the  Sermons  of  Zollikoffer  & 
other  German  Treasure. 

24.  Book  of  the  Commoners  of  Sale7n,  lately  obtained  from  Shil- 
laber,  delivered  to  Major  Waldo  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  B.  Ward,  for 
Selectman.  A  concert  of  Music  &  a  theatre  opened  this  week  in 
Salem  ! 

28.  Went  to  Mr.  T.  Bowditch  to  receive  some  Indian  curiosities 
from  Sandwich  islands.  The  reports  of  the  Sandwich  islands  are 
different  from  those  of  Cooke,  &  very  incredible  as  are  often  the 
vagiie  reports  of  seamen  who  have  heard  &  not  seen. 

29.  Went  to  Hovey's  at  West  Beach,  with  my  favorite  Harriet.* 
We  went  from  the  Beach  in  a  wherry  from  rock  to  rock  till  we 
reached  the  ledge  below  Mingo's  beach  &  there  we  supplied  ourselves 
with  perch.  Sarah  &  Rebecca,  daughters  of  Mr.  Hovey,  accom- 
panied us  &  a  Nancy  Thorndike,  daughter  of  the  Wid.  of  Isaacf 
Thorndike,  quite  an  agreable  girl.  A  young  son  of  Mr.  Hovey  &  I 
tugged  at  the  oars.  Miss  Nancy  returned  home  in  the  chaise  with 
us  very  agreably.  We  had  a  good  dish  of  Coffee  &  fried  fish  & 
reached  Salem  at  nine  o'clock. 

30.  Sunday.  Notes.  Nath.  Phippen  &  wife,  d.  of  his  2d  son  at 
Sea,  pr.  for  Son  in  law  Knap  &  for  her  Brother  at  Sea.  Joseph  Val- 
py  &  wife,  d.  of  only  daughter,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Peabody 
Dole  of  Danvers,  d.  of  his  wife. 

July  2.  [1799]  The  list  for  a  board  of  Health  in  Salem  proposed 
21  June,  1799.  It  authorises  enquiry  in  the  day  time  into  any 
nuisances,  it  permits  examination  of  any  fish  or  flesh  for  the  mar- 
ket, it  provides  ag.  the  sale  of  sheep  for  food  within  3  days  after 
they  are  driven,  ag.  hides,  empowers  to  quarentine,  to  provide  hos- 
pitals, the  Committee  to  be  of  nine  persons,  not  less  than  two  out 
of  each  ward  in  the  town. 

4.  The  day  of  our  Political  birth  celebrated  in  this  Town  by  fir- 
ing guns  &  by  the  public  appearance  of  the  Cadets.  The  ship 
Mount  Vernon  fired  an  excellent  federal  Salute  at  Sun  Down. 

5.  A  yoimg  Stickney  has  been  trying  an  experiment  of  a  diving 
bell.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  Cylinder,  has  two  pipes  &  a  machine 
to  free  it  from  foul  air.  Capt.  Gibaut  speaks  kindly  but  the  exper- 
iment discovered  that  it  did  admit  improvement. 

7.  Notes.  Hannah  Peale,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  friends  at 
Sea. 

•Elkins.       tlsrael? 


314  DiABY  OF  [July 

8.  The  health  Committee  are  preparing  for  their  building  on  the 
extreme  &  northerly  part  of  the  Neck.  The  building  is  to  be  40  by 
20  feet  and  the  Cellar  20  square. 

9.  Capt.  J.  Orne  has  arrived  this  day  from  Calcutta.  Enquired 
of  Haggett,  who  lives  upon  the  Merrimac,  respecting  Salmon  & 
Smelts.  The  Smelts  are  found  in  the  winter.  The  time  of  the  Sal- 
mon's return  he  says  is  unknown  to  the  inhabitants  near  the  river. 
He  has  seen  three  Salmon  caught  through  the  ice  by  a  hook  in  Feb- 
ruary at  Pentucket  Falls,  &  they  are  known  to  be  in  the  river  till 
September  with  their  spawn.  He  gives  it  as  the  prevalent  opinion 
that  they  pass  under  the  ice. 

10.  A  Negro  going  out  in  Fairfield,  in  a  sulky  mood  drowned 
himself  below  the  Haste. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Fairfield,  d.  of  his  Son  John,  a  Son 
at  Sea.  William  Foy  &  wife,  d.  of  Child,  pr.  friends  at  Sea. 
Nancy  Crandall,  delivery,  pr.  husband  at  Sea.  The  news  of  the 
d.  of  Capt.  J.  Mosely  confirmed.  He  was  killed  by  an  English 
Ship  of  war,  which  fired  a  broadside  into  him.  Capt.  Israel  Wil- 
liams arrived  this  day  from  Hamburg. 

16.  Capt.  Lee  of  Manchester  bitten  last  week  by  a  Rattlesnake 
in  the  woods  of  that  Town.  The  swelling  was  instant  in  the  leg 
&  in  the  tongue.  By  the  Bath  &  oil  he  had  relief  &  our  hopes  are 
increased. 

17.  Being  Commencement  I  went  to  Cambridge.  A  lovely  circle 
at  Judge  Winthrop's  gave  great  pleasui-e.  The  Day  was  without 
riot.  Professor  Willard  appeared  in  the  services  of  the  day,  but  of 
such  meagre  form  as  to  leave  his  friends  little  hope  that  he  will 
appear  again  on  such  an  occasion. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joshua  Phippen  &  wife  &  children,  re- 
turn of  their  Son,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Fairfield  &  chil- 
dren, d.  of  her  Son,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Lydia  Valpy  &  children, 
death  of  her  Brother  Gibson  Clough.  Patience  Nichols,  child  sick, 
pr.  for  husband  at  Sea.  John  Barker  &  wife,  her  delivery.  Yes- 
terday &  this  day  died  at  our  Hospital,  two  men,  of  the  Fever 
which  has  so  alarmed  our  Country.  They  laboured  on  board  a 
Vessel  together.  Worked  late  &  lay  upon  deck.  The  Vessel  a 
coaster. 

22.  Hospital  on  the  Neck  prepared  for  such  sick  &  infected 
persons  as  enter  by  water.  Visited  Cockle's  grove  near  Spring  pond, 
entering  by  Gelusha's  range  of  wall,  &  returning  through  Oliver's 
farm.  The  precipice,  the  valley,  the  pond  &  the  rural  scene  com- 
bine unusually  in  this  delightful  spot.  I  found  a  boat  had  been 
placed  in  this  pond,  &  another  in  Brown's  pond  opposite  to  it. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  B.  Hodges,  wife  &  children,  d.  of  his  Father, 
pr.  for  Br.  George  at  Sea.  Gam.  Hodges  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Father,  pr. 
for  Br.  G.  at  Sea.  Hannah  Hodges,  w.  of  G.,  d.  of  his  Father,  pr. 
for  Husband  at  Sea.     Patty  Friend,  d.  of  a  near  friend  Capt.  J. 


1799]  WILLIAM   BBNTLEY,   D.  D.  816 

Hodges.  She  lived  with  him  above  20  years.  Thomas  Palfrey  & 
wife,  d.  of  her  B.  in  Law  Capt.  Mosely  killed  by  a  Privateer  at  Sea, 
pr.  for  Brothers  at  Sea.  Eliz.  Bartlet,  wid.,  d.  of  her  Sister  Chubb, 
pr.  for  a  Son  long  absent.  Joseph  Webb  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr. 
for  Brothers  at  Sea. 

August  1.  [1799]  The  Cannon  for  the  Salem  Frigate  have 
■come  to  Winter  Island.  They  have  begun  the  new  work  on  the  n.  w. 
angle  of  the  Fort  on  Winter  Island. 

2.  A  barn  burnt  by  lightning  at  Lynn.  Welman  &  Brown  have 
bought  the  W.  Comer  of  Long  Wharf  at  2300  D.  This  has  been 
long  occupied  by  Brown  as  a  Store. 

3.  Becket  launched  a  Ship*  for  Hodges  &  Nichols  at  noon  this 
<iay. 

4.  Sunday.  Notes.  B.  Brown  &  wife,  her  delivery,  Brethren 
at  Sea. 

9.  An  attempt  by  Stickney  to  dive  in  his  Bell  or  Cask,  but  up- 
on the  first  experiment  to  sink  it  in  18  feet  of  water,  by  above  a 
ton  weight,  it  instantly  burst  &  the  whole  plan  was  distroyed. 

10.  The  gazettes  flame  with  zeal  now  the  French  are  unsuccess- 
ful. Every  Clergyman  is  arraigned  at  this  tribunal,  who  does  not 
speak  the  fury  of  the  day.  Orations  thicken  in  the  market  from  all 
-quarters.     We  are  wise  in  trifles  beyond  all  former  account. 

12.  Mrs.  Whitefoot  fell  upon  the  Neck  &  broke  her  leg,  &  Mrs. 
Smith  in  Town. 

13.  Was  at  association  at  Danvers.  Many  of  the  Clergy  did 
not  read  the  Address  from  Convention  &  few  of  those  who  promot- 
ed it.  Father  Forbes  gave  us  a  strange  hodge  podge  for  our  enter- 
tainment. 

16.  Saw  for  the  first  time  the  frame  of  the  building  designed 
for  a  Baptist  Meeting  House  at  Beverly.  Saw  the  method  of  taking 
Perch  in  a  Basket  let  down  from  the  Bridge  with  Clams.  It  is 
open  and  the  fish  are  caught  by  endeavouring  to  keep  down  while 
the  Basket  rises. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Abigail  Eogers  &  children,  d.  of  her 
husband.  Phoebe  Brown,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  friends  at 
Sea.  This  A.  R.  was  the  wife  of  N.  Rogers,  A.  M.  of  Cambridge,  & 
he  was  the  son  of  Revd.  N.  R.  of  Ipswich.  Very  eccentric.  A 
preceptor  in  Salem,  &c.  Of  good  talents.  Died  at  Biddeford  on 
Saco  River.  An  Anabaptist  assured  me  that  Mr.  Baldwin,  the 
preacher  in  Boston,  in  his  journey  preached  every  day  &  found  a 
wonderful  love  of  religion. 

20.  Mr.  Jacob  Emerson,  lately  Chaplain  at  the  Castle,  Boston 
Harbour,  was  with  me.  He  was  on  his  journey  eastwards  to  get  a 
passage  to  the  Isles  of  Shoals  where  he  expected  to  spend  some 
time  as  a  Missionary  from  the  Society  for  prop,  gospel.  Gibaut's 
Ship  launched  at  Becket's  without  great  success. 

•Ship  Active. 


316  DIARY   OF  [Aug. 

23.  Went  on  the  water  with  Capt.  G.  Crowninshield  &  sons.  I 
saw  three  ships  enter  the  port  from  foreign  Voyages. 

25.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Hosmer,  delivery,  Husb.  at  Sea» 
Wm.  Lane  &  wife,  her  delivery. 

26.  Composed  Articles  xxiii  for  intended  Society  of  Marines 
who  have  navigated  the  seas  of  Asia.  I  delivered  them  to  Capt. 
Gibaut.  From  Capt.  Knap  had  a  certificate  that  B.  Hodges  &  I 
were  accepted  by  the  Eoyal  Arch  Chapter  in  Newbury  Port. 

27.  Visited  the  watch  house  point  upon  which  was  buried  the 
first  person  from  the  Hospital  built  on  the  point  near  it  opposite  to 
Beverly.*  It  was  William  Shattuck,  Son  of  a  Boston  Merchant  of 
that  name,  who  married  a  Parker,  2d  cousin  to  me.  Removed  in 
Nov.  This  young  man  went  out  to  trade  in  the  West  Indies. 
From  Demarara  he  went  to  Surinam  &  there  was  sick.  He  took 
passage  in  Capt.  Allen  &  died  in  the  ship  Bellasarius  on  Sunday,  3 
p.  m.  &  was  buried  from  the  Hospital  in  the  New  ground  assigned 
for  a  Burying  place  to  the  Hospital. 

30.  A  certain  Captain  who  landed  at  Nahant  &  suspected  of 
malconduct  has  been  apprehended  &  kept  in  custody.  His  conduct 
has  been  singular.  He  proved  to  have  been  an  English  Privateer 
&  came  this  way  to  see  a  woman  he  addressed.  It  was  a  small  boat 
to  have  adventured  so  far.  He  was  set  at  liberty.  He  had  no  men 
belonging  to  his  Vessel. 

September  1.  [1799]  Sunday.  Mr.  Mackeen  came  &  preached 
with  us  all  day,  from  Milton.  He  is  on  his  way  to  Ipswich  for 
marriage.  Notes.  Benjamin  Archer  &  wife,  delivery,  Brethren  at^ 
Sea.     Clifford  Byrne  &  wife,  delivery,  brethren  at  Sea. 

2.  Revd.  Mr.  Huntington  of  Topsfield  was  with  me  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Jaspar  Bentley.  It  was  proposed  to  apply  to  the  Overseers, 
to  the  Lodge,  or  the  Cong.  Ch.  Society. 

3.  The  Clergy  continue  to  inveigh  bitterly  against  Weishaup.f 
One  parish,  represents  him  prince  of  the  damned.  Dr.  Priestly 
does  not  share  a  better  fate.  Peter  Porcupine  &  his  whole  gang^ 
are  again  pouring  out  their  invectives  against  him  &  every  claim 
even  to  literary  reputation,  is  denied  him.  Our  own  Gazette  of 
this  day  gives  these  specimens  which  it  has  borrowed  to  contribute 
to  the  abuse.  The  Vice  President  takes  full  share  of  obloquy  & 
even  the  Clergy  are  challenged  for  making  him  a  subject  of  their 
prayers  unless  they  denounce  his  guilt. 

4.  A  new  Carding  Machine  at  the  Mills,  Little  River,  Haver- 
hill, Mass.  This  afternoon  was  buried  Madam  Orne,  ast.  77.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Richard  Elvins.  This  Richard  was  a  Baker  in 
the  eastern  part  of  Salem  &  Deacon  in  the  East  Meeting  House. 
During  the  life  of  W.  Jennison,  the  Minister,  he  was  often  called 
to  officiate,  as  Jennison  was  very  excentric.     When  he  had  begun 

•Near  "The  Willows."    Formerly  there  were  gravestones  marking  the  spot. 
tAdam  Weishaupt  (1748-1830),  founder  of  the  Illuminati. 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  817 

he  was  unwilling  to  quit  «&  therefore  went  eastward  to  preach  & 
Avas  ordained  at  lilaek  point,  &  married  the  widow  of  tbe  Minister 
deceased,  who  was  the  mother  of  the  present  President  Willard  of 
Cambridge. 

5.  Mr.  Derby,  E.  H.,  our  eminent  Merchant,  lays  dangerously 
sick  of  the  Angina  Pectoris.  The  Capture  of  a  Salem  Ship  &  other 
Vessels  at  St.  Jago,  Cape  d'Verde,  by  a  small  fleet  of  Frenchmen, 
has  given  just  alarm  for  our  East  Indian  friends  as  the  Vessels  have 
gone  on  their  expedition  towards  the  Cape  of  G.  Hope. 

6.  The  Pavement  from  the  Head  of  long  Wharf  as  far  round  as 
the  end  of  Elm  Street,  has  been  finished  &  the  Street  leading  from 
Essex  Street  to  the  Burying  ground,  called  Liberty  Street  is  now 
paved. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Hosmer,  d.  of  her  youngest  child, 
pr.  for  Husband  at  Sea.  Daniel  Reed  &  wife,  d.  of  their  youngest 
child.  Judith  Kelly,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 
This  evening  at  8  o'clock  died  Elias  Haskett  Derby,  the  most 
eminent  merchant  that  has  ever  been  in  Salem.  His  industry,  his 
manners,  his  economy,  exactly  conformed  to  the  best  character  of 
this  place.  He  was  60  years  of  age  in  the  last  month  of  August. 
He  has  left  four  Sons  &  three  daughters.  Three  of  the  Sons  are 
married  &  two  of  the  Daughters.  His  property  is  far  beyond  any- 
thing ever  known  in  Salem.* 

9.  The  place  has  been  erected  in  Bridge  street  for  the  riding  of 
the  wooden  Horses,  a  newly  introduced  amusement  of  the  Town. 

10.  At  the  Association  we  hear  of  a  New  Missionary  Society  in 
Massachusetts.  The  Articles  were  not  laid  before  us,  but  Revd. 
Green  who  had  been  invited  gave  the  substance  to  us.  There  were 
37  persons  chiefly  Clergymen  who  had  signed.  These  were  of  the 
denomination  commonly  called  Hopkinsians.  They  require 
signs  of  special  grace  in  their  Missionary.  The  Members  are  to 
subscribe  two  dollars  annually,  while  they  continue  members. 
Their  history  is,  that  they  pretend  not  to  interfere  with  any  other 
Institutions  for  propagating  the  gospel.  They  exact  of  the  Mis- 
sionary a  declaration  that  he  is  prepared  to  meet  every  discourage- 
ment &  suffering.  At  the  first  meeting  in  Boston  at  the  late  time 
of  Convention,  Mr.  Hopkins  of  this  town  was  chosen  to  preside  at 
the  meeting  but  things  look  so  discouragingly  that  he  resigned. 
They  then  collected  with  new  strength  &  Dr.  Emmons  of  Franklin 
was  chosen  to  preside  «&  they  now  promise  to  themselves  great  suc- 
cess. 

11.  Mr.  Derby's  funeral.  The  notice  I  received  was  not  with 
the  other  clergymen  but  from  the  private  bounty  of  one  of  the 
daughters,  jNIrs.  West. 

12.  The  celebrated  Perkins,  seller  of  metallic  points,  has  died 

•Said  to  have  been  $1,000,000.00;  the  largest  property  possessed  in  New  England  up  to 
that  time. 


318  DIARY  OP  [Sept. 

of  the  putrid  fever  he  announced  that  it  was  so  easy  to  cure.     He 
died  at  New  York. 

14.  In  the  Centinel  some  complaints  against  the  friends  at  Lynn, 
for  shutting  up  the  Quaker  Meeting  House  in  Boston.  It  was  so  ad- 
vised because  the  number  was  so  small  as  not  to  compose  a  society. 
Only  Two  men  in  full  standing. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Edw.  Gibaut  &  family,  d.  of  Brother  in  Law 
Derby.  Hannah  Crowninshield,  d.  of  Br.  in  Law  Derby.  Mary 
Elkins,  d.  of  Br.  in  Law  Derby,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  William  Webb 
&  wife,  d.  of  her  sister,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

16.  Catechised  the  male  children  of  the  Society,  who  were  104 
in  number.  Giles  protest  ag.  an  Eng.  Capt.  of  a  Frigate  for  a  cor- 
rection at  the  gangway  could  hardly  get  a  publication  in  a  Gazette. 
The  apology  is  that  the  Capt.  punished  the  American  because  he  was 
intoxicated.  Mr.  Emerson,  Chaplain  formerly  at  Castle  William, 
Boston,  did  not  reach  the  Isle  of  Shoals  for  one  fortnight  after  he 
left  me.  There  are  about  100  souls  on  the  Island.  Bp.  Bass  from 
Newbury  visited  him  on  the  day  after  his  arrival,  as  it  happened. 
Mr.  E.  oifers  to  keep  a  School  upon  payment  of  his  Board. 

17.  Catechised  the  daughters  of  the  Society,  who  were  120  in 
number. 

19.  Vessels  &  Tonnage  belonging  to  E.  H.  Derby  in  1797  &  till 
1799.  Ship  Henry,  180  Tons  ;  Benjamin,  140  Tons  ;  Martha,  300 
Tons ;  Mount  Vernon,  300  Tons ;  Ship  Astrea,  300  Tons,  sold  in 
1799;  Ship  Recovery,  280  Tons;  Two  ketches,  360  Tons,  one  sold 
in  1798  ;  Brig  Antelope,  130  Tons ;  Brig  Fanny,  taken,  120  Tons  ; 
Brig  Hannah,  since  sold,  100  Tons  ;  Schooner,  50  Tons,  sold ;  Bark 
Enterprise,  180  Tons ;  Brig  purchased  of  S.  Derby,  140  Tons ;  in 
all  2580  Tons.  This  must  at  the  Lowest  estimation  be  employment 
for  100  men,  besides  boys,  in  only  the  peace  establishment  of  naviga- 
tion, &  excluding  the  Artificers,  merchants,  &  servants  in  pay.  This 
is  a  large  stock  to  withdraw  from  the  Trade  of  a  single  Town,  being 
in  the  first  instance  1/90  of  its  whole  population. 

21.  The  Cables  were  carried  this  day  from  Brigg's  Ropewalk  to 
the  Frigate.  The  first  upon  the  shoulders  of  200  men.  The  last 
upon  trucks. 

22.  Sunday.  Note.  Wm.  Millet  &  wife,  d.  of  youngest  child, 
pr.  for  Brother  at  Sea.  One  Allen,  lately  a  Clergyman  at  Peters- 
borough,  N.  H.  but  dismissed,  was  taken  by  a  mob,  for  his  treat- 
ment of  his  wife,  &  was  obliged  to  ride,  as  it  is  called,  scimitar,  as 
far  as  they  pleased  to  carry  him.  So  Col.  P.  tells  us  from  New  Sa^- 
lem. 

25.  Joseph  White  has  returned  from  Hamburg  via  Petersburg. 
A  riot  yesterday  between  Soldiers  &  Sailors  in  the  Fort.  High 
Threats,  no  blood.  Alexander  (Caleb)  has  given  a  new  ed.  of  his 
Spelling  Book  &  so  has  Noah  Worcester  of  his.  Both  pronounced 
excellent.  Report  of  some  difficulty  respecting  the  line  of  demar- 
cation with  Indians. 


1799]  WILLIAM  BENTLET,  D.  D.  319 

27.  Paid  some  attention  to  the  Clock  in  the  Steeple.  It  is  not 
properly  inspected.  The  Health  Boat  is  taken  out  of  the  water. 
The  Health  Committee  has  ordered  this,  so  that  the  dangers  of  this 
season  are  thought  to  be  over.  No  invitations  are  given  to  see  the 
launching  of  the  Frigate.  Many  persons  have  been  to  see  the 
Frigate  &  are  passing  &  returning  at  all  hours,  night  as  well  as  day. 
The  lot  of  land  at  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Union  street,  fronting  Long 
wharf,  on  which  Phelps'  Blacksmith's  shop  now  stands,  sold  at  pub- 
lic vendue  this  day  for  2400  Dollars  &  the  opposite  corner  joining- 
the  wharf  for  1000  pounds.  The  lot  sold  this  day  is  22  feet  by  26. 
Since  I  have  been  in  Salem  either  lot  might  have  been  purchased 
for  an  inconsiderable  sum.  The  1000£  lot  covered  only  by  a  rough 
store  was  the  site  lately  of  a  Barber's  shop. 

28.  Boxford  Committee  desire  me  to  write  toT.  Alden  to  supply 
their  pulpit. 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joshua  Webb  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr. 
for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

30.  The  Launching  of  the  Frigate.*  Everything  was  in  full 
preparation.  The  morning  gun  was  fired  &  nothing  then  remained 
to  be  done  but  to  prepare  the  tallow,  drive  the  wedges,  remove  the 
blocks  &  let  her  go.  Seats  were  prepared  &  given  to  such  as  paid 
their  quarter  of  a  dollar,  on  the  western  side  of  the  ship  &  near  the 
water.  Within  were  seats  for  the  Committee,  in  Banks,  so  as  to  ac- 
comodate many  Spectators.  Above  12,000  persons  passed  the  Cause- 
way &  entered  upon  Winter  Island,  crowds  were  on  Naugus'  head 
on  the  opposite  sides,  numbers  in  boats,  &the  whole  adjacent  shore 
was  covered.  She  moved  easily  &  the  Launch  was  happy.  No  ac- 
cident interrupted  the  joy  of  the  day. 

October  2.  [1799]  The  first  No.  of  the  Telegraphe  has  appeared 
in  Boston.  This  paper  is  designed  to  supply  the  place  of  the  Old 
Chronicle  which,  tho'  really  continued  by  James  White  since  the 
death  of  Adams,  has  been  inspected  &  regulated  by  the  Federalists, 
as  they  are  called,  in  opposition  to  the  Jacobins,  or  the  friends  of  the 
Constitution,  but  not  of  the  Administration.  The  distinction  might 
more  properly  be  of  the  Adamites  &  the  Jeffersonians.  A  Fire 
broke  out  in  a  Small  Shop  on  the  side  of  the  hill  near  North  Bridge 
in  a  Founder's  Shop  occupied  by  Jeffords.  The  alarm  was  at  9 
o'clock  &  the  chief  damage  was  to  the  building  which  was  inconsid- 
erable. Capt.  Derby  declines  the  Command  of  the  Frigate  Essex 
launched  last  Monday. 

3.  Tytler's  long  expected  compilation  of  the  Fever  and  Plague 
has  passed  the  press.  If  we  may  judge  from  the  introduction  it  is 
a  stupid  performance  &  the  many  interested  friends  cannot  estab- 
lish even  a  temporary  fame.  The  style  of  thought  is  the  most 
groveling  to  be  imagined.  A  Ship  launched  this  day  at  Mann's  be- 
longing to  N.  West  &  Co. 

•The  Eeiex. 


320  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

6.  Sunday.  Margaret  Valpey,  d.  of  her  Husband,  pr.  for  Sons 
at  Sea.  Susannah  Valpey,  d.  of  her  Father  in  Law,  pr.  for  her  hus- 
band at  Sea.  George  Valpey,  d.  of  his  Father,  pr.  for  Brethren  at 
Sea.  Lydia  Valpey  &  D.,  d.  of  her  Brother  in  Law,  pr.  for  friends 
at  Sea.  Daniel  Kopes  &  wife,  d.  of  youngest  child,  pr.  for  friends 
at  Sea.  Joshua  Webb  &  wife,  d.  of  only  child,  pr.  for  Brethren  at 
Sea. 

8.  Association  at  Beverly.  Mr.  Micah  Stone  preached.  Mr. 
Kendal  approbated.  Dr.  Osgood  of  Medford,  says  Mr.  Green  of 
Maiden,  in  a  late  discourse  from  the  pulpit,  has  declared  that  a  so- 
ciety of  persons  in  Boston  had  seriously  proposed  to  open  &  estab- 
lish a  religious  Society  for  worship  &  instruction  in  Natural  religion 
and  that  they  were  in  pursuit  of  a  young  man  of  talents  to  under- 
take. One  Bamfield,  an  Itinerant,  we  are  told  is  lurking  about.  Dr. 
Morse  was  taken  in  by  him.  Monthly  lectures  are  omitted  in  Mar- 
blehead  as  well  as  in  Salem  by  the  Congregational  Churches.  There 
are  not  frequent  lectures  at  Cape  Ann.  The  other  societies  still 
maintain  them.  In  Marblehead  &  Salem  the  Congregational 
Churches  never  had  evening  lectures. 

9.  Capt.  Joseph  Brown  in  a  vessel  of  Chever  &  Crowninshield, 
has  been  taken  in  W.  Indies  by  french. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joseph  Valpey  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Father, 
pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

14.  On  Monday  I  left  Salem  for  Newbury  Port  &  found  the 
Royal  Arch  in  Chapter  according  to  promise.  At  their  In- 
vitation I  visited  them  &  received  the  degrees  of  MARK  MASTER, 
PAST  MASTER,  EXCELLENT  MASTER,  &  ROYAL  ARCH 
MASTER.  There  was  an  elegant  supper  after  the  Ceremonies  &  I 
passed  the  evening  with  the  High  Priest,  after  having  visited  Capt. 
Noyes,  Capt.  Knap,  Revd.  Cary,  Blount,  &c. 

15.  I  left  Newbury  Port,  as  I  went,  in  the  Portsmouth  stage  & 
returned  to  Salem  after  an  agreable  visit.  The  worthy  Mr.  Carey 
dined  with  me  &  his  Colleague  at  Salem,  High  Street,  N.  P.,  every 
time  I  visit  it,  has  new  &  spatious  Buildings  &  must  vie  with  any 
street  in  New  England. 

20.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joseph  Valpey  &  wife,  delivery,  pr.  for 
Brethren  at  Sea.  At  the  Council  convened  in  the  old  Senate 
Chamber,  Boston,  for  the  Installation  of  VV.  Emerson,  Wm.  Coop- 
er, Town  Clerk  of  Boston,  proposed  to  ask  some  questions  of  high 
Orthodoxy,  but  the  questions  were  judged  improper.  Three  per- 
sons voted  against  the  Installation,  some  did  not  vote,  but  the  ma- 
jority proceeded  with  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  Brethren  of  the 
Church  and  Congregation  to  receive  him. 

21.  This  day  was  assigned  for  the  perambulation  of  the  Town 
of  Salem.  We  rode  to  Legg's  Hill  &  there  met  the  Selectmen  of 
INIarblehead.  At  the  Beech  we  received  the  Lynn  Selectmen,  & 
then   passed   to   Boston   Road.     As  the  land  becomes  settled  we 


1799J  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  321 

experience  the  great  inconvenience  of  stakes  &  stones.  In  five 
years  the  stones  are  removed,  the  fields  plowed,  or  the  woods  cut 
down,  so  that  our  Trees  become  stumps,  our  stumps  rot,  or  are  re- 
moved. The  maple  stump  in  the  swamp  of  Lynn  is  no  more. 
Sometimes  many  piles  of  stones  in  cleared  land  are  lost  where  we 
left  a  monument.  It  was  therefore  proposed  &  concurred  by  the 
men  of  ^Marblehead  &  Uanvers,  to  place  octagonal  pillars  of  stone 
with  Capital  letters  on  their  cap,  at  the  proper  boundaries,  causing 
such  proper  places  in  the  range  of  the  line  as  might  be  near  the 
roads  &  most  conspicuous.  We  dined  at  Frye's,  near  Danvers,  &  in 
the  afternoon  passed  through  Northfields.  Few  of  the  Boundaries 
appeared  &  none  near  the  shore.     "We  returned  at  7  o'clock  to  Salem. 

22.  Capt.  Carnes  from  Sumatra,  shew  me  various  specimens  of 
shells,  a  large  Oister  shell,  like  that  given  to  Hist.  Society,  the 
tooth  of  an  Elephant,  a  pipe  with  two  stems,  a  petrified  mushroom 
cap  &  stem,  &  two  specimens  of  boxes  in  gold,  with  open  work,  ex- 
tremely nice,  &  open  flowers.  The  work  is  of  uncommonly  thin 
plates  of  gold,  by  the  Malays.  It  is  proposed  by  the  New  Marine 
Society,  called  the  East  India  Marine  Society,  to  make  a  Cabinet. 
This  society  has  been  lately  thought  of.  Capt.  Gibaut  first  men- 
tioned the  plan  to  me  this  summer  &  desired  me  to  give  some  plan 
of  articles,  or  a  scetch.  The  first  friends  of  the  Institution  met  & 
chose  a  committee  to  compare  &  digest  articles  from  the  scetches 
given  to  them.  Last  week  I  was  informed  that  on  the  preceding 
week  the  members  had  met  &  signed  the  articles  proposed  by  the 
Committee  &  had  chosen  Capt.  B.  Hodges,  President,  Capt.  Jacob 
Crowninshield,  Treasurer,  &  had  paid  25  dollars  each  for  a  fund, 
&  had  chosen  a  "Committee  of  Observation."  On  Saturday  last, 
Capt.  Gibaut  brought  me  the  articles  &  begged  a  revision  of  them. 
I  gave  him  my  ideas.  The  President  asked  the  same  &  I  have 
promised  whenever  they  are  again  exhibited  to  give  my  remarks  in 
writing,  as  this  liberal  &  important  design  has  not  yet  the  perfec- 
tion its  members  intend  to  give  it. 

23.  The  Regiment  of  Beverly  paraded  under  Major  Homans. 
This  includes  the  company  from  Manchester.  The  men  were  de- 
cently clad,  well  furnished  with  guns,  bayonets,  &  accoutrements. 
The  Upper  Company  of  Beverly  was  in  a  uniform  of  the  short  blue 
jacket  &  tight  trousers  with  the  seams  red  &  appeared  well.  In 
evolutions  they  could  do  little.  Some  of  their  firings  were  good. 
The  whole  line  once  fired  well  without  one  mistake.  The  principal 
gentlemen  of  the  town  dined  at  their  new  Schoolhouse  &  were  es- 
corted to  the  Common.  The  firings  were  in  the  Street.  I  visited  for 
the  first  time  the  new  School  house  &  passed  to  the  hill  from  which 
I  could  view  the  new  barn  erected  for  a  Baptist  Meeting  House. 
The  upper  part  of  the  New  School  House  is  accommodated  for 
Town  Meetings.     A  falling  door*  on  the  west  side  communicates 

•Probably  raised  by  weights,  after  the  manner  of  the  partitions  in  Qoaber  meeting- 
booses. 


322  DIARY   OF  [Nov. 

witli  the  selectmen's  room  &  gives  a  place  for  the  moderator,  & 
Town  officers,  receiver,  or  Town  Clerk,  &c. 

24.  Went  up  into  Danvers,  beyond  Butt  Brook,  on  Reading 
Road,  to  attend  the  funeral  of  Mrs.  Davis,  set.  27.  A  Husband  & 
3  children  survive  her.  Attended  also  the  funeral  of  Mrs.  Stocker, 
a  daughter  of  my  friend  Herrick.  She  attended  at  Hopkins'  who 
was  not  in  Town.  Dudley  Woodbridge  buried  this  day.  Turner's 
Ball  for  the  young  ladies  this  evening.  The  inclination  to  these 
amusements  rapidly  increases  in  Salem.  A  few  years  since  a  single 
family  in  my  society  went  to  an  assembly.  Now  every  Ball  & 
every  assembly  will  take  many.  The  expence  however  is  still  a 
terrour.  Subscribers  for  the  Assembly  are  not  numerous.  A  Ball 
from  a  Dancing  Master  seems  to  draw  the  greatest  number.  But 
there  are  some  old  People  who  go  to  see  their  g.  children  dance. 
As  far  as  graceful  motion  &  personal  accomplishments  are  con- 
cerned, it  is  commendable. 

27.  Sunday.  Note.  Barnabas  Herrick  &  wife  &  daughter,  d. 
of  his  daughter  Stocker. 

29.  Mr.  Haggett  is  here  altering  the  buts  of  the  windlass  for  the 
patent  cabuse  of  the  Essex.  No  Captain  yet  appears.  Capt.  Crown- 
inshield  has  raised  his  large  store  on  his  wharf,  E.  of  Long  wharf. 

November  2  [1799].  Our  Fort  William  named  Fort  Pickering. 
Capt.  Edward  Prebble  is  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Essex 
Frigate.* 

5.  The  alarm  of  fire  this  evening.  Mr.  Shattuck's  Barn  was 
burnt.  It  was  calm  &  warm,  otherwise  there  would  have  been  the 
greatest  danger  from  a  terrible  blaze  in  the  middle  of  the  Town. 

7.  A  Town  Meeting  warned  upon  the  subject  of  Fuel.  It  is 
between  6  &  7  Dollars  from  the  Wharfingers.  The  wood  from  the 
Coimtry  is  sold  at  the  same  price.  Mr.  Carnes  has  presented  his 
curiosities  to  the  new  formed  East  India  Marine  Society  &  they 
are  providing  a  Museum  &  Cabinet. 

8.  Town  Meeting,  few  attended.  Nothing  done  about  the  poor's 
fuel.     Few  present. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wm.  Foster  &  wife,  death  of  their  child, 
pr.  Brethren  at  Sea.  Mary  Knap,  d.  of  her  G.  child,  pr.  Sons  at 
Sea.  John  Collins  &  wife,  her  delivery.  This  day  at  10  o'clock 
died  suddenly  Capt.  Jonathan  Mason,  Senr.  set.  66.  He  had  had  sev- 
eral paralytic  strokes  but  after  free  conversation  instantly  fell  in  an 
apoplectic  stroke.  He  has  been  a  very  useful  man,  as  Clerk  of  the 
Marine  Society,  wharfinger  of  the  Long  Wharf,  &  a  member  of  the 
East  Society  Committee,  as  well  as  Distributor  of  the  Charities  in 
our  Society.  An  attentive,  honest  man.  The  Minister  of  Beverly 
exchanges  with  the  minister  of  the  Tabernacle  in  this  town  to  pre- 
vent the  unseasonable  visits  of  their  minister. 

•The  command  was  first  offered  to  Capt.  Joseph  Waters  who  had  sitperintended  the 
construction  of  the  frigate. 


1799]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  323 

13.  1  rode  to  Chebacco  in  company  with  Capt.  Hawthorne*  & 
the  Misses  Manning,  to  be  present  at  the  ordination  of  their  Minis- 
ter, Josiah  Webster.  'Mr.  Cleveland  continued  above  half  a  Cen- 
tury with  them  but  as  he  came  among  them  in  an  high  quarrel,  he 
was  apprehensive  of  their  disunion.  His  free  comnumicatiou  of 
his  thoughts  upon  this  subject  had  the  most  happy  effect.  The 
tirst  Candidate,  &  even  at  his  first  appearance  in  the  pulpit,  had 
their  imanimous  appreciation.  The  Council  declared  their  own 
equal  concurrence,  consisting  of  16  Churches.  On  the  day  before 
the  ordination,  the  Council  met  &  did  all  the  business  preparatory 
to  the  public  services  &  between  10  &  11  A.  M.  proceeded  to  the 
Meeting  House,  which  is  handsomely  finished  tho'  in  that  block 
style  which  gives  too  great  heaviness.  The  Services  were  intro- 
duced by  an  Anthem.  Mr.  Adams  of  Haverhill  prayed,  Mr.  Pea- 
body  of  Atkinson  preached,  Mr.  Dana  of  Ipswich  performed  the 
Ordaining  prayer,  Mr.  Frisby  of  Ipswich  gave  the  fellowship,  after 
the  charge  by  Rev.  Tappan  of  Kingston,  &  Mr.  Kelly  of  Chester 
made  the  closing  prayer.  We  had  an  elegant  dinner  at  Mr.  Daniel 
Low's  near  the  Meeting  House. 

16.  Attended  to  the  removal  of  the  body  of  W.  Shattuck  of 
Boston,  from  Watch  House  point  to  the  Tomb  of  Capt.  E.  Allen. 

17.  Sunday.  M''  Judson  of  Wenham  has  made  a  private  set- 
tlement with  Wenham  &  will  leave  his  charge.  He  first  plead 
health  &  then  want  of  support.  The  first  Church  in  Marblehead 
are  in  strange  disaffection  with  Revd.  M""  Hubbard.  It  began  on 
the  subject  of  Salary.  Many  families  have  forsaken  him  so  that 
his  situation  begins  to  be  uncomfortable.  Notes.  Susanna  Mason 
&  children,  d.  of  her  Husband,  pr.  for  Son  absent.  Thomas  Ma- 
son, d.  of  his  Brother  Jonathan,  pr.  for  Widow  Sister.  W.  Susanna 
Babbidge,  d.  of  her  Son  in  law  Mason,  pr.  for  D.  Mason  in  her  in- 
firmities. ^Martha  Babbidge,  d.  of  her  B.  in  law  Mason,  pr.  for 
friends  absent.  Joshua  Phippen  &  family,  pr.  for  youngest  d. 
sick  &  for  4  of  family  absent.  Hanna  Murray,  delivery,  pr.  for 
Husband  at  Sea. 

18.  M"^  Joseph  Cabot,  set.  26,  was  this  day  brought  to  Salem 
from  Boston  to  be  buried.  His  uncommon  intemperance  has  has- 
tened his  ruin.  He  was  thrown  into  Convulsions  and  died  in  that 
State.  The  fraternity  attended  his  funeral.  He  has  left  a  wife  & 
two  children  &  an  handsome  estate. 

20.  A  son  of  my  friend  Shattuck  dined  with  me,  John,  a  Mid- 
shipman on  board  the  Essex  under  Capt.  Prebble.  The  careless- 
ness of  tiring  guns  near  the  Town  visible  in  that  a  gun  was  dis- 
charged near  the  houses  this  afternoon  &  into  the  room  at  which  I 
was  engaged,  a  ball  entered  &  passed  between  persons  sitting  be- 
fore the  fire  &  spent  its  force  upon  the  bricks  of  the  Chimney.  Boys 
upon  the  ice  of  the  pond  for  the  first  time  this  morning. 

'Probably  Capt.  Natbaniel,  the  father  of  the  "Romancer." 


324  DiAEY  OF  ,  [Dec. 

24.  Sunday.  Note.  Stephen  Cloutman  &  wife,  her  delivery, 
Brother  at  Sea.  This  day  at  noon,  Wm.  Story,  father  of  Revd. 
Story,  died  at  Marblehead,  suddenly,  aet.  80. 

28.  Thanksgiving.  Applied  the  CXXXVI  Psalm  in  the  Lec- 
ture. The  contribution  amounted  to  108  Dollars  &  as  the  reserve 
has  been  oftener  lost  by  unforeseen  incidents  than  happily  appro- 
priated, it  was  agreed  to  distribute  the  whole  without  any  reserve. 

December  1  [1799].  Sunday.  Note.  Abigail  Rogers  &  Chil- 
dren upon  sudden  death  of  Martha  Perkins  who  had  lived  with 
them  from  her  first  marriage.  M"^  Pulling,  Attorney  at  Law  &  late 
Master  of  our  Lodge,  died  at  4  P.  M.  He  has  been  long  in  a  de- 
ranged, enfeebled  &  even  stupid  habit,  from  evident  paralytic  af- 
fections, set.  43. 

3.  Was  the  funeral  of  our  worthy  Master.  The  Brethren  were 
in  procession  &  there  was  a  Service  at  the  Grave.  The  Address 
was  in  the  Lodge  upon  our  return,  &  the  Lodge  was  kept  open  from 
three  o'clock  P.  M.  to  nine,  for  makings,  business,  and  choice  of 
Officers. 

4.  Died  in  this  Town,  Andrew  Oliver,  Esq.,  a  Philosopher, 
Judge,  &  good  man,  set.  68.  He  has  been  confined  to  his  house, 
first  by  the  gout  &  then  by  other  indisposition,  so  that  I  have  not 
ever  seen  him  abroad  for  the  16  years  I  have  lived  in  Salem. 

7.  M'  Adams  with  me  from  Medfield,  &  M''  Emerson,  our  Mis- 
sionary from  the  Isles  of  Shoals.  He  states  the  whole  at  18  fami- 
lies, about  100  souls.  Judge  Oliver  was  buried  yesterday,  &  M" 
Whitefoot  this  day. 

8.  Sunday.  M''  Emerson,  late  Ch.  at  the  Castle,  preached  all 
day.  Notes.  The  four  daughters  of  M"  Whitefoot,  d.  of  their 
mother,  pr.  Br.  at  Sea.  Lydia  Herrick  &  her  parents,  for  her  dang, 
sick  M*"  Adams  of  Medfield,  father  of  eel.  Hannah  Adams  with 
me  all  day. 

9.  Went  with  Emerson  to  his  home  at  Reading.  From  him  I 
find  that  the  largest  Isle  of  Shoals  is  not  inhabited.  The  Island 
upon  which  the  Meeting  House  stood,  &  in  which  Tuck  was  minis- 
ter, has  the  greatest  number  of  inhabitants  &  Hayley's  Island  has 
that  Proprietor,  his  Sons  &  Dependents,  about  in  all  100  souls. 

12.  For  the  first  time  our  Fire  Club  had  a  dinner  instead  of  the 
Annual  Supper.     Only  one  member  disapproved  of  the  change. 

13.  Becket  launched  a  Ship*  this  day  for  the  Sons  of  John 
Gardner. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Barnabas  Herrick  &  wife,  d.  of  their 
daughter.  Robert  Richardson  &  wife.  Child  sick.  A  broken  Cler- 
gyman, Steward  of  the  Ship  Essex.  He  boasts  that  having  served 
out  spiritual  things  he  is  now  employed  about  carnal  things. 

18.  Notice  of  my  election  as  Grand  Chaplain,  in  the  Centinel 
of  this  day.     A  child  from  this  town  going  to  Andover,  suffocated 

•  Ship  Hazard. 


1799]  WILLIAM  BEKTLEY,  D.   D.  325 

by  warm  &  dose  cloathing.     The  same  kind  of  accident  on  the  same 
spot  happened  last  year. 

19.  The  appointment  of  G.  Chaplain  was  acceptable  as  it  might 
convince  my  enemies  that  they  had  not  effectually  seperated  me 
from  my  friends,  as  they  attempted  by  the  grossest  falsehoods. 
Capt.  Swett,  this  week,  coming  in,  struck  upon  Hardy's  Hocks,  but 
the  vessel  &  Cargo  escaped  without  great  loss. 

22.  Sunday.  Ifotes.  Joshua  Phippen,  wife  &  children,  d.  of 
D.  Eunice,  pr.  for  two  Sons  at  Sea.  Robert  Richardson  &  wife, 
d.  of  his  G.  S.  Rob.  Evoy. 

23.  This  evening  the  News  reached  this  town  of  the  DEATH 
OF  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

24.  Notice  was  taken  of  this  Great  Event,  by  the  tolling  of  the 
Bells  at  Sunrise,  by  hoisting  the  flags  half-mast,  by  discharge  of 
Cannon,  &  by  ceasing  from  Business. 

27.  St.  John's  Day  was  celebrated  by  the  Brethren  in  private  & 
a  Committee  chosen  to  confer  with  the  committees  of  yesterday.  In 
my  address,  I  laid  before  the  Lodge  the  state  of  Illuminatism.  In 
the  Collections  I  obtained  thirty  Dollars  to  relieve  Brother  Jasper 
Bentley,  educated  at  Providence,  a  Schoolmaster  &  Preacher,  who 
lay  sick  ten  mouths  at  Revd.  Asahel  Huntingto»'B,  Topsfield,  & 
these  thirty  Dollars  are  for  the  balance  of  his  account.  The  other 
charities  were  16  Dollars  for  three  Widows. 

28.  The  grand  [lodge]  have  recommended  a  crape  with  an  new 
blue  ribband.  The  Mechanic  Society,  Boston,  crape  with  a  green 
ribband.  The  Several  Institutions  have  their  badges.  The  young 
Ladies  of  this  Town,  a  badge  on  the  arm  with  the  initials  G.  W. 
The  Salem  Committees  have  resulted  in  calling  a  Town  ISIeeting, 
The  sentiments  of  respect  to  G.  W.  are  general. 

29.  Sunday.  The  Solemnities  of  this  Day  were  appropriate. 
The  Bells  only  Tolled.  The  Assemblies  were  filled.  The  subject 
was  Washington.  Every  honour  was  bestowed  upon  him  from  the 
pulpit  &  all  the  motives  of  gratitude  were  enforced.  Note.  Andrew 
English  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child. 

31.  Monday  evening  the  Committee  requested  that  I  would  de- 
liver the  oration  on  Thursday  next,  the  Eulogy  on  Washington.  The 
affection  I  have  for  the  character  would  urge  any  duty  but  the 
time  is  too  short  to  do  justice  to  the  subject.  D'  Hay  dined  with 
me  and  requested  my  visit  to  Reading  on  this  occasion.  I  con- 
sented, but  they  had  determined  on  Thursday.  They  were  to 
make  new  arrangements.  Preparations  everywhere  for  Eulogies  & 
funeral  processions.  W^  T.  Paine  at  Newburyport  to  be  the  orator. 
At  Cape  Ann,  they  formed  a  procession  &  prayers  were  performed 
by  the  Rev*^  M'  Forbes.  The  same  tokens  of  respect  prevail  every- 
where. In  Salem,  they  have  voted  to  print  all  the  sermons  of  last 
Sunday  delivered  in  the  Tovra,  to  erect  a  monument,  &c,  &c,  &c. 

Jan.  2,  1800.     The  Day  of  MOURNING  IN  SALEM  UPON 


326  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

THE  D.  or  WASHINGTON.  It  was  general,  in  great  good  order, 
&  with  honour  to  the  Town.  The  people  assembled  at  the  Court 
House.  The  Cadets  did  the  military  Honours  &  led  the  procession. 
The  Inhabitants  were  classed  according  to  their  age  in  four  classes 
attended  by  four  marshalls.  The  procession  moved  at  eleven  by  the 
way  of  Church  and  Brown  streets  to  the  Common,  then  by  Newbury 
Street  into  Essex  Street  &  then  upwards  to  Beckford  street,  then 
by  Federal  Street  into  North  Street,  to  the  North  Meeting  House. 
Then  after  prayers  by  T>^  Bernard,  was  the  oration.  The  music 
was  altogether  instrumental,  as  the  masters  of  the  Choirs  were  pre- 
vented from  vocal  music  by  the  duties  of  the  Day.  Minute  guns 
were  fired  on  the  Common  by  the  Artillery  &  all  the  bells  in  Town 
were  tolled.  The  Elags  displayed  at  half  mast.  The  concourse 
was  great,  but  the  greatest  order  was  seen  in  all  the  solemnities.  A 
few  hours  of  preparation  must  be  an  excuse  for  him  who  thinks  no 
human  talents  can  do  justice  to  W. 

3.  Went  to  Reading  to  attend  with  the  Military  Ofl&cers  &  the 
Lodge  of  Mount  Moriah  in  the  processions  expressive  of  their  sym- 
pathy upon  the  death  of  Washington.  A  good  dinner  was  pro- 
vided in  the  house  where  the  Lodge  meets,  &  after  dinner  at  two 
o'clock  the  procession  formed  to  go  to  the  meeting  house.  The  chil- 
dren of  the  School  were  first  in  the  procession  then  the  citizens  ac- 
companied with  the  Magistrates  &  Clergy.  Then  such  citizens  as 
had  a  military  uniform,  with  their  ofiicers,  then  the  Lodge,  &  the 
Officers  with  the  Orator.  The  procession  had  a  muffled  drum,  bass 
viol,  violins,  flutes,  &c.  The  prayers  &  service  were  accompanied 
with  vocal  Church  music.  After  the  public  services  the  brethren  & 
principal  Characters  returned  to  the  Lodge  in  which  the  Masonic  fu- 
neral service  was  performed  by  the  Master  and  Wardens.  The  Lodge 
was  prepared  with  mourning.  Every  part  was  covered  &  all  the 
badges  properly  prepared  on  the  occasion.  After  the  services  I 
represented  to  the  case  of  Illuminatism  &  we  left  the  Lodge  at  six 
o'clock.  I  drank  tea  at  Rev*^  Prentice's  &  we  spent  the  evening 
agreably  together  at  Esq.  Cordis'  near  the  Pond. 

4.  News  that  Henry  White  is  cast  away  upon  Long  Island. 
That  William  Bowditch,  S.  of  Hab  :  B.,  has  died  in  the  West  Indies. 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Collins,  d.  of  her  Father  James  Col- 
lins, pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  This  James  Collins  was  a  mariner  in 
United  States  service.*  Sarah  Shehane,  d.  of  her  Br.  in  Law,  James 
Collins,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  John  Collins,  d.  of  his  Br.  James  Col- 
lins, pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Sarah  Hill,  d.  of  her  Br.  James  Collins,  pr. 
for  friends  at  Sea.  Mary  Martin  &  Sister,  d.  of  their  Brother  Wil- 
liam Bowditch,  &  pr.  for  their  Br.  Nath.  Bowditch  at  Sea.  This 
William  Bowditch  was  a  youth  of  distinguished  piety,  &  good  infor- 
mation, &  his  death  was  upon  his  first  voyage  to  Sea.  He  had  been  a 
Shopkeeper,  but  wished  a  more  active  &  more  lucrative  employment 

*ln  the  frigate  Constitution. 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  327 

6.  The  Celebration  at  Marblehead  was  on  the  same  day  with 
Salem.  A  young  Mr.  Story  delivered  the  Oration.  We  hear  of  the 
death  of  D.  Rogers  Esq*"  the  principal  Merchant  in  Cape  Ann.  He 
died  suddenly.     He  had  a  good  estate  &  many  Children. 

7.  The  Bill  of  Mortality  for  Salem  in  1799  gives  169  Deaths, 
79  males  &  90  females,  upon  a  population  of  9400  inhabitants.  Of 
these   dead,  53  are  marked  as   dying  of  consumptions,   &    17   of 

Fevers. 

8.  We  have  lost  several  vessels  by  French  Privateers.  I  went 
to  Boston  to  see  the  procession  in  Honour  of  Gen.  Washington,  hav- 
ing heard  much  of  the  funeral  honours  to  Hancock  &  Sumner.  But 
I  prefer  the  melancholy  silence  &  the  mournful  countenance  of 
Salem  to  the  rabble  rout  of  Boston  which  cannot  be  quiet  from 
point  of  devotion.  The  Orator,  Judge  Minot,  did  himself  honour. 
Eay,  Fay,  &  Eaton  performed  the  vocal  solos  of  the  Music  well.  I 
returned  the  same  day.  The  Masons  were  offended  &  have  deferred 
their  appearance  till  22  Feb.  &  have  appointed  a  large  Committee 
for  the  purpose. 

10.  Plain  Truth  appeared  in  the  Salem  Gazette.  I  wrote  this 
in  opposition  to  vulgar  prejudice.  Perkins'  medal  of  Washington 
exposed  for  sale.  A  Mrs.  Stevens,  who  formerly  lived  in  our  So- 
ciety, died  lately  at  Windham,  Maine,  in  her  94'''  year,  at  her  Son 
in  Law's  Barker. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Mary  Hutchinson  sick,  pr.  for  two 
Sons  abroad.  Wid.  Mary  Knap  with  her  children,  d.  of  g.  child, 
pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea,  Wm.  Hastings  born  in  Boston. 

12.  Paid  Mr.  Huntington  of  Topsfield,  the  thirty  dollars  as 
signed  for  the  relief  of  Mr.  Jasper  Bentley.  Said  Bentley  is  now 
said  to  be  in  Attleborough,  Mass.  The  Town  at  their  adjournment 
have  voted  to  raise  in  Salem  6000  D.  to  be  appropriated  in  funeral 
&  other  honours  to  Gen.  Washington.  Only  100  copies  of  the  Ser- 
mon are  to  be  printed  at  the  expence  of  Salem  &  of  these,  10  copies 
are  to  be  given  to  each  of  the  6  ministers  &  the  remaining  40  to  be 
left  with  the  keeper  of  the  Social  Library  to  be  lent  to  such  as  can- 
not purchase.  Each  Society  will  now  defray  their  own  expences, 
which  is  better  than  the  former  expensive  &  injudicious  distribution. 

14.  The  Town  have  adopted  the  mode  of  consent  to  be  taxed  for 
all  sums,  or  six  thousand  dollars,  as  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of 
Washington. 

19.  Sunday.  For  the  Communion  Plate  100  dollars  has  been 
idised.  The  Charge  is  expected  to  be  120  dollars.  Mr.  Browne 
took  out  for  the  services  &  charges  28.  42  cents,  not  included  in  the 
100  dollars.  Mr.  Pratt  tells  me  Mr.  Forsyth,  a  Scotchman,  preaches 
in  Orford.  Capt.  Pratt  is  a  Member  of  the  N.  H.  Legislature. 
Eevd.  Mr.  Hubbard's  affairs  in  his  Parish  have  become  desperate. 
His  Parish  have  refused  to  augment  his  Salary  beyond  150£  or 
500  D.,  &  he  assures  them  he  must  decline  the  pastoral  relation  in 


328  DiAKY  OF  [Jan. 

Marblehead.     A  Mr.  Dow  supplies  Wenham,  who  have  dismissed 
Judson  by  contract.     Upper  Beverly  is  supplied  by  a  Mr.  Stone. 

20.  A  subscription  paper  in  this  Town  for  a  new  Gazette  by  Mr. 
Carlton  who  formerly  printed  in  this  Town.  In  proposing  to  print 
all  the  Sermons  of  Salem,  the  Town  has  tied  a  Stone  to  their  Ora- 
tion &  has  sunk  it  forever.* 

21.  Capt.  Waters,  from  the  ferry  near  where  is  now  Beverly 
Bridge,  tells  that  in  his  Youth  Mr.  John  Symonds  used  frequently 
to  take  the  Bass  near  that  place  &  the  Bar,  preserving  the  black 
lobster  for  its  hardness  as  bait.  He  says  he  caught  the  Whiting 
last  year  with  [in]  the  Islands.  He  observed  the  difference  in  the 
Clams  above  &  below  the  point  where  the  Bridge  now  is.  Those 
below  in  the  mud  &  gravel,  are  small  while  those  towards  Horton's 
point  are  large,  sweet  &  of  a  much  finer  shell. 

22.  Visited  in  Company  with  Capts.  Becket,  &  Ward,  &  Miss 
Betsey  Becket,  the  seat  of  Capt.  Jona  Ingersoll,  Danvers.  As  the 
weather  was  cold  we  could  not  inform  ourselves  of  the  extensive 
prospects  from  the  hill.  The  Building  is  handsome  &  commodious. 
The  heads  of  the  family  were  absent  but  we  had  every  attention 
from  M>ry.  All  the  Pablit  Societies  have  agreed  to  hava  kheir 
Eulogies  on  a  day  preceding  the  22*^  of  February,  that  this  day  may 
be  reserved  for  private  devotion  &  domestic  grief. 

23.  Saw  Mr.  J.  Lendrum,  the  author  of  the  compiled  History  of 
the  American  Eevolution ,  &  the  Author  of  Morse's  Gazetteer.  The 
poor  man  views  himself  as  oppressed  &  has  been  deranged.  He 
thinks  he  can  at  Law  recover  his  right  in  the  Gazetteer.  Mr.  Dab- 
ney  furnished  me  with  a  pile  of  French  papers. 

26.  Sunday.  Note.  Jon*  Mason  &  family,  d.  of  his  Eldest  son, 
pr.  for  friends  abroad. 

February  1  [1800].  John  Skillings,  an  eminent  Carver  in  Boston, 
died  suddenly  Jan.  28,  aet.  54.  This  man  has  long  been  known  in 
this  branch,  particularly  by  our  Seamen,  in  all  our  Seaport  Towns. 

2.  Sunday.  Notes.  Margaret  Strout,  d.  of  her  Son,  Benj.  Dor- 
rell,  pr.  for  husb.  at  Sea.  Hannah  Pierson,  d.  of  her  Sister  Strout 's 
Son,  pr.  for  her  Son  &  Br.  abroad.  Martha  Harrington,  her  delivery, 
pr.  for  her  husband  abroad.  Joanna  Webb,  delivery,  pr.  for  hus- 
band &  brethren  at  Sea.  Andrew  Ward  &  Wife,  her  delivery,  pr. 
for  their  Brethren  &  friends  at  Sea. 

4.  A  melancholy  event  arrested  the  public  attention  this  morn- 
ing. A  married  woman  named  Mack,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
Town,  of  ill  fame,  &  whose  husband  has  been  alienated  by  her  im- 
prudence &  married  abroad,  delivered  herself  on  Sunday  in  the 
time  of  the  morning  service.  The  families  in  the  house  were 
alarmed  by  appearances  &  finally  on  this  day  applied  to  the  Over- 
seers  of  the  Poor.  They  went  to  the  house  &  found  the  child 
weighing  8  1/2  lb.  sewed  up  in  a  bag,  &  concealed  in  the  straw  bed 

*Dr.  BeDtley'B  oration  was  never  printed. 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  829 

upon  which  the  woman  lay.  The  physicians  determined  that 
the  child  had  been  alive  &  the  Jury  of  Inquest,  that  it  perished  by 
wilful  neglect.  The  woman  is  attended  by  an  officer,  till  she  can 
be  removed.  There  have  been  several  examples,  even  in  good  fam- 
ilies, of  unexpected  deliveries,  but  none  in  married  life. 

6.  Was  buried,  Peggy  Perkins,  eldest  D.  of  the  Widow  Orne, 
aet.  25.  A  young  Lady  of  pleasing  accomplishments  &  of  a  lovely 
mind.  A  new  singing  School  begun.  Success  doubtful.  Frequent 
examples  of  papers  lost  from  the  Post  Office. 

7.  New  E.  more  than  ever  abounds  in  Catchpenny  productions. 
Catchpenny  Sermons,  Eulogies,  music,  &c.  are  in  every  shop.  Dr. 
Morse  is  for  the  present  done  with  the  stale  work  of  Illuminatism, 
&  now  he  has  for  sale,  sermons  on  the  d.  of  W.  Characters  of 
Washington  &  W.  addresses  all  turn  to  profit,  not  a  thought  upon 
the  reputation  of  the  Country.  Then  come  out  the  proclamations 
of  the  Gazettes,  not  a  word  in  France  about  our  Country,  so  dear 
to  itself  &  so  deservedly  dear  to  the  world. 

9.  Sunday.  Mr.  Stone,  who  has  been  so  long  preaching  in  up- 
per Beverly,  has  engaged  in  the  New  Proprietor's  Academy  in 
NoiiJi  Andover.  Exeter  N.  H.,  Academy  iis  riiiinij'  in  Fame.  Sev- 
eral Youth  have  gone  to  it  from  this  Town.  Young  Tuckerman  & 
Salisbury,  of  rich  families  in  Boston,  are  Candidates  for  the  minis- 
try. Tuckerman  has  preached.  It  is  very  rare  to  find  rich  families 
giving  their  children  to  the  ministry.  These  are  families  which 
have  lately  risen  by  industry  &  the  success  of  the  present  genera- 
tion. 

10.  Went  for  Boston  with  our  Tiler,  Mr.  Simon  Lamb,  whom  I 
carried  with  me  as  a  reward  for  his  very  faithful  services  in  the 
Lodge. 

11.  Was  the  day  of  Masonic  procession.  My  part  was  in  the 
funeral  service  which  was  accomodated  to  the  Solemn  Occasion. 
We  left  the  Procession  after  6  o'clock,  having  been  assembled 
above  seven  hours.  I  supped  with  Paul  Revere,  an  antient  past 
G.  Master,  &  we  had  a  select  company.  Isaiah  Thomas  the  Father 
of  the  Press  in  New  England,  &  who  has  aided  its  improvements  & 
carried  the  extent  of  the  Business  beyond  any  man  in  America,  who 
also  is  high  in  Masonic  honours,  was  with  us.  So  also  was  Mr. 
Perkins  of  Newburyport,  so  eminent  for  his  Mechanic  genius,  &  on 
this  occasion  so  well  known  by  his  excellent  medals,  in  a  great  var- 
iety, of  our  General  Washington.  He  has  also  executed  with  great 
success,  a  Medallion  on  the  same  interesting  occasion.  In  addition 
to  our  company,  we  had  the  ingenious  Mr.  Reynolds,  who  formed 
the  admirable  Urn  &  weeping  innocent,  which  was  displayed  with 
so  great  success  by  the  Brethren  for  the  public  admiration.  He  ex- 
hibited for  our  entertainment  several  busts  in  artificial  Stone, 
which  had  great  effect  &  were  honorable  to  his  talents  &  peculiarly 
expressive  of  the  true  countenance  of  our  departed  general.     This 


330  DiABY  OF  [Feb. 

was  a  Feast  upon  our  Solemnities,  which  the  most  exalted  genius 
might  enjoy  with  enthusiasm. 

12.  My  good  friend  Lamb  went  with  me  to  see  the  Museum.* 
He  was  greatly  captivated  with  the  China  Clocks  &  movements. 
The  fine  paintings,  such  as  are  not  commonly  seen  in  America,  & 
the  few  specimens  in  natural  history  attracted  my  eyes  &  my  heart. 
The  whole  effect  is  lessened  by  the  want  of  arrangement,  by  the 
monstrous  excess  of  wax  figures,  &  the  absurd  appearance  of  the 
whole  in  one  view.  Still  it  is  a  wonderful  beginning  in  our  Coun- 
try. In  the  afternoon  I  returned  to  Salem.  Expences  at  Boston, 
&c.  Paid  Hall  printer  4.25 ;  Hagen  for  Bass  Viol  Strings  1.90 ; 
Medal  for  Lamb  3.50  ;  Exp.  in  Stage  3.00 ;  My  father  for  papers  3.00; 
Left  in  Family  3.00  ;  Visit  to  Museum  1.00  ;  Exp.  for  L.  at  Theatre, 
&c.  1.00.     The  whole  amounting  to  20  D.  65  Cents. 

14.  Last  Tuesday  night  the  friends  of  Hannah  Mack  made  forci- 
ble entry  into  the  Goal  in  this  town  &  rescued  the  prisoner.  This 
act  of  violence  is  abhorred  by  the  quiet  citizens,  &  advertisements 
to  apprehend  the  prisoner  &  the  men  who  made  such  forcible  entry 
are  in  the  Gazette. 

16.  Sunday.  This  morning,  before  8, 1  was  present  in  the  last 
moments  of  Anna  Lane,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Lane.  A  most 
worthy  mother.  The  Ministers  are  not  well  agreed  how  to  spend 
next  Saturday,  the  day  assigned  by  Congress  to  commemorate  Wash- 
ington. 

18.  Noah  Webster,  that  literary  Quack,  has  written  an  answer 
to  Dr.  Priestley.  He  has  also  attacked  Jimmy  Tytler  on  the  pesti- 
lence, having  compiled  a  Book  on  the  same  subject  which  he  thinks 
better.  There  is  no  Gazette  scribbler  who  does  not  think  himself 
equal  to  any  writing  against  Priestley.     So  impudent  is  party. 

19.  The  Gov.'s  proclamation  has  appeared  offering  a  reward  to 
apprehend  the  persons  who  violently  entered  the  goal  in  Salem. 
Judge  Dana  took  notice  in  his  charge  at  Boston  of  the  restless 
aliens  who  are  spreading  their  disorganising  principles,  «Si:c. 

21.  Saw  Mr.  Fisher  Ames'  Eulogy  on  Washington  delivered  be- 
fore the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts.  It  is  not  in  an  equal  style 
nor  is  all  its  imagery  happy.  He  has  not  fairly  stated  the  European 
Opinions  respecting  America,  even  in  its  glory.  His  Counter  de- 
scription is  false  &  injurious.  The  exception  in  favour  of  Massa- 
chusetts is  not  true  in  the  comparison.  The  change  at  the  acces- 
sion of  Washington  to  the  chair  of  president,  was  not  real.  His  ac- 
count of  France  is  in  the  spirit  of  Party,  blending  good  and  bad  to- 
gether &  his  history  of  Jacobinism  is  of  the  same  complexion.  The 
Praise  of  Epaminondas,  who  is  considered  as  "  perhaps  the  bright- 
est name  of  all  antiquity,"  cannot  agree  to  Washington. 

Saturd.     Feb.  22.     The  Day  of  National  Sorrow,  &  public 

GRIEF    UPON    THE    DEATH    OF    WASHINGTON.       The    ReligioUS    ExCr- 
•  Bowen's  Columbian  Museum. 


1800]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  331 

cises  of  this  Town  on  this  day  were,  Dr.  Bernard  &  Prince  had 
prayers  &  read  Ws  address.  Mr.  Hopkins  prayers  &  discourses. 
Mr.  Fisher  read  prayers  at  Church  &  Savage  gave  an  Eulogy.  At 
our  House  we  had  prayers  &  an  address.  All  there  at  10  A.  M.  to- 
gether. In  the  Evening  Spaulding  had  a  Sermon  at  3  P.  M.,  ag. 
keeping  the  day. 

23.  Sunday.  Note.  Nicholas  Lane  &  family,  d.  of  his  wife,  & 
pr.  for  Son  in  Law  at  Sea.  The  day  was  pleasant  &  it  finished  my 
Eighth  service  upon  the  death  of  Washington,  &  the  public  mourn- 
ing of  the  Congregation. 

March  2  [1800].  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Preston  &  Children, 
d.  of  her  Husband,  pr.  for  son  &  g.  son  at  Sea.  John  Collins  & 
wife,  d.  repeatedly  of  sons  Abroad,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Marg.  White, 
d.  of  her  Br.  in  Law  Preston,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Samuel  Ropes 
&  wife  &  children,  d.  of  eldest  Son  abroad,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  We 
have  been  entertained  by  the  preaching  of  a  Blind  Woman,  who  it 
is  said,  has  done  wonderful  things  in  Hamilton.  New  Silver  Flag- 
ons first  upon  the  Comm,  Table. 

5.  Mr.  Hubbard  in  his  Letter  from  Berwick,  28  Feb.,  tells  me 
that  he  was  upon  the  River  St.  Francis.  That  from  the  Field  Book 
of  the  Surveyor  he  found  Memphremagog,  nearly  north  &  south, 
about  19  miles  long  &  from  3  to  5  broad.  "  It  is  circumscribed 
with  a  remarkably  fine  tract  of  Country,  covered  with  a  heavy- 
growth  of  Timber,  such  as  rock  maple,  black  &  yellow  birch,  &  ash. 
Almost  the  whole  of  the  Land  is  located  &  a  great  part  of  it  settled." 
Vermont  Line  embraces  about  4  1/2  miles  of  the  southern  part  of 
the  Lake.  A  great  plenty  of  fish,  such  as  pike,  what  we  call  pick- 
erel, white  fish,  &  Trout.  A  trout  of  25  lb.  was  taken  out  this  sea- 
son, &  they  have  been  taken  of  much  greater  size.  This  is  the 
greatest  source  of  the  River  St.  Francis,  which  flows  gently  about 
forty  miles  into  the  St.  Lawrence  at  the  parish  of  St.  Francis,  which 
is  on  what  is  called  Lake  St.  Peter,  20  french  Leagues  below  Mont- 
real, The  parish  is  large  &  is  considered  as  one  of  the  richest  in 
the  Province.  At  the  head  of  this  Parish,  about  four  leagues  from 
Lake  St.  Peter,  is  an  Indian  Village  in  which  he  resided  two  days. 
From  thence  to  Lake  Memphremagog  the  country  is  thinly  inhabited 
but  a  good  road  was  cut  last  season  to  Connecticut  river  which 
saves  100  miles  in  travelling  to  Quebec. 

7.  The  Salem  Gazette  talks  of  a  Company  under  the  name  of 
Washington  Light  Infantry.  The  plan  is  proposed  for  the  public 
convenience. 

9.  Sunday.  A  Deacon  of  the  third  Church  told  me  that  it  had 
been  under  consideration  to  promote  a  mutual  agreement  for  the 
change  of  ministers  between  their  church  &  the  Tabernacle,  on  oc- 
casional services,  but  that  their  Church  had  refused  in  consequence 
of  the  excentric  conduct  of  the  Tabernacle  minister  on  22  Feb.  He 
then  after  having  attempted  to  put  all  services  aside,  being  sup- 


332  DIAEY  OP  [March 

ported  by  two  members,  had  their  consent  to  fix  the  hour  &  to 
change  the  exercises  into  a  Lecture.  He  then  inveighed  against 
birth  days  &  the  proceedings  on  the  day  &  closed  his  services.  A 
man  without  judgment.  Note.  Enoch  Swett  &  Wife,  d.  of  his 
Brother  in  New  Hampshire. 

14.  Mr.  W.  Cabot's  Estate  in  the  old  paved  street,  has  been  sold. 
He  is  a  Batchelor  &  intends  to  remove  to  Boston.  Several  estates 
for  sale.  Hosmer's  on  the  Common.  He  intends  to  return  to  his 
native  place  Norwich,  Conn.  The  Mansion  House  &  wharf  of  late 
Hon.  Richard  Derby  Esq.,  in  Union  Street  &  Derby  S. 

17.  More  troubles  about  the  Singing.  We  must  not  pray,  Open 
thou  our  mouth.  The  Militia  Law  promises  to  give  greater  present 
satisfaction.  No  exemptions  but  of  the  Clergy,  &  they  who  will  not 
appear  in  arms,  shall  work.  The  subject  of  Exempts  has  been  ex- 
tremely odious  in  this  Town. 

18.  The  editor  of  W's  Political  Legacies  boasts  of  4000  Subscri- 
bers. A  more  free  subscription  in  this  Town  than  is  usual.  Few 
things  printed  out  of  Town  have  equal  encouragement.  Cushing 
succeeded  well  with  Millot. 

20.  Prepared  the  Topography  of  Salem  &  sent  it  on  to  Eliot  of 
Boston  in  5  sheets.  It  is  quite  in  an  unprepared  State  &  entirely 
detached  from  the  History. 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mercy  Welman  for  her  d.  Margaret  dang, 
sick.  Mary  Brown,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  son  at  Sea.  The 
New  Catholic  Church  begun  in  Boston  will  be  the  first  in  New  Eng- 
land. Poterie  enjoyed  &  decorated  the  old  Genevan  Church  in  Bos- 
ton. But  the  character  of  Dr.  Matignon  has  long  held  the  public 
confidence,  after  all  the  ill  conduct  of  Poterie,  &  Rousselet,  or  the 
imprudence  of  Thayer. 

24.  The  Ship  America  belonging  to  Crowninshield  reached  Bos- 
ton in  the  Storm  yesterday.  40  Sail  left  the  Vineyard  before  the 
storm.  The  storm  which  begun  on  Saturday,  lasted  above  48  hours, 
the  wind  being  at  N.  E.  A  considerable  quantity  of  Snow  fell,  be- 
sides rain  &  hail. 

26.  A  great  number  of  wild  geese,  &  black  ducks,  brought  from 
Chebaco.     The  ducks  sold  at  1/6  pr.  pair. 

28.  The  Portland  Gazette  attacks  the  proposal  of  Carlton  for  a 
New  Gazette,  as  another  Jacobinical  projection.  Much  is  said  in  the 
Telegraphe  of  the  Essex  Junto  &  in  the  Mercury  there  is  an  address 
to  warn  the  County  of  Essex.     This  is  the  Language  of  party. 

30.  Sunday.  Notes.  Thomas  Rue  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Son  Philip, 
pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Sarah  Kehoue,  d.  of  Brother  P.  Rue,  pr.  for 
husb.  &  Br.  at  Sea.  Thomas  Rue,  jun',  ret.  from  Sea,  d.  of  his  Br. 
P.,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

31.  Now  lay  dead  in  Salem :  a  son  &  only  Son  of  Major  Gen. 
Abbot,  debilitated  by  epilepsy  &  about  12  years  of  age,  &  a  Son  & 
the  only  Son  of  Dr.  Thomas  Bernard,  ruined  by  Litemperance,  above 


>-  C/) 

o  ^ 

o  o 

5  « 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLET,    D.    D.  333 

twenty  six.  Old  Mr.  B.  Ward,  nearly  80,  living  near  the  Prison, 
told  me  that  the  old  prison  was  an  oak  frame  covered  within  with 
oak  plank  &  spiked  &  filled  with  stones.  That  it  stood  till  the  new 
one  was  finished.  That  the  old  one  stood  between  the  New  &  St. 
Peter's  Street,  eastward  of  it,  upon  a  stone  nnderpining.  That  the 
New  Goal  is  made  of  7  inch  timber  hewed  so  as  to  close,  then  cov- 
ered with  iron  plate,  &  planked  upon  all  the  prison  part. 

April  1  [1800].  Derby's  Lot  near  the  Meeting  House,  bet.  Essex 
&  East  Street,  sold  for  850  Dollars  to  S,  Silsbee.  Water  Cresses  at 
Table.     Country  near  generally  free  from  Snow. 

3.  Several  accidents  in  the  Town.  A  girl  lost  an  eye  by  the 
springing  of  an  hoop  pole.  A  Child  kicked  in  the  skull  dangerously 
by  a  horse.  A  Mason  fell  from  a  Ladder.  A  Child  broke  its  arm. 
All  in  the  past  week.  The  persons  are  not  within  my  acquaintance. 
Gen.  Abbot  buried  his  only  Son,  set.  12  years.  He  had  been  epileptic. 
The  procession  was  numerous,  iDut  not  of  such  persons  as  attend  on 
the  proper  days. 

4.  Saw  a  Mr.  Allen,  formerly  of  Beverly,  &  who  lived  on  West 
Beach  farm  before  Mr.  Hovey  took  it.  He  says  he  lives  at  Sedg- 
wick, a  Town  in  Maine,  that  has  Castine  on  the  west  &  Blue  Bay 
on  the  east.  He  says  it  now  contains  2000  inhabitants  or  200  fam- 
ilies, has  a  meeting  House  nearly  finished,  &  Daniel  Merrill  their 
Pastor. 

6.  Sunday.  Note.  Joseph  Preston  returned  from  Sea,  d.  of 
his  father  in  his  Absence.  Professor  Tappan  of  Cambridge  at  Dr. 
Barnard's  this  day.  This  man  is  a  warm  politician,  as  a  federalist, 
&  acceptable  to  the  Calvinists. 

13.  Sunday.  The  death  of  M[argaret]  Welman  was  affecting. 
She  supported  her  prospects  of  dissolution  with  great  calmness  till 
just  before  death.  She  sent  for  me.  With  some  earnestness  she 
asked  prayers.  I  delayed  &  asked  her  to  be  calm,  she  pressed.  A 
derangement  ensued,  &  the  language  of  reproach  on  all  her  friends. 
Nature  agonised  for  a  moment  &  sunk.  She  was  the  most  lovely 
&  the  most  beautiful  girl  I  ever  saw  in  Salem.  Mt.  19.  Note. 
Mercy  Welman  &  children,  death  of  her  d.  Margaret,  Sons  at  Sea. 

15.  A  Sum  for  a  Marine  Insurance  Company  in  Salem  is  filling 
up.  It  is  raised  already  to  200,000  Dollars.  Subscriptions  are  ready 
for  a  larger  sum. 

20.  Sunday.  Dr.  Archelaus  Putnam  of  Danvers,  before  his  death, 
was  persuaded  to  offer  a  humble  confession  of  his  sins  to  the  Con- 
gregation. 

21.  The  weather  has  continued  pleasant  for  a  long  time,  as  sum- 
mer. Children  were  stripping  to  swim  &  the  whole  Coast  is  covered 
with  boats. 

23.  I  obtained  the  Almanacs  of  Mr.  Joseph  Henfield  which  he 
had  kept  for  40  years  from  1760  &  an  Almanac  for  1741,  kept  by 
the  father  of  the' late  Esq' Joseph  Blaney.     These  papers  furnished 


334  DiABY  OF  [April 

my  Day  Book  with  a  complete  account  of  the  Winds,  tides,  ap- 
proach of  fish  to  our  Shores  &  many  useful  dates  in  the  history  of 
Salem.  He  gave  them  with  reluctance  from  the  private  notes  con- 
tained in  them.     He  is  Brother  to  Jonathan  Henfield. 

24.  Upon  the  news  of  the  Death  of  Mr.  James  Dunlap  &  of  his 
funeral  this  day,  I  went  in  the  stage  to  Boston.  I  waited  upon  Dr. 
Eliot,  &  with  him  went  to  the  Thursday  Lecture.  Dr.  Morse 
preached  a  Sermon  well  adapted  to  the  dark  ages.  It  was  the  first 
time  that  I  had  seen  him  in  the  pulpit.  His  voice  was  soft  &  sweet, 
not  strong,  but  approaching  at  times  to  a  tone  peculiar  to  whining 
folks.  I  dined  at  Mr.  Batter's  with  Dr.  Parker,  the  Editor  of  the 
Telegraphe,  who  is  preparing  to  practice  physic  in  Boston.  After 
Dinner  I  went  with  Freeman  to  the  new  room  granted  in  the  State 
House  by  the  general  Court  for  the  Library  of  the  American  Acad- 
emy. It  was  chiefly  a  donation  from  Gov.  Bowdoin.  It  was  then 
prepared  for  its  new  arrangement.  I  attended  the  funeral,  &  then 
christened  the  child  of  Mr,  Dunlap,  &  of  Mr.  Gillis,  his  Brother  in 
Law.  Mr.  Dunlap  has  left  a  most  amiable  widow,  who  was  very 
faithful  to  him.  After  Tea  I  returned  &  enjoyed  the  evening  at  my 
Father's  house,  with  Kev^  D'  Eliot  &  Kev'*  M'  Emerson  &  some 
other  friends. 

25.  After  Breakfast  I  went  to  Mr  Wolcot's  in  Cow  Lane,  now 
High  Street.  This  worthy  member  of  the  Hist.  Society  has  the 
largest  Collection  of  American  Books  I  have  ever  seen.  He  is  a 
Batchelor,  &  this  is  the  horse  he  rides. 

28.  Went  to  Newbury.  My  object  was  of  the  degrees  of  Red 
Cross  &  Templars.  I  spent  an  evening  agreably  with  Mr.  Carey  & 
lodged  at  his  House.  They  are  now  laying  the  foundation  of  a  New 
Episcopal  Church  upon  the  same  spot  on  which  the  old  one  stood. 
While  it  is  building,  Bishop  Bass  officiates  in  the  new  2d  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  which  Mr.  Boddily  preaches.  The  Bp.  begins  at 
9  in  the  morning  &  at  1  in  the  evening.  The  old  Church  think 
also  of  a  New  Building  &  to  leave  the  square  where  the  church  now 
stands,  open.  They  speak  of  a  field  below  Boddily 's.  After  sever- 
al visits,  at  9  I  left  Newbury  &  returned  to  Salem.  At  Ipswich  I 
dined  in  company  with  Mr.  David  Pierce,  the  son,  formerly  of  Cape 
Ann  now  of  Boston.  He  had  been  journeying  with  his  wife  &  Sis- 
ter in  Law  into  New  Hampshire. 

May  1  [1800] .  Last  Friday  died  the  Widow  Elizabeth  Carnes, 
eldest  daughter  of  Hon.  Richard  Derby  Esq'  deceased.  She  died 
at  her  Brother  in  Law's  House,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Prebble,  who  mar- 
ried two  Sisters.  She  was  early  attached  to  Mr.  Carnes  &  all  the 
entreaties  of  her  friends  could  not  prevent  marriage.  But  he  was 
a  Villian,  by  his  vices,  to  waste  her  patrimony  &  to  bring  her  to 
abject  dependance.  Still  she  never  forsook  him  &  in  her  dying 
moments  made  provision  for  his  Mother  out  of  such  estate  as  by  the 
death  of  her  Brother  had  fallen  into  her  hands.     After  the  death  of 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLET,   D.   D.  335 

Mr,  Carnes,  she  was  addressed  by  a  Mr.  S.  Gray  of  Salem,  but  when 
every  thing  was  prepared  for  marriage  Mr.  Gray  excused  himself  & 
Mrs.  Carnes  fell  a  victim  to  her  own  disturbed  feelings  in  this  situ- 
ation. She  was  a  woman  of  a  firm  mind.  Persevering  in  friend- 
ship, pious  in  her  life,  &  in  the  most  trying  scenes  was  undaunted. 
The  last  disappointment  had  its  power  from  her  feeble  constitution. 
But  her  last  hours  were  as  tranquil  as  is  possible  in  the  solemn  ap- 
prehensions of  a  future  &  eternal  existence.  On  Wednesday  died 
Mr.  Joseph  Bowditch,  a  Batchelor.  He  was  educated  as  a  Merchant 
in  the  house  of  Richard  Derby,  but  being  deposed  of  the  estate  of  an 
Uncle  by  the  intrigues  of  a  Female,  he  never  prosecuted  any  busi- 
ness. He  was  well  informed  of  the  neighborhood,  in  private  anec- 
dotes, &  in  local  occurences,  &  there  was  often  an  appeal  to  him  in 
Company.  He  could  make  himself  very  agreable,  but  his  anecdotes 
did  not  always  gain  him  friendship.  Tho'  educated  a  Dissenter,  he 
was  a  zealous  Episcopalian  of  the  English  Church.  Upon  the  death 
of  his  mother  about  3  years  since,  he  retired  to  Middleton,  to  live 
upon  his  little  inheritance,  &  in  that  place  he  died.  I  found  Joseph 
very  useful  in  collecting  domestic  intelligence.  He  was  sincere  in 
his  friendships,  open,  ready  to  serve  &  if  his  whole  character  was 
not  blameless,  so  far  as  his  religion  governed  it,  it  was  excellent. 
He  wrote  a  good  hand,  communicated  his  thoughts  with  ease,  & 
made  to  me  some  happy  remarks  upon  the  conduct  of  his  life.  He 
expected  death  &  was  reconciled  to  it. 

4.  Sunday.  Notes.  Samuel  Derby  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Sister  Carnes. 
James  Archer  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child.  The  New  Meeting  for 
Boddily  gives  a  good  example  of  candour  in  permitting  the  worship 
of  the  Episcopalian  Bishop  in  Xewburyport.  I  am  told  few  of  the 
Presbyterians  attend  the  service.  Boddily  has  done  himself  no 
honour  in  his  discourse  upon  the  death  of  Gen.  Washington.  His 
invectives  against  the  English  Nation  are  too  illiberal  for  any  party, 
especially  from  an  Englishman  who  has  lately  left  the  country  un- 
der suspicious  circumstances.  Even  Priestly  urged  by  persecution 
has  not  been  so  unkind  to  his  native  Country.  Mr.  Hubbard  of 
Marblehead  has  resigned  his  charge.  He  preached  in  this  Town 
this  day.     This  day  is  the  first  of  his  absence  from  them. 

8.  A  Ship  belonging  to  Mr.  Gray  launched  at  New  Mills,  Crane 
River,  Danvers.  Rain  till  noon,  so  that  we  were  deprived  of  the 
sight.  She  passed  Essex  Bridge  next  morning.  She  was  of  400 
Tons.  Plenty  of  fish.  The  boats  not  below  the  Haste  have  re- 
turned with  400  haddock,  &  several  had  good  success  elsewhere. 

12.  Mr.  Carlton  has  published  the  first  n°  of  his  Gazette,  the  Im- 
partial Register,  this  day.  Mr.  W.  Gray  has  four  or  five  of  his 
Vessels  in  Beverly  Harbour  for  the  convenience  of  unlading  at  the 
wharves.  The  publishing  of  another  Gazette  in  Salem  is  a  subject 
of  regret  to  many  persons  who,  confined  to  a  system  of  politics,  con- 
sider the  public  safety  allied  to  their  own  opinions.     The  evils  of 


336  DIARY  OF  [May 

invectives  are  more  serious  when  the  printers  become  competitors 
&  vex  the  town  with  their  own  follies  &  the  follies  of  their  friends. 
The  whole  business  depends  as  it  concerns  the  public  upon  the  men 
who  are  to  conduct  the  Gazettes,  whether  they  have  a  reputation 
to  give  the  public  as  security  for  their  own  good  behavior  or  are  un- 
principled men. 

13.  The  Estate  of  Richard  Derby  was  sold  this  day  in  Lots  at 
the  head  of  Union  Wharf  for  17,000  D.  The  House  was  sold  at 
6020  &  the  lot  behind  it  at  800  Dollars. 

16.  A  curious  adventure  lately  happened  at  Andover,  of  which 
Mr.  Parker  who  detected  the  cheat  gave  me  an  account.  Rev"*  Mr. 
Symmes  of  Andover  has  been  often  perplexed  by  the  excentricity 
of  his  Children.  His  son  Daniel  has  been  absent  in  Virginia  14 
years.  Last  year  he  wrote  to  Daniel  an  account  of  the  death  of  an- 
other Son  &  had  an  answer  in  autumn.  About  a  fortnight  since  a 
young  man  came  to  his  door,  declared  himself  to  be  this  Son 
Daniel,  told  of  the  letter  &  repeated  the  story.  The  Parson  was 
not  convinced  &  denied  the  man  to  be  his  Son.  The  man  continued 
to  insist  &  at  length  the  neighbours  were  alarmed.  The  best  pa- 
rishioners remonstrated  against  the  cruelty  of  a  parent  in  denying 
his  own  Son.  The  Parish  was  convulsed,  &  the  report  spread  still 
further.  All  had  an  opinion  &  it  was  generally  against  the  Parson. 
To  relieve  the  Public  mind  he  consented  to  pay  the  board  of  the 
young  man  till  the  matter  should  be  further  investigated.  He  sent 
to  the  house  some  cloathes,  &  a  comfortable  gown,  &  several  con- 
veniences. Mr.  Parker  undertook  to  discover  the  imposter.  He 
traced  him  at  length  to  the  County  House  in  Ipswich  from  which 
he  had  eloped  after  having  imposed  in  the  same  manner  upon  a 
worthy  family  in  Newburyport,  &  after  having  actually  insisted 
upon  being  the  husband  of  a  woman  whose  husband  had  long  been 
absent,  &  supposed  to  be  lost  at  Sea.  This  fellow  had  the  address 
to  interest  an  whole  society  in  his  favour  &  Mr.  Parker  told  me 
that  when  he  went  to  Johnston's  with  [a]  Constable  the  mistress  of 
family  reproached  the  hardness  of  his  heart.  He  is  now  in  Bride- 
well in  Ipswich.  A  Letter  from  G.  Master  Dunn  upon  the  subject 
of  going  to  Newburyport,  to  lay  the  foundation  of  the  new  Church 
to  be  erected  for  Bishop  Bass. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Ann  Elizabeth  Steuart,  d.  of  her  only 
Brother  &  for  her  husband  at  Sea  &  for  her  Sisters  in  a  foreign 
Country.  She  was  born  in  Portugal  in  Lisbon,  where  her  father 
was  an  English  Merchant.  The  Brother  died  last  September  in 
Leguira  when  on  a  voyage  to  that  port.  The  family  name  was 
Bockman.  Nathaniel  Trow  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  absent 
friends.  Upper  Beverly  have  given  a  call  to  a  Mr.  Stone  to  settle 
in  the  ministry.  Master  Dunn  assures  me  that  he  shall  aid  at  the 
foundation  stone  of  N.  Port. 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEV,   D.   D.  337 

19.  The  affair  of  the  sudden  dismission  of  Mr.  T.  Pickering 
from  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  of  U.  S.  by  President  Adams, 
arrests  the  public  attention.  It  is  an  event  wrapt  in  darkness.  As 
this  Salem  is  his  native  place  it  is  more  interesting  to  the  Citizens. 
All  are  surprised  &  many  glad.  Mr.  P.  was  very  indignant  that  he 
was  obliged  to  resign  his  otfice  as  Adjutant  Gen.  in  the  Am.  War, 
to  Gen.  Washington.  He  uttered  all  his  resentment  ag.  that  great 
man,  but  he  declared  it  was  necessary.  P.  now  has  refused  to  re- 
sign &  has  been  at  once  dismissed. 

20.  The  jNlenhaden  have  come  in  early  this  year.  Salmon  at 
/9d  in  the  Market. 

21.  I  left  Salem  for  Newbury  Port  in  company  with  Major 
Hiller  to  attend  the  G.  Lodge  in  laying  the  Corner  Stone  of  St. 
Peter's  Church  to  be  erected  for  the  Right  Reverend  Bishop  Bass. 
The  season  is  not  far  advanced  but  the  grass  is  plentiful  as  have 
been  the  rains.  We  have  not  yet  forsaken  the  fireside.  A  very 
polite  invitation  from  Mr.  Tyng  introduced  us  to  his  house  where 
we  had  every  attention  &  accomodation.  We  found  every  care  to 
provide  a  plate  &  medal  for  the  stone,  but  nothing  done  for  the 
service.  We  adjourned  to  Col.  John  Tracey's  &  there  the  G.  Lodge 
assigned  me  an  address  which  I  retired  at  10  o'clock  in  the  evening 
to  prepare.  The  Service  &  responses  were  ordered  to  be  printed  im- 
mediately. It  was  first  a  religious  service  with  responses,  then 
jNIasonic  with  a  general  prayer. 

22.  Next  morning  after  the  usual  walks  &  salutations  the  G. 
Lodge  assembled  at  Brother  Gage's  not  far  from  the  Lodge  of  St. 
Peter,  &  there  the  Ceremonies  were  arranged.  M.  W.  Master  Dunn 
&  Revd.  Br.  Harris  led  the  masonic  bands.  The  procession  was 
handsome,  &  the  Music  of  Hautboys,  &  Bass  viols,  &  violins  excel- 
lent iinder  the  celebrated  ]Mr.  Holyoke.  After  the  morning  service 
at  Mr.  Boddily's  by  the  Bishop,  we  passed  several  streets  &  reached 
the  church.  The  ceremonies  of  proving  the  stone  &  depositing  the 
medals  being  over,  the  service  began  with  proper  pauses  for  the 
music,  vocal  &  instrumental  &  then  was  the  address.  We  then  re- 
tired in  due  order  &  had  an  excellent  dinner  at  the  Hall  of  St. 
Peter's  lodge,  &  the  Lodge  adjourned  till  8  in  the  evening.  The 
intermediate  hours  permitted  Br.  Harris  &  myself  to  pay  our  re- 
spects to  the  worthy  ]Mr.  Gary,  &  then  in  his  company  to  take  tea 
at  Dr.  Bass'.  AVe  returned  to  the  lodge  &  after  the  usual  cere- 
monies &  addresses  we  retired  about  11  o'clock.  It  was  Ascention 
day. 

23.  After  Breakfast  in  company  with  Mr.  Tyng  &  Mr.  Hiller, 
I  visited  the  falls  of  the  Pauwau,  a  river  flowing  into  the  ^lerrimac 
between  Salisbury  »&  Almsbury.  We  passed  the  ]\[errimac  Essex 
Bridge,  &  kept  along  through  Salisbury  into  Almsburj-  on  the  lower 
road  &  upon  the  lower  bridge,  &  then  passing  on  our  left  the  Cong. 
Meeting  House  &  the  Presby.  of  one  story  on  our  right,  we  ascen- 


338  DIABY  OF  [May 

ded  to  the  Tails,  whicli  Mr.  Tyng  assured  us  from  careful  admeas- 
urement were  in  their  whole  course  of  half  a  mile,  100  feet.  Our 
first  visit  was  at  the  head  of  the  falls  to  the  Nail  Manufactury  in 
which  we  found  an  enormous  wheel  of  30  feet  diameter,  as  the 
Water  wheel,  with  a  corresponding  width,  floored  below  the  shoots, 
which  are  broken  on  the  imder  side  at  a  considerable  angle  to  re- 
ceive &  discharge  the  water.  Its  cogs  are  of  cast  iron  &  it  plays 
into  cogs  of  the  same  kind  upon  the  lantern,  or  smaller  wheel,  which 
carries  the  spindle  upon  which  all  the  works  in  different  lofts  move. 
There  are  8  cogs  upon  a  piece  &  disposed  with  the  greatest  exact- 
ness. The  water  wheel  cogs  are  to  the  lantern  wheel  about  as  20 
to  one.  In  the  heading  machines  some  work  by  the  same  &  other 
by  two  powers  to  seize  &  to  flatten  the  head.  The  other  works 
are  the  same  as  I  saw  at  the  former  nail  works  on  the  Parker  in 
Newbury,  near  Kowley.  The  Falls  are  so  continued  as  to  afford 
numerous  waterworks.  We  found  Forges,  furnaces  for  the  Ore 
near  to  them,  Linseed  Mills,  grist  mills,  many  saw  mills,  &  cotton 
&  woolen  machines  which  move  by  water.  We  had  not  time  to  as- 
cend the  beautiful  hill  one  mile  above,  but  returned  by  the  upper 
road  through  Salisbury  to  Newbury  Port.  We  found  many  vessels 
upon  the  stocks  &  some  ready  for  launching.  After  this  lovely 
view  we  returned  to  Mr.  Tyng's  &  dined,  &  then  left  for  Salem 
which  we  reached  before  Sundown. 

24.  Mr.  Walsh*  with  me  upon  the  subject  of  his  Mercantile 
Arithmetic.  I  went  with  him  to  the  different  gentlemen  to  whom 
he  was  addressed. 

25.  Sunday.  A  great  change  upon  the  Merrimac  Kiver.  For- 
merly the  most  candid  ministers  called  Arminians,  such  as  Dr. 
Tucker,  Dr.  Webster,  Father  Balch,  the  three  Bernards,  &c.  Now 
their  places  are  filled  with  men  much  inferiour  upon  every  account. 
Dr.  Tappan  while  at  Newbury  officiated  at  one  of  the  Conferences 
held  in  the  evening  by  the  devotees  of  that  place,  in  the  true  style 
of  their  devotion. 

26.  Prepared  a  plan  of  Marblehead  for  Ebeling.  The  Impartial 
Eegister,  Gazette,  laught  openly  at  Pickering.  Two  vessels  were 
launched  in  Salem  last  Saturday. 

28.  In  the  Stage  I  left  Salem  &  reached  Boston  at  9  o'clock.  I 
visited  Nichols  &  White,  my  Book  Sellers,  &  obtained  such  things 
as  they  had  received  for  me.  The  religious  servicesf  of  the  day 
being  performed  I  went  to  Mr.  Isaac  White's  &  dined  with  a  lovely 
family  of  Curtis.  After  dinner  I  spent  the  afternoon  at  Mr.  Free- 
man's in  general  conversation.  In  the  evening  at  the  Baptist  Church 
I  heard  Mr.  Robinson  the  Baptist  Minister  at  Harvard,  &  then  re- 
turned to  my  Father's. 

29.  After  the  usual  salutations  we  attended  the  Convention  Ser- 

*Michael  Walsh,  schoolmaster  and  arithmetician. 
tGeneral  election. 


1800]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  339 

mon  by  Dr.  Lathrop,  &  dined  at  Dr.  Eliot's  with  a  number  of  the 
Clergy.  After  Dinner  I  had  some  pleasing  conversation  with  Broth- 
er Kirkland,  &  in  the  evening  I  heard  the  Celebrated  Nyles  of  Ab- 
ington.  He  prayed  at  the  missionary  Lecture  in  the  Old  South  on 
Tuesday  evening,  which  I  did  not  attend.  This  Missionary  Society 
are  to  propagate  Hopkinsianisra,  &  the  terms  required  of  the  Can- 
didates were  evidences  of  special  grace.  The  meeting  in  Boston  is 
intended  to  aid  their  pecuniary  concerns,  as  not  one  of  the  Boston 
Clergy  are  as  yet  admitted  to  their  Society. 

30.  I  spent  the  morning  with  Thomas  Wolcot,  in  Cow  Lane, 
and  again  looked  upon  the  greatest  Collection  of  American  Books 
in  America.  I  spent  the  morning  in  visiting  the  places  once  famil- 
iar to  my  youth.  I  passed  the  Burying  Grounds,  visited  the  North 
Church,  as  I  had  the  Chapel,  while  Mr.  Freeman  was  performing 
the  Funeral  Service  upon  the  death  of  the  Clerk  of  his  Church.  I 
went  under  the  North  Church  &  found  by  the  Monumental  Inscrip- 
tion upon  Dr.  Cutler  that  he  died  in  1765,  aet.  81  &  is  buried  un- 
der the  alter  of  the  Church.  At  Twelve  the  new  Governour  Strong 
was  received  with  ringing  of  Bells  &  firing  of  Cannon  &  by  a  large 
number  of  Citizens  on  Horseback  &  in  Carriages.  In  the  afternoon 
Stage  I  returned  to  Salem. 

31.  The  weather  begins  to  feel  like  Summer.  I  bathed  in  the 
river  this  evening,  &  the  Bath  House  was  opened  for  the  first  time. 

June  1  [1800].  Sunday.  Notes.  Jonathan  Archer,  for  him  dang, 
sick,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  He  died  in  the  evening.  Ed.  Chevalier 
&  wife  for  him  dang.  sick.     Died  next  day. 

2.  In  the  night  was  the  alarm  of  fire.  It  was  near  the  Bell 
Tavern  in  Danvers  &  the  Store  House  of  Major  Osborne  was  con- 
sumed &  the  buildings  around  much  endangered. 

5.  Report  that  Mr.  Herriek,  grad.  of  Cambridge,  1767,  long 
since  a  Schoolmaster  in  Beverly  &  long  deranged,  put  an  end  to  his 
existence  yesterday  at  Beverly. 

7.  The  wife  of  Richard  Valpy  expired  suddenly  about  sundown. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Babbidge,  &  d.  Lydia,  d.  of 
Daughter  Mason,  pr.  for  absent  friends.  Jonathan  Mason  &  fam- 
ily, d.  of  his  mother.  Henry  Elkins  &  wife,  d.  of  her  mother,  pr. 
for  her  brother  absent.  Martha  Babbidge,  d.  of  her  Sister  in  Law 
Mason.  Hannah  Brown,  d.  of  her  Brother  in  Law  Archer,  pr.  for 
her  Sons  absent.  Thomas  Rhue,  junr.  &  wife  with  her  Brothers  & 
Sister,  d.  of  her  father  Archer  &  pr.  for  her  Brother  absent.  Abi- 
gail Chevalier,  d.  of  her  husband. 

9.  News  of  the  death  of  Dr.  Thorndike  of  Beverly  at  Norfolk, 
Virginia.  He  was  Surgeon  of  the  Congress,  Frigate.  He  perished 
we  are  told  by  his  own  hands.  We  have  good  news  of  our  Frigate 
Essex  at  Cape  of  Good  Hope  in  ^March. 

10.  I  was  at  Story's  Association,  &  Dr.  Eliot  visited  us.  Mr. 
Fuller  of  Cape  Ann  preached.     We  had  an  elegant  entertainment, 


340  DIARY  OF  [June 

visited  the  different  parts  of  the  Town,  saw  the  works  at  the  Fort, 
which  are  large.  Marblehead  has  had  good  fares  this  spring,  & 
many  repairs  are  made  in  different  parts  of  the  Town,  Mr.  Hub- 
bard is  restored  to  favour  &  they  intend  to  repair  the  Meeting 
House.     Judge  Sewall  spent  the  day  with  us. 

11.  Mr.  Webster  threatens  the  world  with  a  Dictionary,  first 
for  Schools,  then  for  Counting  Houses,  &  then  for  the  learned.  He 
pretends  great  changes  in  the  Language  already.  In  a  MS.  Life 
of  Father  Bernard,  so  called,  of  Marblehead,  in  48pp.  sm.  4to,  with 
notes,  are  the  following  articles  from  his  own  pen  &  signed  by  his 
own  name  in  the  Form  of  a  Letter.  John  Barnard  was  born  at 
Boston,  6  Nov.,  1681.  He  was  at  the  School  in  Boston  under  the 
famous  Ezekiel  Chever,  He  entered  the  College  at  Cambridge  in 
July  1696,  under  President  Increase  Mather,  Tutors  John  Leaver- 
ett  afterward  president  &  Wm.  Brattle  afterwards  Minister  at  Cam- 
bridge. Preached  Kev.  George  Curwin  of  Salem,  funeral  Sermon, 
who  died  23  Nov.  1717  set.  35  &  whose  life  he  had  saved  when  at 
College  when  in  danger  in  the  Charles  river  at  Cambridge  Bridge. 
Took  his  first  degree  in  1700.  Dr.  Colman  in  1705  Oct.  invited  him 
to  preach  which  he  had  neglected  for  sometime  as  he  was  thought 
a  Mimick  &  Tool  of  the  Mathers.  And  the  Mathers  feared  him, 
as  a  manifests  man,  alluding  to  Colman's  Church.  In  1707  he  was 
appointed  Chaplain  in  the  Army  (Capt.  Putnam  for  Salem),  13 
May  sailed  from  Nantasket  for  Port  Royal  &  returned  30  of  July 
to  Passamaquody  Bay.  In  1708  he  saved  Stoughton  Hall  from 
flames  by  his  activity.  In  1709  he  sailed  9  July  for  Barbadoes,  & 
reached  in  21  days,  &  in  5  weeks  sailed  for  England.  Preached 
among  the  Dissenters  &  returned  to  America  in  1710,  November. 
The  Mathers  prevented  his  settlement  at  New  North  &  in  1714  he 
engaged  at  Marblehead  with  Mr.  S.  Chever.  As  they  were  divided 
between  Mr.  Holyoke  &  they  agreed  to  go  together.  He  was  or- 
dained in  1716,  28  July.  The  old  House  is  yet  standing.  Holyoke 
ord.  Ap.  1716.  In  1727  wrote  to  Bp.  of  London,  Dr.  Gibson,  ag. 
John  Checkeley,  who  had  gone  for  Episcopal  ordination  for  Mar- 
blehead. This  Church  set  up  about  the  time  he  came  to  Marble- 
head. He  calls  not  the  minister  by  name.  Of  the  first,  he  says,  he 
was  neither  a  Scholar  nor  a  Gentleman.  The  Second,  something, 
but  bitter  ag.  Dissenters.  Of  good  morals.  The  third,  pretty  good 
School  Learning,  &  worthless.  The  fourth,  a  Scotch  gentleman, 
inclined  to  kirk  of  Scotland,  of  great  Learning,  no  Bigot,  true  to 
Church  of  England,  went  to  Maryland.  The  fifth,  worthy  Mr. 
Bowse,*  ed.  at  Camb.  N.  E.  The  sixth,  Mr.  Weeks,  a  worthy  man. 
When  the  Bp.  was  disposed  not  to  send  Mr.  C.  he  had  his  eyes  up- 
on Mr.  Price  who  soon  after  was  sent  to  Boston.  Mr.  Pigot  of 
Providence  came  to  Marblehead,  but  the  Sexton  said — "  they  had 
had   four   &   all   run   away."       Mr.   Holyoke   chosen    President, 

•Rev.  Peter  Bonrs. 


1800]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  341 

May  30,  1737.  iMarblehead  people  said  "  Old  Barnard  prayed  him 
away."  Simon  Bi-adstieet,  S.  of  Revd.  S.  B.  of  Chailestown,  ord. 
4  of  Jan.  1738.     W.  Whitwell  ord.  25  Aug.  1702. 

The  following  is  Father  Barnard's  accomit  of  Marblehead  in  his 
own  handwriting.  When  I  first  came  there  were  two  Companies  of 
poor  smoak-dried,  rude,  ill  cloathed  men,  trained  to  no  military 
discipline,  but  that  of  whipping  the  snakes,  as  they  called  it, 
whereas  now  there  is  a  distinct  Regiment,  &c.,  &c.  When  I  came 
there  was  not  so  much  as  one  proper  Carpenter,  nor  Mason,  nor 
Taylor,  nor  Butcher  in  the  Town  nor  anything  of  a  Market  worth 
naming,  &c.  There  was  not  so  much  as  one  foreign  trading  vessel 
belonging  to  the  Town  for  several  years  after  I  came  into  it,  &c. 
Nor  could  I  find  20  families,  that  upon  the  best  examination  could 
stand  upon  their  own  legs,  &  they  were  generally  as  rude,  swearing, 
drunken  &  fighting  Crew  as  they  were  poor.  I  could  engage  no 
reformation  till  I  met  with  Mr.  Joseph  Swett.  He  first  sent  a 
small  Cargo  to  Barbadoes,  built  Vessels  &  sent  Fish  to  Europe. 
His  example  was  followed  &  we  now  have  between  30  &  40  Ships, 
Brigs,  Snows,  &  Topsail  Schooners  engaged  in  foreign  trade.  Mar- 
blehead, 14  Xov.  1766.  The  New  Meeting  House  first  opened  for 
public  worship  in  Marblehead,  9  Nov.  1715. 

13.  The  Lightning  this  afternoon  burnt  a  Barn  belonging  to 
Newhall  in  Lynn.  Rev.  Eli  Forbes  of  Gloucester  advertises  for 
the  press  a  Vol.  of  Sermons.  The  good  old  man  would  do  better  to 
keep  them  at  home. 

14.  Gov.  Strong  arrived  this  day  in  Salem,  upon  a  visit  to  the 
Town. 

15.  Sunday,  Gov.  Strong  attended  public  worship  all  day  in 
the  North  Church.  In  the  evening  we  were  invited  to  spend  an 
ho\ir  with  him  at  Mr.  Goodhue's.  He  appeared  a  modest  &  a  well 
informed  man.  Note.  Elizabeth  Millet,  sick,  pr.  for  Son  &  g.  sou 
at  Sea.  Mr.  John  Barnard,  the  ^Minister  at  ]Marblehead,  says  from 
Nov.  1702  to  Nov.  1766,  sixty  four  years,  I  have  never  been  con- 
fined by  sickness  to  my  bed.  He  shut  his  house  of  worship  twice 
by  a  Cold,  &  having  something  of  a  Sciatica  he  journied  to  Rhode 
Island  &  supplied  for  two  months  in  1732.  He  says — "  So  con- 
stant have  I  been  in  the  labors  of  the  Pulpit  throughout  the  course 
of  my  time,  that  I  have  been  often  years  without  any  assistance,  & 
once  I  find  near  Eight  years  where  in  I  have  not  so  much  as  had 
the  relief  of  one  half  day." 

19.  AVent  for  Jonathan  Ingersoll's  farm  in  Danvers.  Stopped 
at  Mr.  Derby's  Garden  in  which  we  experienced  the  utmost  atten- 
tion of  Mr.  Heusler  the  Gardner.  He  first  fed  us  with  Cherries,  & 
Strawberries,  &  then  exhibited  the  Luxuries  of  the  place.  We  saw 
Lemons  growing  in  the  Hot  House.  A  great  variety  of  the  Aloe 
plant  was  shewn  to  us.  We  were  shewn  5  species  of  the  Geranium. 
We  saw  the  prickly  pear  in  flower,  &  received  some  of  the  flowers. 


342  DIARY  OF  [June 

I  brought  away  a  specimen  of  the  Roof  House  leek,  which  was  a 
beautiful  species.  At  Mr.  Ingersoll's  I  obtained  a  specimen  of  the 
Turkey  Wheat,  which  is  the  true  zea  or  Maize,  but  more  succulent, 
fit  for  immediate  use,  but  not  so  nourishing  I  presume  as  our  Eng- 
lish Corn.  It  resembles  more  the  white,  flat  Virginia  corn,  than 
the  bright  &  round  Indian  Corn  of  New  England.  Upon  this  farm 
I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  them  cut  peat  from  the  Meadow.  A 
Knife  is  first  used  to  take  off  the  sod,  for  4  inches  or  more,  &  then 
a  knife  with  a  spade  handle  cutting  two  ways,  &  at  right  angles, 
takes  up  a  square  sided  turf  5  inches  wide  &  20  inches  long,  which 
is  delivered  upon  the  knife  into  a  square  box,  like  the  hod  used  by 
masons,  only  longer  &  taken  in  the  arms.  It  is  only  within  a  few 
years  that  peat  has  been  regarded.  It  is  said  as  commonly  used, 
when  well  cut  to  be  almost  as  good  as  wood,  as  7  to  8  a  cord.  But 
a  use  of  it  with  grates  considering  how  close  it  may  be  measured,  it 
is  said  might  be  equal  to  the  same  measure  of  common  wood.  In  the 
ditch  formed  by  cutting  this  peat,  a  boy  took  1/2  dozen  pouts,  one  of 
which  I  took  with  me  to  Salem  &  examined  it.     It  was  full  of  spawn. 

20.  This  day  by  invitation  from  Mr.  B.  Pickman  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  paying  my  respects  to  Major  Gen.  Hamilton,  late  Sec- 
retary of  State,  &  Father  of  the  Finance  of  the  United  States  of 
North  America.  There  was  a  collection  of  Citizens  on  the  occasion. 
In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Hamilton  passed  eastward  accompanied  only 
with  a  few  persons  in  military  suite. 

23.  Gen.  Hamilton  returned  through  Salem.  The  ceremonies  of 
receiving  him  were  not  well  arranged.  I  rode  to  the  Fort,  to  the 
Bridge,  to  the  Inn  &  never  saw  him.  A  dinner  was  provided  at 
the  Inn  &  he  dined  on  fish  at  the  fort.  Company  prepared  to  re- 
ceive him  in  Town,  &  he  was  at  Fort  Pickering.  In  the  afternoon 
I  rode  to  Lynn  &  Marblehead  farms.  At  Capt.  Devereux's  in  Sa- 
lem, I  received  such  things  as  he  had  lately  brought  from  Japan.* 
He  is  the  first  person  who  has  made  a  voyage  thither  from  Salem. 
He  exhibited  such  things  as  engaged  his  attention.  The  Stone 
Tables,  Tea  Tables,  Servers,  Knife  Cases,  Small  Cabinets,  had  no 
other  recommendation  than  the  excellent  Lacquer  gave  them. 
Some  were  black  &  the  best,  others  of  a  shining  snuff  colour.  One 
Tea  Board  measured  in  its  greatest  length  3  feet  10  inches.  The 
stuffed  gowns,  which  on  both  sides  silk,  are  filled  with  a  very  fine 
cotton,  were  luxuries.  The  paintings  were  totally  destitute  of  per- 
spective. The  imitation  of  animals  for  toys  were  as  good  as  hair 
could  make  them  but  have  their  best  effect  by  Candle  light.  The 
Birds  have  their  tails  so  balanced  as  to  mov^e  easily,  they  are  made 
from  hair  &  not  with  feathers.  The  monkeys,  dogs,  mice,  &c.  were 
capable  of  answering  their  intent  wonderfully.  Their  work  on 
metal  had  no  ease  in  the  execution  such  as  were  for  hinges,  covers, 
clasps,  &c. 

•For  account  of  the  voyage,  aee  Essex  Institute  Hist.  Colls.,  Vol.  II,  p.  287. 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  343 

27.  Reports  that  a  Ship  from  Salem  has  been  carried  into  Hali- 
fax, Nova  Scotia,  by  the  British.  Capt.  Jo.  White,  the  Owner,  is 
going  to  Halifax  upon  the  occasion.  To  prosecute  Mr.  Walsh's 
plan  of  a  ^Mercantile  Arithmetic  I  had  an  opportunity  to  consult 
Capt.  B.  Hodges  who  furnished  me  with  the  papers  of  his  voyages 
to  Calcutta,  Madras  &  to  China.  I  have  the  promise  of  much 
further  assistance  from  later  voyages  to  Batavia,  Japan  & 
Manilla. 

29.  Sunday.     Note.     Mary  Berry,   delivery,    Husband  at  Sea. 

30.  British  Adjudications  the  topic  of  Conversation.  A  Ship 
from  Boston,  &  a  Vessel  from  Salem,  &  another  from  Marblehead, 
have  been  carried  into  Halifax  for  adjudication.  Having  been  told 
that  at  Boxford  in  this  Country,  10  June,  they  distroyed  1575 
Blackbirds,  Mr.  Peale  of  the  Museum  of  Philadelphia,  remonstrates 
that  these  Birds  distroy  the  worms,  &  do  more  good  than  harm. 
Smoaked  &  baked  meat  preferred  to  salt  for  long  voyages. 

July  2  [1800].  The  first  sick  man  ever  entered  into  our  Hos- 
pital now  lies  dangerously  ill  of  the  West  India  fever.  The  ground 
was  inclosed  by  order  of  the  Committee  last  Monday.  Some  would 
have  preferred  an  Island  for  an  Hospital.  The  Essex  Junto  is  de- 
scribed &  vindicated  in  the  Centinel  of  this  day.  The  Characters 
are  given  in  the  following  Order,  Theophilus  Parsons,  Jonathan 
Jackson,  John  Lowell,  Stephen  Higginson,  George  Cabot,  &  Timo- 
thy Pickering.  They  are  certainly  men  of  the  first  [standing  ?] 
whatever  may  be  their  political  opinions.  The  term  is  said  to  have 
originated  in  the  time  of  the  Insurrection  under  the  head  of  Gov. 
Bowdoin,  in  the  gazettees  of  Edes  &  of  Adams  &  Nourse. 

4.  This  day  was  celebrated  in  Salem  by  firing  of  Cannons,  dis- 
play of  Flags  and  the  public  recreations.  The  Cannon  roared  at 
Boston  &  a  public  Oration  was  delivered.  I  went  to  Nahant  & 
spent  the  Day. 

7.  Mr.  Gray's  ship  commanded  by  Capt.  Ward,  arrived  from 
East  Indies,  &  Elias  H.  Derby  from  the  Mediterranean.  T.  Wel- 
man  came  from  Havanna  a  passenger. 

9.  Died  suddenly  this  morning,  the  widow  Woodman,*  aet.  79. 
Died  Lydia  Babbidge,  aet.  67,  who  with  her  mother  now  aged  86, 
has  kept  a  school  for  little  Children.  Her  mother  has  been  a 
School  Dame  above  1/2  a  Century. 

10.  Court  of  Sessions  in  Town.  A  Committee  upon  the  new 
road  proposed  in  Southfields. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Babbidge,  d.  of  her  only  Child, 
pr.  for  G.  children  absent.  Martha  Babbidge,  d.  of  her  Sister  in 
Law.  Jona.  Archer  and  wife,  d.  of  her  mother  Woodman,  pr.  for 
Son  at  Sea.  Benj.  Archer  &  wife,  sudden  death  of  her  mother 
Woodman,  pr.  for  Brother  absent.  Wm.  Millet  &  wife,  d.  of  his 
mother,  pr.  for  Brother  &  friends  at  Sea.     Jona,  Archer  &  wife  for 

•Mrs,  Lydia  (Phillips),  widow  of  Benjamin  Woodman. 


344  DIARY  OF  [July 

her  delivery.     Saml.  Silsbee  &  wife  for  her  delivery,  pr.  for  Breth- 
ren at  Sea. 

14.  The  Visitation  of  the  Schools.  We  proceeded  to  the  West 
School,  where  as  usual  we  find  the  best  writers.  There  was  still 
an  air  of  poverty  in  the  appearance.  At  the  Centre  Writing 
School  under  Mr,  Gray  we  found  the  best  readers.  The  Grammar 
school  exhibited  only  17  Scholars.  The  East  School  had  as  many 
boys  as  any  School,  &  the  Writing  Schools  about  100  each.  Mr. 
H.  with  his  usual  insipidity  addressed  all  the  Schools.  The  other 
ministers  felt  some  disgust  from  some  circumstances  of  the  Day. 

15.  After  4  I  left  Salem  for  Boston  in  order  to  attend  Com- 
mencement, Cambridge.  I  carried  with  me  H.  Elkins,  whom  I  dis- 
posed of  at  Mr.  Smith's. 

16.  In  the  morning  I  rode  to  Cambridge  &  took  charge  of  Mr. 
Taylor  &  wife  &  of  my  Ward.  I  placed  them  conveniently  in  the 
meeting  House  &  then  went  abroad  among  my  friends.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  Mr.  Adams,  &  the  Gov.  of  Conn.,  Mr. 
Trumball,  accompanied  Gov.  Strong  on  the  occasion.  There  was 
no  unusual  parade,  or  brilliancy  on  the  occasion.  Several  gentle- 
men whose  Sons  received  honours  distinguished  themselves  by  en- 
tertainments on  the  day,  among  whom  Mr.  Gray  of  Salem  &  Mr. 
Marston  Watson  were  most  known.  The  performances  were  not 
eminent.  A  young  Buckminster  of  16  years  was  entitled  to  the 
highest  praise.  I  dined  with  Judge  Winthrop  with  my  friends,  & 
then  visited  such  persons  as  had  honoured  me  with  their  particular 
attention  &  invitations.  We  walked  over  the  Common  to  see  the 
several  amusements  &  to  observe  the  Merry  Andrews,  federal  wheel, 
&c.  In  the  evening  we  were  joined  by  a  Circle  of  Ladies,  &c.  at 
Judge  Winthrop's.  The  Catalogue  was  published  this  year,  which 
leaves  1561  of  the  Sons  alive  &  out  of  1158  Clergymen,  371  Sur- 
vivors. Mr.  Taylor  &  wife  returned  to  Boston.  Harriet  was  left 
at  Mrs.  Hilliard's.  The  day  was  lowry  &  cool,  but  very  dusty.  No 
accidents. 

17.  The  P.  B.  K.  had  the  Oration  &  the  Poem  in  the  Chapel 
but  no  great  talents  were  discovered  on  the  occasion,  in  the  foulist 
political  rant.  AVe  dined  at  Mrs.  Hilliard's  after  having  visited 
the  public  rooms,  &  having  seen  a  Curious  Bird,  the  Cassawary, 
whose  admeasurement  we  did  not  take.  Upon  our  return  to  Boston, 
I  visited  the  Hist,  Society  &  we  were  honoured  by  the  presence  of 
the  Gov.  of  Connecticut.  We  took  tea  together  at  Judge  Sullivan's 
&  the  P.  of  United  States  was  nominated  as  a  Member  &  Mr.  Fos- 
ter writer  of  the  Hist,  of  Rhode  Island, 

18.  This  morning  I  visited  Mr.  Pierce  of  West  Boston,  who  has  a 
large  Collection  of  American  Curiosities,  &  Mr.  Turell,  our  Cabinet 
Keeper,  who  has  a  great  variety  of  Indian  Curiosities,  Shells  &  Fossils. 
Here  I  saw  a  curious  Cabinet,  said  to  have  belonged  to  Oliver  Crom- 
well.    At  Mr.  Nichol's  I  saw  a  large  importation  of  Eng.  books  from 


1800]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  345 

Avhich  I  made  some  purchases.     After  dinner  I  returned  home  to 
Salem, 

19.  'My.  Walsh  with  me.  I  had  sent  on  his  letter  by  young  Mr. 
Cai'ey  to  Newburyport  in  10  sheets  on  the  subject  of  his  Collection 
for  a  Merchant's  Directory. 

20.  Sunday.  Note.  Retire  Becket  &  wife,  d.  of  their  only 
daughter.  Died  last  week  in  Salem,  Primus,  formerly  servant  in 
the  Manning  family.  Primus'  best  days  were  over,  &  he  held  out 
much  better  than  Blacks  usually  do.  He  was  esteemed  very  honest, 
but  had  become  intemperate.  Above  60  set.  Francis  Clarke,  Su- 
perintendent Clerk  for  W.  Gray,  Merchant,  &  Son  of  the  Capt.  of 
our  Salem  Fort,  last  French  war,  aet.  47.  He  was  a  victim  to  In- 
temperance. 

23.  Applications  in  behalf  of  John  Newhall  on  board  the  British 
ship  at  Boston.     I  gave  a  Certificate  &  a  Letter  to  General  Lincoln. 

27.  Sunday.  Note.  Mary  Peele,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  & 
rother  at  Sea. 

31.  This  day  opened  with  unusual  heat  &  at  noon  the  Th  :  kept 
by  Dr.  Holyoke  stood  one  hour  at  100.  At  two  the  clouds  began  to 
collect  &  run  wild  in  every  direction.  At  four  I  was  in  a  Moses 
boat  with  a  Jib  &  Mainsail,  we  went  before  it.  All  our  tackle  gave 
way,  &  we  reached  the  Marblehead  shore  in  as  violent  a  gust  as  is 
commonly  known.  The  vessels  drove  at  their  anchors  &  we  should 
have  reached  the  house  without  danger  of  the  rain,  had  not  the 
immediate  danger  of  a  Sloop  called  for  our  assistance.  A  great 
abundance  of  Sea  weed  was  found  floating  upon  our  return.  Fogg's 
wharf*  was  cleared  of  its  lumber  but  no  great  damage  was  done. 
Several  Buildings  were  moved,  Trees  broken  down  &  corn  torn  up,  &c. 

August  2  [1800].  Oil  upon  rain  water  to  prevent  insects  from 
breeding  in  it. 

3.  Sunday.  Note.  JNIary  Rochestein,  d.  of  her  husband  abroad. 
The  old  Church  at  Marblehead  under  repairs  after  having  been  long 
in  a  neglected  state.     The  Aifairs  of  that  [society]  now  in  quiet. 

4.  A  Ship  belonging  to  Hodges  &  Co.  arrived  from  Bombay,  the 
whole  voyage  having  been  performed  in  less  than  nine  months. 

7.  Mr.  Marston  Watson,  an  eminent  Merchant  of  Boston,  & 
lately  of  Marblehead,  died  yesterday  of  a  fever.  He  married  a 
d.  of  Major  Lee  of  ^lanchester.  A  Son  graduated  at  Cambridge 
last  Commencement.  Several  fishermen  of  Danvers  &  Beverly 
have  come  in  with  good  fares.  ^Mr.  Page  at  the  New  Mills  has  con- 
tinued success  in  the  fishery. 

9.  The  Centinel  gives  a  hint  that  the  Salem  Cordage  of  the 
Ship  Essex  did  not  do  much  honour  to  the  skill,  or  honesty  of  the 
Salem  Ropemaker.f  Saw  what  the  sailors  call  a  Cornwall  dia- 
mond.    Copper  ore  with  spar. 

•At  the  foot  of  Daniels  street. 

tSee  Essex  Institute  Hist.  Colls.,  Vol.  X,  p.  60. 


346  DIARY  OF  [Aug. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  Walter  Jeffrey  &  wife  for  him  sick. 
Anna  Foot,  d.  of  Son  abroad,  pr.  for  Husband  &  son  in  law  at 
Sea.  B.  Russel  thanks  for  return  of  his  two  sons  &  son  in  law  & 
pr.  for  two  Sons  at  sea.  The  Organ  for  the  Salem  First  Church  has 
arrived  at  Boston.  It  was  procured  by  Consul  Williams  who  gen- 
erously gave  his  services.  Mr.  Dow  who  declined  the  call  at  Wen- 
ham,  is  preaching  at  Beverly,  upper  parish.  Mr.  Burleigh,  the 
Speculator  of  Lower  Beverly,  refused  the  services  of  Mr.  MacKeen 
&  sent  to  Salem  for  Mr.  Hopkins.  His  objections  were  that  Mr. 
MacKeen  loved  Drs.  in  Divinity  &  was  willing  to  be  one  himself. 
So  absurd  are  the  prejudices  which  vulgar  men  bring  up  with  them. 
Our  Choirister  for  7  years  intends  to  remove  next  week  to  Lynn. 
Several  of  them  are  adrift.  One  by  a  tavern,  another  by  a  spec* 
in  Maine,  &  another  from  a  Mechanic  turns  Tailor. 

17.  Sunday.  Capt.  J.  Collins  &  Judith  Archer  consented  to 
conceive  their  friends  lost. 

Notes.  John  Collins  &  wife,  d.  of  their  eldest  son  lost  at  Sea. 
Judith  Archer,  d.  of  her  Husband,  lost  at  Sea,  pr.  for  brother  &  fr. 
absent.  Mary  Bullock,  d.  of  her  Brother,  died  in  Havanna,  pr.  for 
Husband  at  sea.  William  Boyd  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  absent 
friends.  Poor  Timothy  Dexter  who  has  given  bells  to  Churches  & 
has  had  so  many  f  rolicks  is  at  length  lodged  in  the  County  house  as 
a  Madman  by  his  own  family,  for  outrageous  threatenings,  &  dis- 
orderly management. 

20.  Went  to  Baker's  Island  in  the  Health  Boat.  Mr.  Jona. 
Henfield  told  me  that  passing  between  Hodges'  &  Fitch's  point  in 
South  fields  about  200  yards  from  the  shore  he  observed  a  boiling 
spring  into  which  he  entered  his  paddle  without  any  resistance,  in 
two  feet  of  water  at  the  ebb. 

21.  Preached  in  the  Charity  House.  The  Keeper  assured  me 
that  there  were  120  Souls  in  the  House  &  that  this  number  had  been 
complete  by  coming  &  going  &  yet  that  there  had  not  been  a  funeral 
from  the  House  since  last  Octol)er.  The  House  has  all  sorts  &  all 
ages. 

22.  I  spent  at  Collins'  farm,  Danvers.  He  is  clearing  the 
Swamp  before  the  House.  I  visited  the  antient  site  of  the  House 
of  Gov,  Endicott  &  plucked  some  pears  from  the  antient  Tree  which 
he  planted  in  1631.  The  late  gust  took  down  the  Trees  before  C's 
house  &  two  chimnies  from  his  outhouse  in  which  the  farmers 
boarded.     The  Land  is  not  so  good  as  the  house  he  inhabits. 

24.  Sunday.  General  Health.  The  old  Church  shut  to  pre- 
pare the  Organ  which  is  to  be  introduced  for  the  first  time  into  our 
worship  in  Salem. 

25,  Our  grand  Election  Day.  The  Gazette  &  Register  had  long 
excited  the  public  mind.  In  the  Register,  Read  had  been  ridiculed, 
&  Crowninshield  extolled.    The  parties  were  represented  with  great 

'Speculation. 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEV,   D.  D.  347 

humour  as  prepared  for  actiou.  Their  position,  strength  &  move- 
ments were  determined.  The  Republicans  had  also  Tickets  struck 
off  with  the  English  arms  for  Head,  &  the  Am.  Eagle  for  Crowniu- 
shield.  The  whole  had  the  effect  the  Republicans  expected  &  a 
great  majority  unexpectedly  appeared  upon  a  side  which  had  been 
treated  with  contempt  in  the  late  choice  of  a  Governour.  No  seri- 
ous quarrells  ensued  but  Victory  in  silence  produced  a  new  era  in 
the  politics  of  Salem. 

30.  A  man  having  died  at  Boston  Hospital  &  being  at  first  pre- 
served in  spirits  »&  afterwards  interred,  the  Spirits  were  sold  by  the 
Sexton  to  a  Merchant  for  his  distillery,  but  discovered  by  the  Board 
of  Health  &  distroyed.  A  prosecution  has  commenced  by  the 
Board. 

September  1  [1800].  Attended  the  funeral  of  a  Child  from 
the  Pest  House  &  then  went  in  the  Light  House  boat  to  spend  a 
few  days  at  Baker's  Island  &  thence  in  fishing,  fowling,  etc.  We 
left  Salem  at  3  o'clock  &  reached  Baker's  Island  at  sundown. 

2.  In  the  morning  we  caught  the  fish  upon  which  we  dined  & 
after  dinner  we  sailed  to  House  Island.  I  never  before  had  been 
able  to  land  upon  this  Island  either  from  the  surf  or  the  want  of  a 
small  boat.  We  landed  on  the  western  side,  well  in,  &  climbed  up 
through  the  sweet  bay  which  grew  in  abundance.  The  Island  is 
rough.  Many  Pines  &  Dwarf  Junipers  are  standing,  &  several 
Walnuts.  The  trees  are  chiefly  on  the  Western  side.  The  soil 
might  be  profitable.  Sheep  have  been  kept  upon  it,  and  there  was 
formerly  a  small  house.  The  small  Island  which  lays  up  within 
the  Misery,  &  Manchester  entrance  is  called  Crow  Island.  The  dry 
rocks  S.  of  it  are  called  Solace's  Rocks. 

3.  We  agreed  to  go  to  Kettle  Cove*  4  miles  below  Baker's 
Island.  Gale's  Head  is  from  Land  which  forms  the  outer  part  of 
Manchester  Harbour.  S.  E.  3/4  of  a  mile  is  the  Ledge  dangerous 
to  ]\rariners  going  into  Salem.  Little  Egg  Rock  lies  near  the  shore 
&  is  high  &  out  of  the  navigable  waters.  Salt  Rock  S.  E.  a  bare 
rock  low  over  which  the  full  tide  breaks,  has  a  Ledge  W.  S.  W.  1/4 
mile  distant  at  low  water  bare  &  another  Ledge  E.  S.  E.  about  1/4 
mile.  Water  deep  round  Salt  Rock.  There  is  a  high  Bluff  head 
on  the  west  side  of  Kettle  Cove  round  which  is  the  harbour  in  which 
Stone,  the  Ship  Carpenter,  has  built  40  Sail  of  Cape  Ann  fishermen. 
On  the  W.  head  are  a  few  scattered  pines.  This  part  of  the  Cove 
or  harbour  is  of  shoal  water  after  we  passed  the  head.  Round  the 
head  are  Marshes  palisadoed  to  prevent  the  shifting  sand  from  the 
eastern  part  of  the  Cove.  The  water  at  full  tide  winds  beautifully 
in  the  marshes  of  about  8  acres,  &  at  the  head,  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill  is  a  living  spring  toward  which  is  an  open  path.  On  the  Bluff 
head  is  a  small  circular  redoubt  thrown  up  during  the  last  war,  to 
prevent  small  vessels  from  depredations.     It  is  raised  with  stones 

•Now  MagnoHa. 


348  DIARY  OF  [Sept, 

in  front  &  it  is  made  hollow  within.  Kettle  Island  bearing  from 
the  Redoubt  E,  S.  E.  1/2  mile.  There  was  a  cornfield  on  the  N.  W. 
slope  of  the  Bluff  towards  the  Harbour,  abundantly  guarded  against 
the  Crows.  We  passed  iip  to  Mr.  Stone's  by  a  road  which,  led  to 
Cape  Ann  great  road,  &  went  to  Capt.  Hooper's.  On  the  East  side 
of  Kettle  Cove  near  the  road  was  a  small  pond  &  beyond  a  beach. 
On  the  S.  of  House  Island  the  rock  was  mixed,  with  black  slate 
rock  in  veins,  but  nothing  of  this  kind  seen  here.  There  were  two 
stately  walnuts  just  above  the  eastern  point.  The  land  on  this  side 
of  Kettle  Cove  not  so  rough,  well  walled,  &  clear  pasture,  &c. 

4.  Dined  on  Tuesday  on  fish,  Wednesday  on  roast  chickens  & 
this  day  upon  a  Pie  of  beach  birds.  After  dinner  we  returned  to 
Salem  but  did  not  see  the  launching  of  a  ship  at  Becket's. 

5.  This  day  Mr.  E.  Sprague,  minister  of  Dublin,  visited  me. 
This  singular  man  has  come  into  the  possession  of  a  very  handsome 
estate  &  continues  to  preach  to  an  audience  who  have  not  the  most 
exalted  opinions  of  his  understanding,  tho'  not  the  most  competent 
to  judge  of  his  abilities.  I  spent  the  evening  with  him  at  Hersey 
Derby's  Farm  in  South  Fields,  to  remind  me  of  the  intercourse  in 
our  Collegiate  life. 

6.  Visited  Mr.  E.  H.  Derby  to  see  the  Curiosities  from  Italy  he 
had  collected.  The  marble  &  inlaid  tables,  the  Bustos,  &  the  Coins 
&  the  rich  engravings  formed  a  grand  repast.  He  made  me  par- 
take in  his  bounty.  He  has  also  enriched  his  Library  with  some 
views  &  contributed  to  introduce  works  of  Taste  into  this  Country. 

7.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Fairfield  &  wife,  thanks  for  safe 
return  from  Sea,  d.  of  Servant  Boy.  This  beloved  foreign  youth 
died  at  Havana.  Thomas  Green*  &  wife,  d.  of  their  youngest  child 
at  the  Pest  House. 

9.  It  was  my  turn  to  attend  the  District  Court  in  this  Town, 
Judge  Lowell  was  very  polite,  my  friend  Davis,  the  D.  C.  Attorney, 
Marshall,  &c.  Mr.  Ames  so  celebrated  in  the  history  of  our  pol- 
itics gave  us  his  free  conversation  on  the  character  of  man,  &  was 
the  chief  speaker.  W^e  dined  in  good  humour,  &  the  day  passed 
along  agreably. 

10.  Mr.  George  Richards,  the  Universalist  of  Portsmouth,  was 
with  me  this  day.  He  is  on  a  professional  journey  to  Orange,  Mass. 
He  has  great  vivacity,  but  his  numerous  poetical  lucubrations  need 
the  correctness  of  Taste.  He  has  published  largely  upon  the  death 
of  Washington.     We  dined  at  Vincent's. 

11.  This  day  we  had  a  pleasant  walk  on  the  Shores,  &  a  little 
Musical  Company  in  the  evening  at  Bray's  &  passed  the  time 
agreably.  A  Daughter  of  my  old  friend  Herrick,  who  in  his 
insanity,  put  an  end  to  life,  was  with  us,  a  sprightly  girl,  born  to 
bitter  things,  but  not  at  variance  with  her  fate. 

14.     Sunday.     Notes.     Ebenezer   Sloacum  &   wife,   d.   of  their 

•Of  Liverpool,  England. 


1800]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  349 

Child.  Daniel  Caldwell  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child.  Josiah  Flag  & 
wife,  d.  of  their  Child,  pr.  for  a  l^rother  at  Sea.  Mrs.  Silsbee 
observed  in  Daniels'  Street  below  Essex  Street,  that  a  child  now 
dead  was  the  tirst  below  her  house  for  17  years,  since  she  had  lived 
in  the  street,  &  yet  several  large  families  had  been  educated  below 
her  house. 

15.  By  the  arrival  of  Capt.  Philips  from  Calcutta  in  the  ship 
Recovery,  we  learn  the  death  of  Winthrop  Gray  the  last  of  a  Company 
of  jolly  fellows  in  Salem.  They  have  all  been  early  victims.  We 
hear  of  the  death  of  several  of  our  promising  young  seamen. 
Thomas  Lechmore,  Esq.  said  to  be  a  native  of  Salem,  is  app.  an 
alderman  at  Bombay.  A  Concert  is  determined  for  Friday,  at  the 
Old  Church  upon  the  New  Organ. 

16.  Attended  the  funeral  at  Dan  vers  of  Catherine  Symmonds,  d. 
of  S.  S.  by  a  Phippeu,  formerly  the  Widow  Hobbes.  Passing  from 
a  part  of  the  House,  from  the  door,  she  was  met  by  a  man  running 
swiftly,  was  thrown  down  upon  a  stone,  &  expired  in  a  few  hours. 
Upon  examination  there  was  no  external  injury,  but  after  her 
decease  her  left  kidney  was  found  to  have  been  distro^'ed  by  the 
pressure  of  the  man  upon  her,  &  by  her  fall.  The  funeral  was  this 
afternoon ,  &  the  funeral  service  I  performed  in  the  Meeting  House 
from  the  number  of  persons  assembled  on  the  occasion,  the  Pastor 
being  out  of  Town. 

18.  Took  a  walk  in  Company  to  Spring  Pond.  By  the  occasion 
of  part  of  our  Company  we  left  our  first  rout  from  Gallows  Hill  & 
passed  higher  up  into  Sheep  Pasture.  On  our  return  we  kept  up 
from  Spring  Pond  to  the  great  rock  on  the  hill  called  Plum  Hill  & 
thence  E'ly  between  the  two  rocks  on  the  hill  below.  We  then  saw 
the  To"\Am  &  followed  the  walls  till  we  passed  into  Gallows  Hill 
pasture.  Our  route  then  was  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  the  W.  side 
of  the  Bay  &  then  on  the  east,  &  we  came  round  the  Hill  to  the 
Bars  near  the  Haymarket.  Below  the  hill  was  a  Cistern  of  the 
Branch  aqueduct  &  at  the  entrance  of  the  Pasture  from  Haymarket, 
a  covered  Spring  &  another  opposite  to  Fry's  Tavern  Avhich  is  near 
Fry's  Mills.  We  saw  abundance  of  wild  grapes  near  the  Butt  Brook 
&  Spring  Pond,  &  collected  a  great  quantity  of  pennyroj^al.  There 
is  also  much  Sweet  Bay.  The  Springs  which  feed  the  Aqueduct  of 
Salem,  issue  from  the  ground  over  a  considerable  space  of  ground, 
but  in  no  place  could  we  collect  water  enough  to  drink  unless  we 
opened  the  ground. 

19.  The  Concert  at  the  first  Church  intended  for  this  day  is  put 
off  sine  die.  So  we  shall  not  hear  the  new  Organ  so  soon  as  was 
expected.  Timothy  Dexter  is  still  writing.  Since  he  left  the 
County  House  he  has  retired  to  Ballston's  Springs  for  his  health. 
How  capricious  is  fortune  says  the  world. 

20.  Several  American  vessels  from  Havana  have  been  condemned 
at  Halifax.     Strout,  Lieu,  of  the  Warren  Am.  Sloop  of  War,  is  in 


350  DIARY  OP  [Sept. 

Town.  He  is  the  only  officer  of  the  Town  in  the  United  States  ser 
vice.  A  Ship  launched  at  Becket's,  below  English  Street,  this  day. 
21.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Hutchinson  with  her  Children,  d. 
of  her  Son  James,  pr.  for  Son  absent  &  friends.  Benja.  Hutchinson 
&  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother,  p.  for  Br.  absent  &  friends  at  Sea,  also 
thanks  for  her  safe  delivery.  Ruth  Porter,  d.  of  her  Sister  in  law 
Perley  at  Boxford,  pr.  for  Absent  friends.  Sam^  Townsend  &  wife, 
d.  of  their  Eldest  daughter,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Nathaniel 
Trow  &  wife,  d.  of  their  only  child,  pr.  for  absent  friends.  A  Can- 
didate, Isaac  Averill,  set.  34,  belonging  to  Topsfield,  &  having  a 
call  to  the  ministry  in  Brookfield  as  successor  to  Dr.  Fiske  of 
Brookfield,  died  in  Topsfield  upon  a  visit  to  his  friends,  &  when 
bearing  Letters  Missive  to  the  Churches  for  his  Ordination.  He 
was  to  have  been  ordained  on  1  October. 

23.  The  Lots  between  Capt.  Prince  &  Crowninshield  in  Derby 
Street  were  sold  this  day  in  Lots,  &  the  sale  exceeded  8,000  D 
The  Small  House  built  by  Giles,  &  belonging  formerly  to  Capt. 
John  White,  sold  at  above  2,500  D.  The  neighbours  bought  the 
Lots,which  were  sold  by  John  Derby  being  part  of  the  real  estate 
of  E.  H.  D.  left  to  him.  On  this  Land  in  1780  Mr.  Derby  raised  a 
Great  House  which  he  never  finished.  The  third  story  was  as  high 
as  the  first  &  higher  than  the  second.  The  pediment  was  lost  in 
the  roof  &  the  Cupola  which  was  finished  was  without  any  good 
effect.  The  back  part  was  finished  but  the  front  only  covered  with 
boards  &  was  very  rotten.  It  was  sold  this  day  to  the  Carpenters 
for  600  Dollars.  A  more  uncomely  mass  was  never  piled  up  for  a 
building.  The  Lot  under  it  sold  for  above  2,000  D.  It  has  now 
stood  20  years  a  monument  of  folly. 

24.  A  Vessel,  Schooner,  was  launched  at  Brigg's,  South  field  side, 
with  all  her  standing  rigging. 

27.  A  Schooner  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire  at  the  head  of  the 
Long  wharf.  She  had  admitted  water  upon  the  lime  on  board.  It 
was  soon  agreed  to  scuttle  her,  but  as  the  tide  was  low,  the  water 
could  not  cover  her,  &  the  Engines  then  could  not.  It  was  soon 
found  it  was  wrong  to  scuttle  her  in  Shoal  watter,  &  when  Engines 
were  near  which  could  fill  her  in  a  short  time.  Her  Cargo  suffered 
much  &  the  Hull  less  than  was  expected,  &  chiefly  from  the  dam- 
age done  to  save  it.  This  is  the  second  vessel  set  on  fire  by  Lime 
in  this  Harbour,  since  I  have  been  here.  The  other  was  in  the 
night  &  burnt  to  the  water's  edge. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  Sam^  Webb  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for 
Brethren  at  Sea.  William  Billings,  set.  60,  died  also  at  Boston.  This 
self  taught  man  thirty  years  ago  had  the  direction  of  all  the  music 
of  our  Churches.  His  Reuben,  as  he  whimsically  called  it,  with  all 
its  great  imperfections,  had  great  fame  and  he  may  justly  be  con- 
sidered as  the  father  of  our  new  England  music.  Many  who  have 
imitated  have  excelled  him,  but  none  of  them  had  better  original 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLET,   D.   D.  351 

powers.  His  late  attempts  &  without  a  proper  education  were  the 
true  cause  of  his  inferiour  excellence.  He  taught  the  Singers  at 
the  Brattle  street  Church  in  1778  with  great  approbation  &  his 
fame  was  great  in  the  Churches.  He  was  a  singular  man,  of  mod- 
erate size,  short  of  one  leg,  with  one  eye,  without  any  address,  & 
with  an  uncommon  negligence  of  person.  Still  he  spake  &  sung  & 
thought  as  a  man  above  the  common  abilities.  He  died  poor  &  neg- 
lected &  perhaps  did  too  much  neglect  himself. 

29.  I  went  to  Chelsea  to  attend  the  funeral  of  the  wife  of  Rev* 
Payson,  D.  D.  She  was  a  Stone,  &  had  been  delirious  ever  since 
the  loss  of  a  favourite  daughter.  Her  daughter  Betsey  was  tirst 
taken  &  is  since  quiet.  Her  son  Philips  is  often  deranged.  The 
Brother  of  Mr.  Payson  has  been  in  the  same  way,  &  there  have  been 
apprehensions  for  others.  There  was  a  very  respectful  attention  to 
Dr.  Payson  on  the  occasion.  It  was  a  circuitous  rout  to  the  Bury- 
ing ground.  Upon  the  grave  stone  of  the  first  Pastor,  Mr.  Chever, 
I  saw  written  that  he  deceased  "  December  1749,  set.  92."  He  was 
for  a  long  time  at  the  head  of  the  Cambridge  Catalogue,  &  his  par- 
ish was  called  Romney  marsh.  After  him  was  settled  a  Mr.  Mac- 
clanochen,  who  afterwards  took  orders  in  the  Church  of  England. 
His  Installation  at  Chelsea  was  affected  by  the  lay  part  of  the 
Council  after  a  serious  struggle,  as  I  was  told  by  a  Clergyman  pres- 
ent at  the  time  of  the  Council.  Mr.  Prescot  was  moderator.  Mr. 
Hobby  was  persuaded  to  pray,  the  Candidate  to  preach,  the  moder- 
ator to  give  the  Charge  &  Mr.  Henchman  to  give  the  right  hand,  to 
which  Mr.  Henchman  consented,  if  done  in  the  name  of  the  Coun- 
cil.    Henchman's  wit  upon  his  Contemporaries  was, 

Good  Emerson,  proud  Hobby, 

Silly  Carnes,  &  Coxcomb  Roby. 
Emerson  of  Maiden,  Hobby  of  Reading,  Carnes  of  Stoneham,  & 
Roby  of  Lynn.     I  spent  the  evening  at  Lynn,  with  Rhoades,  Rob- 
inson, &  Massey  at  Thatcher's. 

30.  As  I  rode  to  the  funeral  with  Mary  Thatcher  I  invited  her 
to  spend  the  next  day  with  me  at  Nahant.  We  caught  fish,  &  vis- 
ited the  usual  places,  dined  agreably,  had  our  melons,  &  returned 
to  Lynn.     Before  night  I  reached  Salem. 

October  3,  1800.  Mr.  Endicott  with  me  &  brought  some  pears 
from  the  Tree  which  Gov.  Endicott  planted  in  1630.  He  tells  me 
that  he  is  of  the  fifth  generation.  That  Gov.  Endicott  had  four 
Sons.  That  his  Son  John  had  a  Son  John  who  was  Surgeon  in  the 
British  navy  &  afterwards  lived  in  England.  That  his  Son  Sam- 
uel came  to  America  &  inherited  the  patrimony  and  that  John  the 
Son  of  Samuel  was  the  father  of  John  who  was  with  me.  He  could 
not  give  me  the  different  branches  with  accuracy  but  told  me  that 
he  had  four  Sons,  who  were  engaged  in  seafaring  business  from  Sa- 
lem, &  that  he  had  now  six  sons  &  four  daughters  living.  John  & 
Samuel,  masters  of  Vessels,  are  his  Sons  in  Salem  &  have  children. 


352  DIARY  OF  [Oct. 

Mr.  Eadicott  assured  me  that  there  was  existing  in  the  family  a 
Letter  from  Gov.  Endicott  upon  the  loss  of  the  first  minister  Mr, 
Higginson,  which  he  has  promised  to  enquire  for  &  deliver  to  me. 
He  says  also  that  he  has  in  his  possession  John  Endicott's,  the 
grandson  of  the  Governour,  will,  which  he  will  put  into  my  hands. 

4.  Mr.  R.  Becket  mentions  that  his  G.  Father  often  told  him 
that  HoUingsworth  hadshallops  of  40  Tons  which  came  up  the  Cove 
above  East  Street  &  opposite  Becket's  street  &  that  Mr.  Masury  who 
lived  upon  land  joining  upon  East  street,  now  inclosed  opposite  to 
Turner's  street,  used  to  stand  at  his  door  &  fish  for  eels  &  other 
small  fish.  That  the  only  vessels  built  in  Marblehead  were  two 
Schooners,  Avithin  the  memory  of  the  present  generation,  by  James 
Barter,  the  largest  about  80  Tons.  He  spoke  of  the  deep  water 
above  Ram  Horn  Rock  westward  between  it  &  Roache's  or  Pest 
House  point.  Thei-e  is  nothing  remarkable  now.  The  primitive 
Settlers  did  the  principal  part  of  their  business  in  Shallops  of  40 
Tons. 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  Widow  Mary  Murray,  d.  of  her  only  Son  & 
Child  at  Sea,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Emmons  Smith  &  wife,  for  her 
sick,  pr.  two  sons  at  Sea.  Thomas  Goldsmith  &  wife,  d.  of  his 
mother  at  Osapee,  39  m.  from  Dover,  N.  H.  Nathaniel  Goldsmith, 
d.  of  his  mother. 

10.  The  Sale  of  Pews  has  occasioned  conversation  about  enlarg- 
ing the  Meeting  House.  This  Subject  has  been  often  under  consid- 
eration. The  Character  of  J.  C.  &  thy  History  of  the  family  of 
Crowninshield  has  been  attributed  to  me,  for  which  I  have  my  share 
of  newspaper  abuse. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Peters  &  wife,  d.  of  her  D.  by  Nor- 
man. Wid.  Lois  Odell  for  her  sick  &  pr.  for  Son  absent.  Wid. 
Mary  Edey  for  her  only  D.  sick.  Mary  Brown,  delivery,  pr.  for 
her  husband  &  friends  at  Sea.  I  was  to  have  exchanged  with  Hub- 
bard of  Marblehead  but  he  was  taken  with  a  fever.  An  alarm  of 
fire  this  morning  by  the  firing  of  guns  from  Crowninshield's  Ship, 
the  America,  now  under  quarantine,  but  it  proved  to  [be]  a  riot  on 
board  which  had  lasted  all  night  with  the  Capt.  Stephen  Webb  & 
his  Crew  because  of  their  detention.  The  neighboring  Towns  were 
all  alarmed  &  turned  out  at  four  in  the  morning.  A  shameful  & 
wanton  transaction.  At  Ponifret,  Aaron  Hutchinson,  Revd.  has 
died  aet.  79.  The  same  man  who  was  upon  Council  ag.  Dr.  Tucker 
of  Newbury  &  who  wrote  in  that  affair,  &  upon  whom  the  Dr.  in- 
geniously satirised  when  after  a  refutation  he  chose  the  Text  — 
And  Aaron  held  his  peace.     He  was  a  busy  meddlesome  man. 

13.  The  Obloquy  cast  upon  individuals  in  political  altercation 
will  bring  reproaches.  Men  are  not  usually  modest  upon  such  oc- 
casions. A  Refugee  Colonel  may  expect  that  his  ill  timed  interfer- 
ence will  bring  reproach  as  well  as  a  broken  Clergyman,  especially 
if  his  avarice  has  betrayed  him   to  the   world  in   some  shameful 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  353 

actions.     The  rash  curses  of  merchants  are   remembered   &  their 
deeds  of  great  injustice  are  recorded  in  the  memory  of  the  sufferers. 

14.  This  day  Forrester's  Brig  arrived  &  we  find  that  Capt.  J. 
Murphy,  her  Commander,  has  died  on  his  passage  from  Calcutta. 
He  was  an  invalid  when  he  sailed  from  America. 

15.  A  military  parade  of  our  Artillery  Company  in  Salem. 
Rev**  French  of  Andover  was  with  us  in  Salem  this  day.  Mrs. 
West  entertained  us  with  her  usual  elegance  &  shewed  us  the  great 
repairs  she  was  making  upon  the  house  she  occupied,  as  she  had 
been  disappointed  of  the  Mansion  house  of  her  Father  Derby.  At 
a  late  Training  at  Beverly,  one  young  man  lost  his  leg,  from  salut- 
ing, a  savage  custom  familiar  to  the  former  times  of  this  Country 
of  running  with  a  gun  &  discharging  the  powder  about  the  legs,  & 
the  smoak  in  the  eyes  of  the  man  they  saluted. 

16.  Went  upon  Ellingswood's  head  to  view  the  Salthouse  Rocks 
vulgarly  called  Saltus  Rocks  &  the  origin  of  the  name  is  forgotten. 
The  rocks  by  Ledge  &  marsh  are  now  joined  to  the  main  or  Salt 
House  point  at  the  N.  W.  seperation  of  Bass  river  from  Wollaston, 
after  passing  Ellin gwood's  Head  &  Orne's  point.  The  Rocks  are 
low  and  covered  every  tide  &  laying  well  out  of  the  Channel.  The 
present  generation  remember  when  they  were  free  from  the  marsh 
and  Ledge.  Beyond,  going  up  Wollaston's  river,  in  a  cove  just 
above  are  the  best  black  clams,  which  take  their  colour  &  richness 
from  the  soil  mixed  with  the  sand  in  which  they  are  found,  &  they 
are  the  nearest  in  size  &  goodness  to  the  Squam  Clam.  On  the 
beautiful  spot  above  Salt  House  point  were  the  Salt  Works  erected 
by  a  Son  of  Gov.  Winthrop  at  an  early  period  of  our  history.  A 
bruising  match  this  day  upon  the  Derby  Wharf,  between  Capt.  E. 
H.  Derby,  eldest  Son  of  E.  H.  D.  &  his  Brother  in  Law  West,*  who 
married  the  eldest  daughter.  The  division  of  the  estate  is  the 
moving  cause  of  the  painful  divisions  in  that  now  unhappy  family. 

17.  Carried  my  Tide  Gage  to  the  Essex  Bridge  &  delivered  it  at 
the  Toll  House.  Yesterday  &  this  day  the  death  of  Revd.  E.  Hub- 
bard of  Marblehead  carried  me  to  that  town.  He  was  buried  this 
afternoon.  He  was  in  the  same  class  with  me  at  College  &  was  one 
year  &  one  month  older  &  settled  one  year  before  me  in  the  min- 
istry. He  was  aged  42  years  &  5  months.  The  Pall  was  supported 
by  Rev^  Forbes,  Fuller,  Wadsworth,  Barnard,  Prince  &  Mackeen. 
The  meeting  house  was  shrouded  &  Forbes  prayed.  There  was  a 
general  attendance  &  Mr.  Hubbard  was  laid  in  a  grave  near  to  his 
predecessors  upon  the  Burying  Hill.  Mr.  Hubbard  has  left  a  wife 
&  8  children  &  another  expected.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Col. 
Glover.  The  late  quarrel  is  over  &  the  parties  are  reconciled  to 
peace. 

18.  The  high  Wind  &  rain  of  this  Night  was  attended  with  a 

•Capt.  Nathaniel  Weat,  who  died  in  1801  and  was  one  of  the  last  men  io  Salem  to  wear 
smaU  elotbei. 


354  DIARY  OP  [Oct. 

very  high  Tide  which  swept  much  lumber  from  the  wharves,  floated 
such  piers  as  were  not  well  secured,  &  sunk  a  small  vessel  loaded 
with  naval  stores,  laying  at  Derby  Wharf.  The  tide  was  not  so 
high  at  noon  on  Sunday  at  the  Wharves,  but  8  inches  higher  on 
North  River,  than  in  the  preceding  night. 

19.  Sunday.  This  day  was  buried  Abigail  Curtis, aet.  86.  She 
had  followed  hard  labour  till  near  the  close  of  life  going  abroad  to 
washing  in  families.  A  good  woman.  On  15  Oct.  died  Rev* 
Ebenezer  Hubbard  of  Marblehead.  He  was  born  at  Concord,  Mass. 
in  May  1768  &  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1777.  He  was  ord.  at 
Marblehead  in  the  first  Church  in  1782,  and  had  been  happy  with 
his  people  till  they  withheld  the  additional  grants  of  Salary.  He 
then  asked  a  dismission  which  they  readily  gave  him  in  May  last. 
He  then  was  persuaded  to  represent  his  willingness  to  continue  upon 
his  original  contract  &  he  was  accepted.  His  high  temper  had 
often  involved  him  in  great  dijfficulties,  &  tho'  he  survived  this 
storm  he  fell  in  the  calm  which  succeeded  it.  He  was  a  man  of 
moderate  abilities.  The  seperation  from  his  father  in  Law  Col. 
Glover,  occasioned  for  him  great  trouble.  The  loss  of  Col.  Orne 
who  was  the  Baron  of  the  place,  was  the  loss  of  his  authority  &  he 
had  not  talents  to  win.  He  was  a  good  singer  &  since  his  difficulties 
taught  a  School  of  Children  reading  &  another  of  Church  Music. 

20.  The  tide  rose  at  the  bridge  last  Sunday  2  1/2  feet  above  the 
common  perigee  Tides,  or  the  tides  at  the  change  and  full  of  the 
Moon.  It  covered  the  Beverly  Wharves.  Mr.  Pierce  tells  me  that 
the  tide  rose  2  feet  above  the  high  tides  at  the  Fort  on  Sunday,  half 
a  foot  less  than  on  Saturday  night.  That  the  swell  was  about  two 
feet  by  the  marks  which  made  the  tide  14  feet  at  the  mean. 

24.  Dr.  Cutler  who  had  made  himself  a  Candidate  for  the  fourth 
district  at  a  Caucus  in  Newburyport,  at  which  Judge  Bradbury 
presided,  was  superceded  in  the  nomination  of  Asa  Andrews,  Esqr. 
of  Ipswich. 

25.  For  the  first  time  the  zeal  of  Caucusing  has  been  introduced 
into  Salem.  In  former  times,  particular  men  of  influence  have  met 
to  agree  upon  a  Candidate  for  office,  but  then  the  meeting  was  of 
few  &  all  upon  one  side.  Now  parties  are  armed  at  all  points,  & 
large  associations  are  forming  &  alliances  offensive  &  defensive  as 
reputation,  interest,  &  all  men  hold  dear  are  involved  in  the  con- 
troversies. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  Abigail  Jenkins,  pr.  d.  of  her  Mother 
Curtis.  Thomas  Palfrey  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Br.  in  Law  Murphy,  pr. 
for  a  Brother  at  Sea.  Samuel  Odell  &  wife  &  Sisters  &  Brothers, 
d.  of  their  Mother.  Eleanor  Voorhees,  d.  of  her  Mother  Odell,  pr. 
for  her  Husband  at  Sea.  Nancy  Masury,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband 
&  Brother  at  Sea.  Br.  Story  preached  the  first  Sunday  after  Mr. 
Hubbard's  Death  in  the  first  church  at  Marblehead  for  the  first 
time  after  fifteen  years. 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  866 

27.  Thomas  Kitteridge,  Physician  at  Andover,  appears  as  the 
opposition  Candidate  in  the  fourth  District.  As  Asa  Andrews  has 
declined  in  Ipswich,  the  Caucus  at  Newburyport  has  made  a  second 
nomination,  &  by  the  influence  of  Blanchard  of  Wenham,  have 
rehictantly  adopted  Dr.  Cutler  of  Hamilton,  the  man  who  obtained 
the  name  of  Hamilton  for  his  little  tovna.  Such  at  present  the 
Electioneering. 

30.  The  rising  sun  saluted  by  the  discharge  of  Cannon  as  the 
celebration  of  the  Birth  of  President  Adams.  The  ships  were 
dressed  accordingly.  Went  to  Beverly  to  see  the  first  example  of 
the  Kine  Pox  in  our  neighbourhood.  Dr.  Whitney  inoculated  his 
own  four  children,  the  three  eldest  females.  The  symptoms  were 
long  &  severe,  with  shivering,  pain  &  fainting  &  lasted  six  days. 
The  eldest  had  few  pustules,  but  very  sore,  was  of  a  slender  habit. 
The  second  daughter  had  it  less  severe  in  the  symptoms  but  more 
pustules  &  very  sore.  The  third  daughter  of  more  full  habit  had 
the  symptoms  very  severely  &  was  loaded  especially  about  the  face, 
arms  &  feet.  The  Son  was  very  faint,  &  feeble,  has  few  pustules, 
but  great  debility,  just  recovering.  As  I  found  the  pustules  they 
were  large  &  the  pustulous  matter  more  clear  than  commonly  in  the 
smallpox,  but  not  essentially  different.  The  pustules  did  pit,  were 
not  much  inflamed  at  the  edges,  were  confluent,  &  of  bright  yellow 
when  drying  away.  Firing  was  continued  all  the  day  in  different 
parts  of  the  Town,  &  a  party  regaled  themselves  at  the  North  Bridge. 

Nov.  2  [1800].  Sunday.  Note.  Edward  Allen  &  wife&  family, 
d.  of  her  Brother  Jesse  Lockart,  Co.  of  Hyde,  N.  Carolina,  &  2  sons 
at  Sea 

3.  The  day  of  election  of  Members  for  Congress.  Every  prepara- 
tion was  made  in  Salem  by  both  parties  &  the  Candidates  were  as 
before.  As  the  Poll  was  closed  before  2  o'clock,  it  was  now  open 
till  4. 

4.  Great  alarm  respecting  the  Cow  Pox.  The  family  I  visited 
Oct.  30  are  now  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  the  Small  Pox. 
Little  of  this  town  has  inoculated  his  own  child.  The  matter  which 
W^hitney  employed  is  suspected  &  all  the  attempts  cannot  quiet  the 
public  mind.  Dr.  Holyoke  doubts  whether  it  be  the  Small  pox,  as 
the  Chicken  pox  may  be  confluent,  &c.  Many  Physicians  say  they 
proceed  with  great  success. 

7.  The  Representatives  of  Salem  who  wrote  a  Letter  in  favour 
of  Read,  challenge  an  explanation  &  pretend  that  in  the  whole 
affair  they  had  no  regard  to  public  character,  tho'  they  &  they  only 
signed  conjointly.  Their  Constituents  ought  to  know  how  to 
appreciate  their  services.  Dr.  Cutler  has  the  unanimous  consent  of 
his  people  to  go  to  Congress  &  perhaps  he  might  obtain  it  as  readily 
to  leave  them  forever. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  Jonathan  Beckford  &  wife,  d.  of  his 
Sister  Archer,  pr.  for  Br.  &  Sister  in  N.  H.,  pr.  for  a  Br.  at  Sea. 


356  DIARY  OP  [Nov. 

William  Patterson  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 
Edward  Archer,  her  delivery.  Revd.  Joua.  Stickney,  ord.  at  Ray- 
mond, N.  H.,  was  from  Newburyport  &  had  not  a  public  education, 
but  had  been  till  lately  a  goldsmith.  Died  at  Washington,  formerly 
Cambden,  N.  H.,  C.  of  Cheshire,  Eevd.  George  Leslie  aet.  73.  This 
was  the  man  who  entered  into  controversy  with  Thayer,  the  Catholic, 
soon  after  his  return  to  America.  He  was  settled  in  a  parish  of 
Ipswich,  Mass.  formerly  called  Fire  town,  where  Mr.  Williams  now 
is  incumbent. 

11.  In  consequence  of  the  imprudent  management  of  the  Cow 
Pox,  the  real  Small  pox  has  been  spread  over  Marblehead,  &  yes- 
terday the  Town  agreed  upon  a  general  Inoculation.  The  poverty 
of  the  Town  must  render  this  a  distressing  calamity.  This  day 
there  was  a  Meeting  at  Beverly,  but  by  the  artifice  of  some,  the 
Committee  which  was  chosen  were  put  under  the  care  of  the  Select- 
men, &  so  all  measures  were  overruled.  There  is  to  be  a  meeting 
in  Salem  on  Thursday  next  on  the  same  subject.  Dr.  Little  by 
sending  the  patients  inoculated  in  his  own  house,  to  the  hospital 
upon  the  first  alarm  has  prevented  much  public  uneasiness,  and  no 
one  has  yet  had  the  Natural  small  pox  in  Salem. 

12.  Mr.  Goodhue  of  this  Town  has  resigned  his  seat  in  the 
Senate  of  U.  States. 

13.  At  the  Town  Meeting  all  concerns  relating  to  the  Small  Pox 
were  left  to  the  Selectmen  &  Health  Committee. 

14.  At  the  Supreme  Court  in  this  Town  this  day,  one  person 
from  Rowley  was  found  guilty  of  adultery,  &  another  belonging  to 
N.  H.  of  forgery.  The  first  was  sentenced  to  two  months'  impris- 
onment &  to  a  fine  of  50  dollars  or  the  pillory.  The  last  to  the 
pillory  &  to  have  his  ear  cut.  This  day  was  biu-ied  Thomas  Duck- 
ingfield,  the  late  Town  Crier.  He  was  a  Mulatto  &  had  been  an 
occasional  Servant  to  Gen.  Washington.  He  attended  upon  the 
Courts,  upon  Assemblies,  the  bellows  of  the  Organ,  &c.,  &  was  well 
known  for  his  singular  manners,  &  great  integrity.  George  Crown- 
inshield  &  Sons  have  given  two  hundred  Dollars  to  Marblehead  to 
relieve  them  under  the  present  general  inoculation  for  the  Small 
Pox. 

16.  Sunday.  They  have  hired  a  Baptist  Preacher  in  Beverly 
for  one  year.  He  pretends  to  the  use  of  the  Hebrew  bible,  which 
he  sent  to  the  book  binders'  in  Salem.  This  is  a  depth  of  knowledge 
uncommon  among  the  Clergy  of  this  denomination.  Dr.  Foster  who 
lived  at  the  New  Mills  in  Danvers  &  was  the  Father  of  the  Baptist 
Society  in  that  place,  &  who  removed  from  thence  to  Newport, 
R.  L,  &  thence  to  New  York,  was  the  only  Baptist  minister  to  whose 
knowledge  of  Hebrew  I  have  any  information  in  America.  Condy 
of  Boston  was  their  best  Belles  Lettres  Scholar  &  a  friend  of 
James  Foster  of  London. 

17.  A  Moose  exhibited  as  a  Natural  Curiosity  for  /9d.     Brought 


1800]  WILLIAM    BBNTLEY,    D.    D.  857 

from  the  province  of  Maine.  An  Ape  was  exhibited  at  the  same 
place  in  the  full  dress  of  a  Sailor. 

22.  The  Storm  drove  in  the  Tide  at  Salem  so  that  it  rose  above 
fifteen  feet  on  a  gage  at  the  Bridge  on  which  it  commonly  rises  but 
to  eleven.  At  the  ebb  it  was  below  one  on  the  same  gage.  The 
night  tide  was  inconsiderable.  The  Storm  so  beat  on  the  sandy 
shore  from  the  Bridge  to  Morton's  point  as  to  leave  a  perpendicular 
bank  from  1  to  3  feet  where  was  a  gentle  descent  &  at  Windmill 
point  in  the  North  River  it  laid  bare  all  the  roots  of  the  Locusts, 
within  the  fence,  &  partly  buried  the  fence  in  the  sands.  The  same 
waste  was  seen  from  the  point  within  Salem  Bar  «&  Hospital  point. 

27.  Thanksgiving  Day.  The  weather  mild.  Contributions  as 
at  the  last.  The  Music  was  good,  &  was  assisted  by  Dr.  Hardy  of 
Bradford,  Mr.  Lefevre  of  the  Town  &  by  Monsieur  Maurice,  Teach- 
er of  Music  and  Dancing  in  Salem.  This  French  gentleman  was 
excellent  upon  the  Violin.  A  Musical  Composition  published  by 
Holden  of  Charleston,  called  West  End,  was  performed  after  Sermon. 
Monsieur  Maurice  had  a  ball  in  the  evening,  the  first  time  in  Salem 
by  any  public  notification  in  the  Gazettes. 

29.  The  spreading  of  the  Small  pox  creates  great  uneasiness  in 
Marblehead.  17  have  already  died  of  the  Infection,  &  there  are 
reports  that  the  Physician  who  incautiously  spread  the  disease  has 
been  shot  at  with  a  pistol.  As  the  sickness  now  becomes  serious 
we  are  anxious  for  Consequences.  The  use  of  the  Kine  pox  has 
not  been  unequivocally  successful,  &  we  hear  that  Waterhouse*  has 
written  to  some  patients  his  apprehensions  of  some  of  his  variolous 
matter.  In  Salem  all  Inoculation  has  been  prevented  for  the  pres- 
ent in  any  form.  The  persons  in  our  Hospital  all  do  well.  The 
Gazette  gives  notice  that  William  Black  the  Scotchman,  who  has 
lately  married  Col.  Pierce's  daughter  &  who  challenged  Gibaut  for 
the  questions  of  his  literary  pretentions,  is  dead,  aged  26  years. 

30.  Sunday.  In  Upper  Beverly  difficulties  remain  &  some  have 
visited  the  Episcopal  Church  in  this  Town  to  avoid  taxes.  Wen- 
ham  is  unsupplied. 

December  2  [1800].  Our  Lodge  Choice  of  Officers.  Same 
Master  in  the  Chair.  The  Lodge  was  for  the  first  time  decorated. 
W^e  had  hitherto  been  contented  to  set  at  a  board  covered  with  a 
cloath  &  supported  on  legs.  Now  the  Master  &  Wardens  have 
each  a  pedestal,  &  the  Master  a  Canopy.  The  Seats  are  around  the 
room,  the  officers  in  different  places.  The  Bible  is  large  with  Sil- 
ver Emblems  &  with  an  handsome  damask  Cushing.  Other  decora- 
tions appear  for  the  first  time  in  this  Lodge. 

5.  The  attention  of  Salem,  from  the  introduction  of  an  Organ,  is 
to  Singing.  The  North  Society  have  raised  a  small  building  for  the 
purpose  &  the  South  Society  use  a  Hall  near  them  occupied,  by  Mr. 
Town.   Mr.  Holyoke  is  to  teach  the  North  Society.    Our  own  fate  is 

•A  pbyeician  &t  Cambridge. 


358  DIARY  OF  [Dec 

not  determined.     The  zeal  of  the  North  Society  will  probably  ter- 
minate iu  an  organ  where  it  begins. 

6.  This  day  died  Charles  Collins,  mate  of  the  Ship  Recovery, 
from  a  bruise  he  received  by  the  fall  of  a  hogshead  out  of  the 
Hooks.  He  was  a  very  industrious,  faithful  &  very  active  man. 
He  was  from  Ireland. 

11.  Our  fire  Club  met  this  day  &  dined  at  the  Ship,  kept  by 
Bufifington.  Some  misunderstanding  occasioned  our  removal  from 
Gen.  Abbot's  for  the  first  time.  Capt.  William  Ward  was  received 
at  this  meeting. 

12.  An  address  to  the  Humane  Society  in  behalf  of  George 
Crowninshield,  Junr.  at  the  request  of  Richard  Manning  whose  son 
John  was  saved  from  drowning  25  Oct.  1800. 

13.  The  cruel  invective  against  Mrs.  Rogers*  was  from  Dr.  Ber- 
nard. It  was  obtained  by  Capt.  Nichols  who  wishes  to  dissolve  an 
intimacy  formed  between  his  Daughter  &  Story  the  Poet  of  Mar- 
blehead.  The  Dr.  in  the  purity  of  his  heart  endeavoured  to  extend 
the  censure  so  as  to  deprive  a  widow  &  her  four  children  of  subsis- 
tence. Mr.  Gushing  refused  the  answer  &  we  are  to  have  it  in  the 
Imp.  Register. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Gunnison  &  wife,  daughter  dang, 
sick  in  Charity  House.  Deborah  Sage,  her  delivery,  husband  at 
sea.  Josiah  Gatchel  &  wife,  her  delivery.  Upon  enquiry  of  Mr. 
W.  Winthrop  I  searched  for  the  ordination  of  Joseph  Browne  at 
Charlestown.  I  find  only  the  tradition  of  the  family  who  left  Sa- 
lem in  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  &  his  dismission  to  the  Church 
in  Charlestown,  Feb.  1674. 

15.  An  answer  appeared  to  the  inclement  writings  of  Dr.  Ber- 
nard against  Mrs,  Rogers.  The  black  Coat  is  not  off  and  the  Saint 
found  to  be  the  Sinner. 

17.  Mr.  Foster,  one  of  Marblehead  assisted  by  the  Town  of  Sa- 
lem during  the  Small  pox,  dined  with  me.  He  is  facetious  at  above 
four-score. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  Abigail  Knapp,  delivery,  Husband  & 
friends  at  Sea.  Samuel  Archer  &  wife,  her  delivery,  friends  at  Sea. 
There  are  more  serious  appearances  of  forming  a  Baptist  society  in 
Beverly  than  formerly.     Mr.  Young  at  present  is  their  Minister. 

23.  This  morning  died  in  Walnut  street,  Hubartus  Mattoon,  aet. 
78.  He  removed  from  Newcastle,  N.  H.  after  his  marriage  &  was 
a  zealous  follower  of  Whitaker  &  an  Elder  of  his  Church,  &  he  nev- 
er renounced  his  attachment.  He  was  as  far  from  beauty  as  he 
could  be  without  deformity,  &  as  brutal  in  his  zeal  as  he  could  be 
without  persecution.  He  was  ignorant,  noisy,  petulant,  but  happily 
neither  his  organs  nor  his  abilities  made  him  intelligible.  He  was 
a  Blacksmith  with  the  same  fame  as  he  was  religious.  There  was 
no  polish,  no  invention  &  no  praise  in  what  he  did,  more  than  iu 

•A  well-known  school  mistreaa. 


REV.   THOMAS   BARNARD. 
From   the   painting   in   possession  of  the   North   Church,    Salem. 


1800]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D,  369 

what  he  said.  He  declined  at  last  into  intemperance,  dishonesty, 
&  derangement  &  died  of  a  cancer  which  took  away  all  his  face,  & 
made  him  as  gastly  to  behold  as  he  was  terrible  to  hear.  His  wife 
was  glad  he  was  dead  &  even  Charity  had  not  a  tear,  tho'  she  com- 
forted him  in  his  sickness  &  carried  him  to  the  grave.  The  race  is 
extinct,  &  like  the  Mammoth  nothing  is  left  but  his  bones. 

25.  I  rode  to  Boston  to  spend  Christmas  among  my  relations  & 
with  my  parents.  I  reached  the  Chapel  in  the  Ante  Communion 
Service,  &  heard  Mr.  Freeman's  excellent  Sermon  on  the  desire  of 
all  Nations.  Had  he  dropped  the  spiritual  &  typical  part  altogeth- 
er &  adduced  Virgil's  poem  in  favour  of  the  united  consent  in  the 
morals  of  the  gospel  or  had  he  added  even  Plato's  discription  of  a 
just  man,  he  might  not  have  rendered  the  discourse  less  valuable  to 
my  taste.  The  Church  music  was  excellent  also  &  assisted  by  the 
great  Rea,  whose  astonishing  voice  still  retains  its  force  &  command 
after  70  years  of  age.  I  dined  with  my  father.  In  the  afternoon  I 
went  to  the  Universal  Church  at  which  the  Music  was  good  but  not 
so  commmanding  as  at  the  Stone  Chapel.  The  Mountebank  preach- 
er J.  Murray  began  his  services  by  reading  a  Chapter  in  Luke  & 
then  he  prayed  in  the  incomprehensible  language  of  Relly.  The 
Spiritual  hymns  of  the  same  man  fed  the  music  &  the  Sermon  was 
upon  Emanuel  God  with  us.  The  remarks  were  curious  &  gave 
good  opportunity  for  reply.  It  was  astonishing  that  all  men.  did 
not  see  the  Trinity?  Was  it  not  astonishing  that  all  men  did  not 
see  Universal  salvation?  We  could  not  find  out  God  to  perfection, 
nor  by  searching  find  out  God.  But  may  we  not  be  at  liberty  to 
put  a  sense  on  what  is  told  us?  And  what  else  is  a  revelation?  but 
something  brought  down  to  us.  In  shewing  the  Trinity  he  was  a 
Swedenborgian  as  the  human  of  Jesus  was  as  body  to  spirit,  &  God 
did  not  die,  because  a  man's  body  only  dies.  The  pronoun  us  gave 
a  great  field  to  expatiate  upon  human  nature,  &  with  us  he  that  is 
not  for  us  is  against  us.  A  pretty  rant,  &c.  The  evening  I  spent 
with  the  family. 

26.  I  spent  this  morning  in  searching  the  Garretts  of  Mr.  Wol- 
cut  for  the  Books  which  he  had  collected  &  I  was  pleased  to  find  a 
lai'ge  collection  of  most  useful  American  publications'. 

27.  Our  Essex  Lodge  celebrated  the  feast  of  St.  John  &  it 
was  my  office  to  deliver  an  Address.  Gen.  Abbot  furnished  a  good 
dinner  in  his  hall,  &  there  were  27.60  cents  collected  in  charity 
&  three  widows  to  share  it.  We  had  a  ver}-  agreable  day  &  some 
visiting  Brethren  from  Beverly.  It  was  so  warm  we  opened  the 
windows. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  Ruth  Briggs,  d.  of  her  son  John  at  Ha- 
vanna.  Martha  Harrington,  d.  of  Husband  drowned  on  Coast  of 
Georgia,*  Br.  at  Sea.  Mansfield  Burrill  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Son  in 
Law  Harrington,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea. 

*Capt.  Klisba  Harrington,  in  a  brig  from  Jamaica. 


360  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

29.  The  domestic  topic  is  the  New  Road  intended  at  present  on 
the  north  side  of  Gallows  Hill,  through  the  Sheep  pasture  &  con- 
tinued through  Lynn  Lotts  south  of  Flax  pond,  on  to  Lynn  Com- 
mon. It  is  then  said  it  will  be  continued  on  the  South  side  of  the 
Burying  Ground  over  the  marshes  to  reach  the  new  road  to  Boston, 
if  not  to  Chelsea  &  so  over  Mystic  river  to  Charlestown  point.  The 
whole  is  a  project  suggested  by  the  thought  of  a  new  rojid  to  New- 
bur)^ort,  which  is  to  save  4  miles.     This  might  save  5  miles. 

31.  The  result  of  the  family  Contribution  for  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Isle  of  Shoals  was  12  Cotton  Shirts,  6  ditto,  6  Cotton  Shirts 
for  Children,  9  Cotton  gowns,  11  Handkerchiefs,  7  Blue  checked 
Shirts,  3  new  red  baize  petticoats,  3  loose  gowns  of  red  baize,  one 
tow  sheet,  2  pair  of  men's  drawers,  linen,  3  old  baize  petticoats, 
one  old  loose  green  gown,  one  stuff  gown,  3  quilted  petticoats,  one 
linen  long  loose  gown,  2  old  skirts,  2  old  Children's  cloaks,  3  pair 
of  worsted  stockings,  14  pieces  of  bedding,  9  hats,  4  pair  of  boots, 
2  pair  of  shoes,  12  pair  of  breeches,  2  men's  coats,  13  Children's 
Trousers,  21  Children's  Jackets  &  Coats,  One  Bed  tick,  one  bundle 
of  rags  &  thread,  &c.,  154  Articles. 

January  1,  1801.  The  weather  still  mild.  The  news  as  moder- 
ate as  the  weather.  All  Business  continues  abroad,  uninterrupted 
by  winter.  Wood  does  not  rise.  The  small  flight  of  snow  does 
not  assist  the  Sled  in  town.  Last  Tuesday  evening  died  Mr.  Jona. 
Phelps,  aet.  93  last  October  &  the  oldest  man  in  Salem.  He  has 
been  able  to  go  about  till  the  close  of  life,  excepting  a  little  con- 
finement to  the  house  in  his  last  illness.  For  the  last  fortnight  he 
took  little  nourishment,  but  preserved  his  senses  in  his  last  hours 
&  his  love  of  life.  He  was  by  trade  a  Blacksmith.  Not  over  fond 
of  labour,  scheming,  warm  in  the  vulgar  theology  of  strong  pas- 
sions, but  addicted  to  no  excesses.  Interested  himself  easily  in 
everything  he  said.  In  person  of  moderate  size,  a  good  chest,  slen- 
der legs,  large  head,  vigorous  eye,  long  depressed  nose,  small 
hand.  He  has  left  a  numerous  offspring.  His  death  it  is  said, 
leaves  the  first  place  in  age  to  Mr.  Samuel  Curwin,  Son  of  the  for- 
mer minister,  who  is  of  the  thinnest  habit  &  at  50  was  supposed  by 
the  physician  to  be  of  the  most  slender  habit.  Mr.  Jonathan 
Phelps  had  posterity,  12  children,  83  g.  children,  97  g.  g.  children, 
&  2  g.  g.  g.  children,  194,  of  which  138  are  now  living. 

2.  Was  present  for  the  first  Time  with  Mrs.  Rogers'  Reading 
school,  &c.  This  woman  is  suffering  from  the  base  invectives  of  a 
writer  in  the  Salem  Gazette  whose  name  can  not  be  obtained.  It 
may  cost  her  her  life. 

4.  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Carroll  &  wife  &  family  for  their 
only  Son  missing  at  Sea.  Abigail  Rogers  in  her  present  illness. 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Bradford  minister  of  Rowley  lower  Parish  died  sud- 
denly  last  Friday,  set.  55,  He  was  in  his  pulpit  on  the  preceding 
Sunday.     He  has  been  a  very  excentric  man,  so  that  this  wit  was 


1801]  WILLIAM   BKNTLET,   D.   D.  361 

attached  to  him.  "  Ministers  made  here  cheap  for  Cash  or  short 
credit."  He  opposed  the  necessity  of  a  public  education  &  did  not 
substitute  an  adequate  private  education  in  its  stead.  He  intro- 
duced Mr.  Spaulding  of  Salem  into  the  ministry  in  the  same  way. 
He  was  enthusiastic  in  his  manner  &  once  declaiming  in  Manches- 
ter pulpit  he  was  ordered  out  by  one  of  the  assembly.  He  made 
Democracy  odious  also  by  his  absurd  opposition  to  some  national 
measures  &  lost  the  confidence  of  the  Association  to  which  he  be- 
longed by  sermons  which  he  printed.  He  also  printed  a  Courtship 
as  a  guide  in  this  business  which  was  treated  with  great  contempt. 
Of  late  years  little  has  been  said  about  him,  as  his  influence  was 
gone.  He  was  a  man  of  good  person,  sanguine,  but  not  destitute  of 
good  natural  abilities,  yet  of  little  discretion,  &  judgment. 

5.  At  Mrs.  Ingersoll's  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  an  old  Trea- 
tise of  Navigation  introduced  into  this  Town  in  the  first  century 
among  its  first  settlers.  The  beginning  was  gone,  the  charts  were 
all  dutch  &  expressed  that  they  were  given  by  Peter  Goes  in  1665. 
The  work  was  entitled  the  Lightning  Sea  Columne  or  Sea  Mariner. 
It  was  in  two  parts  large  folio.  There  were  some  reckoning  in 
writing  on  the  blank  leaves  &  some  scrawlings  of  young  children. 
This  had  been  the  property  of  their  grandfather  Ingersoll. 

7.  This  day  the  East  India  Marine  Society  made  their  second 
Annual  appearance  &  dined  together  at  Webb's.  The  dressing  of 
one  of  their  company  in  a  Mandarin's  dress,  was  no  compliment 
paid  to  themselves  on  the  occasion.  Might  they  not  rather  have 
given  the  dress  to  one  of  their  Servants  or  have  exhibited  a  figure 
to  the  wondering  multitude. 

8.  Died  in  this  Town,  Capt.  John  Clarke,  set.  82,  father  of  the 
late  much  esteemed  Kev'd  John  Clarke  of  Boston.  He  lived  much 
of  his  life  as  a  Mariner  at  Portsmouth  where  he  was  born  &  re- 
moved to  Salem  in  the  war  to  live  with  the  relatives  of  his  wife 
who  was  a  daughter  of  the  well  known  deacon  Timothy  Pickering 
&  sister  of  the  late  Secretary  Pickering.  He  has  left  a  "Widow  & 
one  daughter.  He  has  long  been  beyond  his  services  tho'  he  wrote 
at  times  in  the  Kegister's  ofiice.  Capt.  Clarke  was  agreable,  of 
good  natural  powers,  not  much  cultivated.  He  was  not  so  circum- 
spect as  he  ought  to  have  been  towards  the  close  of  life. 

11.  Sunday.  Notes.  Aaron  Kehew  &  wife,  her  delivery,  d.  of 
his  father,  Brs.  at  Sea.  Sarah  Kehew,  d.  of  her  Father  in  Law, 
Husb.  &  Brethren  at  Sea. 

12.  By  letters  missive  I  learn  that  Rev.  Philips  Payson  D.  D., 
of  Chelsea,  died  on  Sunday  morning  &  that  his  funeral  is  to  be  on 
Thursday. 

13.  Marblehead  is  to  be  opened  this  day.  Only  one  under 
Smallpox.  They  acknowledge  to  have  received  3770  Dollars  in 
Cash  besides  other  valuable  donations.  200  from  Crowninshield  & 
Son,  2800  from  Salem,  100  from  Hon.  Gerry,  200  in  effects  from 


362  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

Andover,  600  from  Boston,  50  from  Messieurs  Story.  Our  East 
India  Marine  Society  was  formed  Nov.  1799  &  has  53  members.  50 
of  them  Captains  in  the  Indies.  Died  this  morning  after  a  short 
illness,  Elizabeth  Bancroft,*  d.  of  Hale  Ives.  An  early  acquain- 
tance with  the  mother  who  was  a  Bray  &  a  disconsolate  widow  led 
me  to  record  this  painful  event. 

14.  Catharine  Graves  has  died  at  Beverly,  aet.  96,  the  oldest 
person  in  that  Town. 

15.  Took  stage  for  Boston  in  order  to  be  at  Chelsea  at  the  fun- 
eral of  the  Eevd.  Philips  Payson,  D.  D.  The  Hackney  coach  which 
I  took  from  Boston  in  company  with  Dr.  Eliot  did  not  reach  Chel- 
sea till  the  funeral  service  was  nearly  over.  It  was  very  rainy  and 
no  persons  could  attend  on  foot.  The  Ceremonies  of  the  procession 
began  at  the  Meeting  House  &  instead  of  passing  in  the  usual  road, 
we  passed  through  the  inclosed  grounds  to  the  graveyard  near  the 
Meeting  House.  The  pall  was  supported  by  Revd.  Mr.  Forbes,  Dr. 
Cutler,  Dr.  Bernard,  Revs.  Mackeen,  Bentley  &  Greene.  There 
were  six  Doctors  of  Divinity  present,  but  the  old  rule  of  preferring 
the  associated  Clergy  obtained.  I  returned  to  Boston.  Dr.  Ber- 
nard delivered  the  funeral  discourse  &  Mr.  Forbes  prayed.  The 
Escutcheons  on  the  Coffin  said  aet.  65.  He  was  buried  near  his 
predecessor  Chever,  in  a  common  grave.  Drs.  Thacher,  Howard, 
Osgood  &  Eliot  &  Rev.  T.  C.  Thacher  of  Lynn  attended.  I  find 
political  heat  greater  in  Boston  than  in  Salem  &  ten  thousand  more 
inflammable  materials.  I  walked  through  the  North  End  & 
found  the  part  north  of  Winnisimet  ferry  opened  &  much  im- 
proved. In  the  North  Burying  Ground  I  did  not  find  new  grave 
stones  enough  to  supply  the  place  of  those  which  had  been  thrown 
down  or  thrown  away.  After  dinner  I  returned  in  the  stage  to 
Salem. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Collins,  wid.,  delivery,  d.  of  her 
Child,  very  sick.  Son  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Bartlet,  wid.,  danger  from 
a  fall,  Two  Sons  at  Sea.  Robert  Smith  &  wife  for  her  sick  &  very 
weak.  Joshua  Phippen,  wife  &  Children  for  her  very  sick,  pr.  for 
a  Son  at  Sea.  Mary  Tozzer,  delivery,  Husband  absent.  Sara  Mil- 
let, delivery,  Husband  at  Sea. 

22.  William  Belstead,  a  famous  musician,  has  died  at  Boston, 
aged  49.  It  is  said  that  he  has  been  Organist  for  Trinity  Church 
in  Boston  20  years.  He  was  distinguished  upon  his  violin  which 
he  often  played  when  seemingly  oppressed  by  sleep  &  utterly  un- 
able to  answer  to  his  name. 

24.  We  were  in  great  danger  last  night  from  a  fire  which  had 
begun  in  the  printing  office  but  it  was  providentially  extinguished. 
Frances,  the  wife  of  the  Hon.  B.  Goodhue,  was  buried  this  after- 
noon set.  49. 

25.  Sunday.     Notes.     William  Foster  &  wife,  d.  of  their  eldest 

•Wife  of  Thomas  Bancroft,  H.  C.  1788. 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  868 

child,  Brs.  at  Sea.     Joshua  Webb  &  wife,  delivery,  pr.  for  Bretliren 
at  Sea. 

25.  Sunday.  They  have  given  a  call  to  Mr.  Dow  at  Upper 
Beverly,  the  same  man  who  had  a  call  at  Wenham  &  declined  the 
acceptance.  Mr.  Chipman,  son  of  the  former  minister,  withdraws. 
Mr.  Oliver  is  yet  upon  the  spot.  Dr.  Bernard  of  Salem  preached 
at  the  funeral  of  Dr.  Payson.  Mr.  Kirkland,  the  famed  Federal 
preacher,  has  introduced  the  custom  of  party  dancing  by  actually 
dancing  in  a  set  Company.  As  the  Society  had  been  distressed  by 
Mr.  Everet's  Indiscretion  before  marriage,  a  violation  of  an  antieut 
rule  ought  not  hastily  to  have  been  practiced.  A.  B.  Fenelon  would 
have  told  him,  let  them  dance,  but  do  not  dance  yourself.  This 
polite  gentleman  may  find  it  a  mistake  as  to  the  influence  of  relig- 
ion &  perhaps  of  the  happy  reputation  of  ministers. 

26.  Last  Saturday  night  an  attempt  was  made  to  put  lire  to  the 
Store  of  Jonathan  Archer.  Our  House  had  been  fired  into  &  Carl- 
ton's Printing  Office  had  been  on  fire  in  the  same  week.  A  reward 
is  offered.  We  are  told  four  Banks  are  contemplated  in  Essex,  be- 
sides the  three  now  in  the  County.  Col.  Revere  in  his  note  on  the 
price  of  Bells,  says,  "  The  price  we  have  for  a  Bell  is  two  shillings 
&  eight  pence  p''  pound.  I  give  twenty  cents  p"^  lb.  for  old  Bells 
if  the  metal  is  good."  The  Widow  Gerald  died  in  our  Charity 
House,  said  to  be  aged  93. 

28.  Had  the  sublime  pleasure  of  the  company  of  tale  bearers, 
who  not  in  brief  but  in  full  related  the  complaints  that  I  was  long 
in  my  services,  so  said  P.,  so  said  B.  He  that  ruleth  his  spirit  is 
better  than  he  that  taketh  a  strong  citv. 

Feb.  1,  1801.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Foster  &  wife,  d.  of 
another  &  only  Child,  pr.  for  brethren  at  Sea.  Mary  Knap,  d.  of 
her  g.  child  Foster,  pr.  for  Children  at  Sea.  Emmons  Smith  & 
wife,  her  sick,  pr.  for  3  Sons  at  Sea. 

7.  Last  evening  died  John  Fisk,  aet.  21.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  pupil  of  mine  &  Benoni  to  me,  but  as  soon  as  he  was  admit- 
ted into  the  University  he  became  intemperate.  All  means  were 
used  to  reclaim  him.  He  went  to  Sea  &  was  a  prisoner  in  France, 
but  no  sufferings  ever  changed  him.  Through  the  worst  stages  of 
intemperance  &  after  repeated  attempts  to  destroy  life,  he  expired 
in  the  pains  which  his  excesses  had  produced,  with  the  consent  of 
all  his  friends  to  this  event  of  divine  providence.  He  was  the  only 
Son  of  General  John  Fisk  &  the  last  of  the  name,  descended  from 
Rev"*  Samuel  Fisk  &  the  last  of  the  descendants  of  the  primitive 
John  Fisk  that  has  been  born  in  Salem. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Whittemore  &  children,  d.  of  her 
Son  abroad,  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Margarett  Strout,  d.  of  her  only 
daughter,  pr.  for  husband  abroad  &  for  aged  parent  in  decline.  The 
wonderful  meteors,  earthquakes,  torrents,  &c.  have  been  employed 
to   excite   religious  fears  &  to  promote  secular  ends.     Much  has 


364  DIABT  OF  [Feb. 

been  said  of  them  in  the  Gazettes.  Mr.  Breck,  formerly  minister 
of  Topsfield,  Mass.,  then  of  Hartland,  Vt,  &  now  living  in  the  last 
place,  mentions  a  religious  stir  in  that  neighbourhood.  In  New- 
bury Port  the  religious  convulsions  are  the  greatest  height.  The 
ministers,  Spring,  Dana,  Bodily  &  Milton  have  engaged  heart  & 
hand  in  the  work,  &  they  have  a  lecture  every  evening,  but  the 
meetings  are  confined  to  the  Public  Meeting  Houses.  At  these 
times  Men,  Women  &  Children  are  permitted  to  pray,  exhort  & 
speak.  The  new  experiment  of  these  public  places,  it  is  insinuated, 
is  to  prevent  any  advantages  which  the  Methodists  &  Baptists 
might  take  of  private  houses,  &  to  distinguish  &  detect  the  converts 
of  the  latter  sects.  There  are  such  preachers  in  the  place  who  ob- 
serve the  policy.  Ministers  come  into  Newbury  Port  from  other 
Towns  to  assist  the  good  work.  Bishop  Bass  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  observes  his  usual  prudence,  &  Messieurs  Cary  &  Andrews 
of  the  first  Church  are  obliged  to  a  painful  silence  from  the  inter- 
course these  enthusiasts  have  with  their  own  people.  There  are 
those  who  wish  to  extend  such  enthusiasm  throughout  our  county. 

9.  Wrote  to  Capt.  Prat  of  Orford  respecting  the  Flagons  &  3 
dishes  for  the  Communion  which  we  have  agreed  to  give  for  the 
use  of  the  Church  in  the  place  where  he  resides. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Edward  Allen  &  wife,  d.  of  her  only 
Brother  John  Fiske.  Ruth  Babbidge,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  at 
Sea.  The  fanaticism  of  the  Clergy  of  Newbury  Port  has  exhibited 
a  new  example  of  Clerical  stupidity.  One  Eliphalet  Gillet,  or- 
dained at  Hallowell,  Kennebeck  C,  &  educated  under  Spring  of 
Newbury  Port,  had  made  proposals  of  marriage  to  a  daughter  of 
Dr.  Coffin  of  Newbury  Port,  &  had  come  up  to  be  married.  Every 
thing  was  prepared  &  the  Company  had  assembled.  The  Bride  & 
Bridegroom  retired  &  delayed  to  return.  Enquiry  was  made  for 
them.  The  Bridegroom  returned  &  represented  as  he  had  no  evi- 
dence of  a  saving  change  in  his  intended  wife,  he  must  decline  the 
marriage.  Such  are  the  stupid  enthusiasts  which  yet  exist  in  New 
England. 

16.  I  am  told  the  young  people  of  both  sexes  have  had  separate 
meetings  on  the  subject  of  the  continued  abuse  of  Mrs.  Rogers  & 
her  pupils.  The  Salem  Gazette  dared  not  to  print  the  second  in- 
vective. It  appeared  in  the  last  Centinel.  The  Sportive  females 
known  as  the  Social  group  &  the  Musketo  Fleet,  terms  applied  by 
the  gay  youth  of  the  other  sex,  have  been  in  form  arraigned  at  the 
bar  of  the  public  in  the  Centinel.  The  subject  has  arrested  the 
public  notice  &  will  doubtless  end  as  such  things  ought  in  the  pun- 
ishment or  contempt  of  the  Aggressors. 

27.  Capt.  Gibaut  reached  town,  after  his  return  from  his  East 
India  Voyage.  From  the  state  of  his  health  we  have  had  little 
hopes  of  his  return. 

28.  The  Virulence  of  a  secret  enemy  still  is  employed  on  the 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  365 

School  affair  &  I  am  the  subject  of  all  the  malevolence  which  the 
Centinel  could  utter. 

March  1  [1801].  Sunday.  Note.  Josiah  Rhodes  Atwell,  her 
delivery.  At  1/2  past  three  O'clock  the  Congregation  supposed 
that  they  felt  a  shock  of  an  Earthquake.  It  was  small  but  heard 
in  all  parts  of  the  Town. 

2.     Sent  to  Boston  with  orders  to  stop  the  Centinel  &  to  pay  off. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  Richard  Manning  &  Brothers  &  Sisters,  d. 
of  Sister  Elizabeth.  Robert  Smith  &  Children,  d.  of  his  wife. 
Emmons  Smith,  pr.  for  his  wife  sick,  pr.  for  two  sons  at  sea. 

9.  By  enquiries  at  the  point  near  Beverly  ferry,  formerly  Bev- 
erly Ferry,  in  regard  to  the  Houses,  five  in  number,  now  standing, 
but  much  decayed,  it  appears  that  John  Massey's  house  was  built  as 
early  as  1684,  has  been  a  Tavern  till  lately,  much  enlarged,  &,  has 
been  occupied  by  Mr.  Waters'  Son  &  heirs.  Robert  Smith,  Ship 
Carpenter,  built  the  house  on  the  left  side  of  the  bank  which  was 
afterwards  made  a  double  house  by  his  Son  in  Law  Grant.  About 
1690  was  the  first  building.  His  son  Robert  Smith  built  the  large 
house  on  the  height  of  Land,  about  1716  &  built  vessels  below  on 
the  shore,  &  this  House  is  now  occupied  by  his  Son  Robert,  aged  76. 
Mr.  John  Symonds  of  Northfields,  Ship  Carpenter,  married  the 
only  daughter  of  the  first  Robert  Smith  &  built  a  House  opposite 
his  brother  Robert  about  1720.  These  were  the  only  two  children 
of  the  first  Robert  Smith.  Robert  Smith  the  second,  built  the  low- 
er house  on  the  right  hand  in  1760  for  his  son  in  law  Giles,  &  it  still 
remains  in  the  same  hands. 

12.  The  remains  of  the  old  Tavern  House  fronting  Market  street 
&  which  has  been  employed  as  the  Sun  Tavern  for  30  years,  be- 
longing to  the  Estate  of  Browne,  are  now  entirely  removed. 

13.  Mr.  Macnulty  tells  me  that  Mr.  Tytler  the  Scotch  Emigrant 
is  about  to  compile  a  great  &  small  geography.  This  man  has  com- 
piled against  Paine,  on  the  yellow  fever,  &  several  other  things  in 
America,  without  great  success.  His  poetry,  Sunrising  in  the 
West,  is  indeed  siii  generis.  Mr.  Macnulty  has  published  a  book 
of  Kimball's  Psalmody.  This  young  man  was  very  amiable,  till 
he  become  addicted  to  intemperance.  It  is  lamentable  that  so 
many  publications  in  this  country  are  evidently  only  catch  penny 
productions.  Not  even  suggested  by  genius,  but  first  asked  by  the 
promise  of  Cash  for  the  Compila,tion. 

15.  Sunday.  The  work  at  Newbury  Port,  we  heard,  in  some 
degree  relaxes.  Zeal  is  not  so  much  inflamed,  but  unexampled  en- 
thusiasm in  our  times,  still  occupies  this  favorite  spot  of  fanaticism. 
Mr.  Milton  leads,  I^Ir.  Boddily  assists,  Mr.  Dana  consents,  Mr. 
Spring  doubts.  Messieurs  Gary  &  Andrews  of  the  old  Congrega- 
tion, &  Bishop  Bass  have  not  come  in  on  the  work. 

16.  The  Shop  Window  of  the  Widow  Williams  was  opened  last 
Saturday  night  &  shop  goods,   not   of   great   amount   were   taken. 


866  DIARY  OP  [March 

Union  Street.  The  Town  of  Salem  have  actually  purchased  part 
of  the  Locust  Field  for  a  Burying  Ground.*  This  object  is  at 
length  obtained.  The  entrance  is  near  the  Rope  Walk  on  Brown 
Street.  The  front  lot  has  been  purchased  by  Capt.  S.  Webb  of  the 
heirs  of  G.  Williams.  The  Burying  Ground  will  lay  upon  North 
Biver.  The  extent  is  between  one  &  two  acres  including  the  pas- 
sage. The  sum  said  to  be  given  is  2200  Dollars  to  W.  Orne  & 
John  Ropes.  Some  objections  are  made  from  an  intended  new 
road  from  County  street  to  Winter  street,  but  as  the  Rope  walk 
now  crosses  the  ground,  these  objections  will  have  little  present 
force.  At  5  P.  M.  died  in  our  neighbourhood,  Corner  of  Walnut 
street  facing  Essex  street,  Mr.  George  Peale,  set.  73.  He  has  led  a 
single  life,  inoffensive,  economical,  &  unnoticed.  He  was  em- 
ployed several  years  as  a  Master  of  a  Vessel  in  the  Coasting  Trade, 
but  for  20  years  has  kept  a  little  Shop.  Honest,  uniform,  unsocial, 
not  unkind.  A  maiden  sister  has  lived  with  him  the  last  years  of 
life. 

17.  Capt.  J.  Osgood  having  purchased  part  of  Woodbridge's 
estate  in  Ferry  Lane,  formerly  so  called,  the  lots  lying  near 
Horton's  point,  so  called,  on  the  point  below  Skerry's,  fell  to  his 
share.  Westward  of  the  point  the  ground  rose  higher  than  upon 
any  land  below  Windmill  point,  &  having  been  covered  with 
Locusts,  it  had  acquired  a  soil  which  gave  it  the  appearance  of  a 
nole  rising  from  the  natural  soil.  Capt.  Osgood  made  the  purchase 
among  other  purposes  to  remove  this  ground  from  North  River  side 
to  Planter's  marsh  side,  &  in  digging  he  found  the  natural  six  feet 
below  &  that  this  was  only  accumulated  land,  blown  from  Horton's 
point.  On  the  ground  he  found  several  Loads  of  Rocks  bedded  in 
Clay  as  was  usual  in  the  Cottages  made  by  the  first  settlers.  Up- 
on this  hearth  he  found  coals  from  oak  wood,  &  cinders  from  fossil 
coals,  specimens  of  which  I  took  away  &  preserved.  Around  these 
ruins  the  sands  probably  accumulated,  as  the  Clay  &  rocks  were 
bedded  in  the  natural  soil.  The  rocks  must  have  been  brought 
from  Lobster  point  1/4  of  a  mile  or  from  Beverly  side.  They  were 
rude  &  of  irregular  snapes. 

18.  This  day  was  ordained  at  Upper  Beverly,  Mr.  Dow.  Few 
went  from  Salem,  but  there  was  a  considerable  concourse  from  the 
adjacent  towns. 

21.  There  have  been  several  petty  thefts  in  this  Town  &  at 
last  a  Negro  stranger  has  been  apprehended.  Party  took  occasion 
to  represent  in  the  Gazette  that  this  act  was  republican,  &  consist- 
ent with  sense  of  liberty  which  that  interest  indulged.  So  licen- 
tious &  abusive  are  parties. 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  Judith  Archer,  d.  of  her  daughter,  pr. 
for  Brother  at  Sea.  Last  week  died  at  Maiden,  ReV^  Eliakim  Wil- 
lis who  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1735  &  was  aged  87.     He  was 

*Tbe  How»rd  street  oemetery. 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  86T 

ordained  upon  a  division  in  the  lower  parish  of  Maiden,  when  Mr. 
Emerson  was  in  the  other  parish.  His  parish  dwindled  &  was 
very  small,  when  I  was  young.  He  at  last  agreed  to  preach  & 
to  receive  as  salary,  the  manse  &  Glebe  &  finally  the  House  was 
deserted  vt  blew  down.  After  Mr.  Thacher  removed  to  Boston  (& 
he  succeeded  Mr.  Emerson  who  succeeded  Mr.  Wigglesworth, 
author  of  the  Day  of  Doom  &  father  of  the  celebrated  Professor 
Wigglesworth)  Mr.  Willis  was  invited  to  the  Old  Parish  &  Mr. 
Green  the  present  incumbent  was  ordained  colleague  Pastor.  Mr. 
Willis  always  recommended  himself  by  the  virtues  of  life  rather 
than  by  his  talents.  For  several  years  before  death  he  was  past 
all  services  &  died  esteemed.  His  classmate,  Samuel  Curwin,  at 
85  is  now  living  in  Salem  &  his  powers  are  vigorous,  his  body 
feeble,  but  all  still  see  him,  tottering  &  yet  constantly  passing  & 
conversing  in  our  Streets.  Mr.  Andrew  Beattie,  aet.  34  has  also 
died  at  Salisbury.  This  gentleman  was  not  of  our  College,  &  was 
soon  taken  sick  after  his  settlement.  His  predecessour  was  Dr. 
Webster,  who  was  a  man  of  distinguished  powers,  &  of  a  liberal  & 
well  informed  mind.  Mr.  Beattie  was  rather  an  opposition  preach- 
er, than  successor  of  this  worthy  man.  He  is  spoken  of  as  of  a 
good  temper,  but  zealously  orthodox  in  the  new  Divinity.  There 
has  been  an  Ordination  at  Edgecombe  in  Lincoln  C,  Maine,  of 
Revd.  B.  Chapman.  I  am  a  stranger  to  the  man.  Last  week  there 
was  an  Ordination  of  Mr.  Moses  Dow,  at  Upper  Beverly.  None 
of  the  Salem  Clergy  Avere  invited  of  any  denomination.  This  man 
is  also  a  stranger  not  educated  among  us.  He  lately  had  a  call  at 
Wenham  &  did  not  accept.  Mr.  Chipman,  son  of  the  former  min- 
ister &  most  wealthy  inhabitant,  is  opposed  to  him  in  Upper  Bev- 
erly. This  Parish  was  happy  in  their  former  minister  Mr. 
Chipman  &  lived  with  him  in  kindness  all  his  life.  His  successor 
was  the  present,  Dr.  Enos  Hitchcock  of  Providence  ,R.  I.  This  G. 
did  not  make  the  figure  he  has  since,  &  requested  leave  to  go  as  a 
Chaplain  in  the  American  Army,  &  finally  fixed  him  in  Provi- 
dence. Mr.  Parsons  an  ejected  Minister  from  Squam,  Cape  Ann, 
supplied  them  afterwards  for  several  years,  &  then  settled  at  Lynn 
from  whence  he  was  ejected  &  is  now  an  officer  of  the  Peace  in 
Cape  Ann.  Mr.  Daniel  Oliver  was  then  settled  in  Upper  Beverly, 
but  has  lately  been  ejected,  &  Dow  takes  his  place.  A  witty  man 
remarked  that  it  was  not  an  ordination  but  an  alteration.  Last 
Sunday  for  the  first  time  since  I  have  been  in  Salem,  we  had  lay 
exhortations  in  public  worship  on  Sunday.  In  the  Tabernacle,  Mr. 
Spaulding  being  confined  by  the  indisposition  of  his  family,  the 
holy  Brotherhood  took  turns  at  prayers  &  exhortations  for  the  edi- 
fication of  the  Flock.  I  have  not  heard  that  this  ever  took  place 
before  except  in  a  more  qualified  sense  in  our  own  Parish.  In 
1735  during  Mr.  Jennison's  time,  who  was  at  last  dismissed  by 
consent  from  his  known  intemperance,  when  he  was  not  able  to  at- 


368  DIARY  OF  [March 

tend  public  service  he  advisecj  Deacon  Elvins  to  pray  &  read  &  ex- 
hort &  then  dismiss  the  Assembly.  A  wag  once  wrote  on  the 
Church  Door  "  Our  preacher  silly  Billy's  sick,  &  we've  our  preach- 
ing from  our  Baker  Dick."  Mr.  Elvins  was  flattered  by  his  success 
&  instituted  praying  meetings  at  his  house  &  finally  mounted  the 
Pulpit  &  afterwards  left  his  occupation  &  went  &  settled  at  Black 
Point,  now  Scarborough,  Maine,  &  married  the  Widow  of  his 
predecessour  Mr.  Willard,  &  the  mother  of  the  present  President 
of  Harvard  College.  My  predecessour  Mr.  Diman  thought  him  an 
artful  man,  &  that  he  took  advantages  of  Mr.  Jennison.  But  in 
his  society,  he  was  much  respected  till  death,  &  his  plaintive 
strains  vouched  for  great  sincerity  in  his  ministry. 

27.  The  uncommon  rains  have  produced  in  our  interiour  coun- 
try great  evils  to  dams,  &  even  our  towns  near  the  banks  of  rivers 
have  suffered  much.  Some  talk  that  such  freshets  have  not  been 
since  1692,  others  say  for  20  years,  but  probably  not  in  the  memo- 
ry of  the  present  generation. 

29,  Sunday.  Notes.  Joshua  Phippen  &  Children,  d.  of  his 
wife  &  their  Mother,  pr.  for  four  of  the  sons  at  Sea.  Emmons 
Smith  &  Children,  d.  of  his  wife  &  their  Mother,  pr.  for  Sons  at 
Sea.  Hannah  Peele,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 
Mary  Millet,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  brothers  at  Sea.  Mar. 
11,  Micah  Stone  was  ordained  at  Brookfield  as  successor  to  Dr. 
Fiske.  This  young  G.  is  Son  of  Kev"^  M.  Stone  of  the  North  pre- 
cinct of  Reading,  Mass.  A  man  of  reputation  &  a  diligent  farmer. 
The  young  man  was  a  Tutor  at  Cambridge  in  the  University  &  in 
the  petition  for  Salary  was  left  to  resign  his  Office.  He  has 
preached  in  the  vacant  parishes  of  Milton,  of  Boston,  &  Beverly  & 
at  other  places.  At  Beverly  he  had  a  call  but  there  was  not  a 
unanimity.  He  has  since  kept  the  new  Academy  in  the  North 
Parish  of  Andover.     A  very  moderate  man. 

31.  Master  John  Watson  who  has  kept  a  Writing  &  Reading 
School  above  30  years  at  the  head  of  Union  wharf  &  directly  oppo- 
site to  the  house  where  I  have  lived  12  years,  this  day  notified  his 
Scholars  that  he  should  resign  his  School  to  John  F.  Cary  who 
graduated  last  year  at  Dartmouth  College,  &  has  a  good  recom- 
mendation from  President  Wheelock,  as  attentive,  amiable,  exem- 
plary, &  strictly  moral.  The  Pastor  of  the  church  at  Lempster, 
Elias  Fisher,  in  which  the  Father  is  Deacon,  represents  him 
qualified  for  a  grammar  school.  Mr.  Watson  was  a  good  penman, 
of  good  morals,  strict  dicipline,  &  very  successful  in  his  public 
character.  Born  &  bred  on  the  spot  &  among  his  kindred,  he  had 
all  the  support  which  could  be  given  to  him  in  his  office. 

April  2  [1801].  A  pleasant  day,  after  a  very  long  course  of 
easterly  weather.  We  have  continued  accounts  of  the  damage  done 
by  the  Rains,  &  few  houses  in  town  have  their  Cellars  free  from 
water  &  some  are  full.     The  sales  of  Houses  at  a  high  price,  have 


1801]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  369 

induced  many  attempts  to  sell,  but  houses  frequently  for  sale  are 
not  now  so  much  in  demand.  The  inspector  of  Fork  &  Beef,  Joshua 
Phippen,  tells  me  that  the  exportation  is  so  small  from  Marblehead, 
that  no  person  in  that  town  has  applied  for  the  office,  &  that  he 
rides  to  jVIarblehead  on  the  occasion. 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  Nancy  Brown,  loss  of  her  husband  after 
long  absence  &  expectation.  Mary  Welman  &  children,  d.  of  her 
Son  Adam  Welman  &  g,  son  Stephens,  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Mary 
Stevens,  d.  of  her  Son,  &  her  Brother  Welman,  pr.  friends  at  Sea. 
Nancy  Brown  »S:  children,  d.  of  her  Son  in  Law  Welman. 
In  Newburyport  the  awakenings  continue.  I  do  not  know  what 
effect  the  warmth  of  political  election  will  produce,  or  how  religion 
will  influence  the  elections.  It  seems  they  are  opposed  to  their 
present  Senator.  The  curious  quarrel  in  this  town  between  the 
New  light  Ministers  about  the  night  lectures,  as  the  Sunday  evening* 
command  the  crowd,  is  a  farce,  which  displays  ignorance,  &  vanity. 
It  seems  Spaulding  finds  that  Thursday  night  will  not  command 
the  crowd  as  Sunday  night,  &  he  insists  that  Hopkins  ought  to 
exchange.  Let  dogs  delight  to  bark  &  bite,  for  'tis  their  nature  to. 
A  young  Candidate  in  the  old  Church  at  Marblehead,  Son  of  the 
Revd.  Dana  of  Ipswich,  has  been  obliged  to  matrimonial  connections. 
His  confession  was  read  lately  to  the  Church  in  which  he  officiated. 
He  was  orthodox. 

9.  The  day  of  the  Annual  fast.  Connect,  had  their  fast  in  the 
week  before  us,  &  New  Hampshire  will  have  it  after  us.  The 
evening  was  appropriated  to  consider  the  subject  of  Militia,  which 
is  under  every  discouragement  in  this  Town.  A  Standing  Army  is 
more  coincident  with  the  views  of  some  men  whose  political  preju- 
dices have  alienated  them  from  everything  popular.  Few  rich 
men  appeared.  A  Committee  was  chosen,  but  chiefly  of  persons 
absent,  &  of  no  military  character.  Little  was  said,  nothing  done 
with  good  hope  of  success.     The  Republicans  must  undertake. 

11.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  East  Society  for  the 
Charities,  a  Subscription  was  drawn  &  delivered  to  Capt.  Moses 
Townsend  for  a  new  Bell,  as  the  present  is  fractured,  &  has  but  a 
feeble  sound.  The  subject  of  enlarging  the  meeting  House,  was 
imder  consideration.  It  was  proposed  to  defray  the  expence  upon 
the  new  Pews.  The  only  present  obstacle  is  the  inconclusive  manner 
of  the  application. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Hannah  Cloutman  with  her  children, 
d.  of  her  Son  lost  at  Sea,  pr.  for  son  at  Sea.  Mary  Crandall  & 
children,  d.  of  her  husband  lost  at  sea. 

13.  This  day  was  sold  at  public  vendue  the  house  in  Derby 
street,  S.  E.  corner  of  Hardy  lower  Street,  formerly  owned  by  a 
family  of  friends,  the  first  built  in  the  square,  &  since  my  day  suc- 
cessively by  Capt.  Jo.  White,  Mr.  Dunlap,  Capt.  Philips,  &  Capt. 

•i.  e.  iftemoon. 


370  DIARY  OP  [April 

G.  Archer.  Also  the  new  House  below  in  Hardy  Street,  lately 
built  by  A.  Lefavre.  The  House  at  the  corner  formerly  belonged 
to  one  Pope,  &  is  the  oldest  building  in  the  Square.  Col.  Turner's 
House  was  purchased  by  his  Father  from  Norton,  &  the  Western 
part  was  built  in  1674-1676.  The  western  part  of  Pope's  House  is 
still  older.  As  it  is  now  repaired  with  its  out  houses  it  fetched  at 
Vendue,  2510  Dollars,  &  Lefevre's  new  house,  3190  Dollars. 

13.  Mr.  N.  Bowditch  has  prepared  an  edition  of  H.  M.'s  Navi- 
gation, &  has  corrected  many  errours  in  the  tables.  It  is  to  be 
printed  by  Blunt  of  Newburyport.  Blunt  has  also  prepared  an 
edition  of  Walsh's  Mercantile  Arithmetic.  Mr.  Michael  Walsh  is 
of  Newbury  Port,  but  a  native  of  Ireland  &  a  Schoolmaster  in  that 
Town. 

14.  This  day  a  vessel  was  launched  at  Becket's  yard,  &  a  fort- 
night ago  one  at  Brigg's.  Another  is  up  at  Becket's  &  another  at 
Brigg's. 

18.  On  Thursday  a  man  named  Foster  was  accidentally  shot  on 
a  gunning  party  at  the  Fort  on  Woodberry's  Head,  Beverly.  The 
interiour  of  our  County  has  its  supply  of  population  in  the  present 
state  of  our  County.  The  young  families  retire  to  new  land,  & 
leave  the  population  nearly  as  at 'the  last  Census.  Mr.  Homer  ob- 
serves the  same  of  Newton  near  Boston,  which  is  a  most  healthy 
settlement.  Topsfield  is  about  8  above  its  Census  in  1790  &  the 
Town  of  Middleton  below. 

21.  In  Salem  are  found  53  males  from  Seventy  years  upwards. 
39  persons  of  90  years  carried  to  the  number  below.  Exclusive  of 
North  &  Southfields  nearly  1/2  population  east  of  the  Town  House. 

23.  Had  a  visit  this  morning  from  an  Indian  Chief  educated  at 
Dartmouth  College,  belonging  to  the  Stockbridge  or  Six  Nations. 
He  told  me  that  they  were  determined  to  sell  their  reservation  Lands 
&  go  to  a  territory  south  of  Erie,  24  miles  square  not  far  from  the 
Miami.  He  said  he  had  a  son  at  Andover.  He  is  called  in  the 
Gazette  of  the  Day,  John  Rohpnehhonwoh,  Wenh-a-pot.  We  are 
told  that  1500  D.  have  been  subscribed  for  the  Militia  in  this  Town 
in  order  to  uniform  apprentices  &  other  persons  requiring  aid. 
Some  Captains  &  Subalterns  are  chosen,  but  the  work  does  not  pro- 
ceed as  with  the  genius  of  a  Fiske,  &  with  his  enthusiasm. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Pierce  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother,  pr. 
for  a  Brother  at  Sea.  Sally  Welman,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  at 
Sea.  The  Cong,  of  the  first  Church  in  Marblehead  are  much  divided 
upon  the  subject  of  an  invitation  to  Mr.  Dana  from  his  late  lapse 
which  obliges  an  early  marriage. 

29.  News  that  the  Ship  Borneo,  built  for  Gibaut,  on  her  second 
voyage  from  Boston,  was  seen  a  wreck  at  sea,  deserted,  on  12 
instant.  She  had  a  Cargo  of  Flour  &  a  large  sum  in  spice.  The 
loss  of  the  Underwriters  in  this  Town  will  exceed  30,000  dollars. 

May  1  [1801].     A  Fishing  Schooner  launched  at  Mann's,  Trask's 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  371 

Mills,  for  Beverly  Fishery.  The  great  Storm  destroyed  the  Boat  at 
Baker's  Island.  She  broke  from  her  moorings  &  beat  to  pieces  upon 
the  rocks  of  the  Island. 

3.  Sunday.  Note.  Lydia  Valpy  for  her  sick.  From  Peters- 
burg, V.  we  have  the  history  of  another  instance  of  fatal  debauchery 
in  the  family  of  a  IVIinister,  from  the  education  of  daughters  beyond 
condition,  to  confirm  the  examples  so  often  lamented  in  England. 
The  example  of  Miss  Whitman*  interreil  at  Danvers  is  not  forgot- 
ten. The  beautiful  Mrs.  Hastins  alias  Armstrong,  lately  deceased 
at  Petersburg,  was  the  daughter  of  the  Rev*^  Munroe  of  England. 
Wrote  to  Ebeling  the  history  of  our  Psalmody.  From  the  single 
part  in  our  old  Bibles,  and  the  Tunes  to  every  Psalm  in  Sternhold 
&  Hopkins  till  the  New  England  version,  then  mentioning  Increase 
Mather's  measured  prose,  Prince's  poetic  version  &  Barnard's  of 
]\Iarblehead.  The  introduction  of  Tate  &  Brady  by  Dr.  Colman  & 
of  Watts  by  Mather  Byles.  The  Collection  for  West  Boston 
Churches  b}^  Dr.  Howard,  my  own  Collection  in  Salem,  Dr.  Belnap's 
Collection  in  Boston,  introduced  into  several  Churches.  Kelly's 
Hymns  among  the  Universalists  &  the  Scotch  Version  among  the 
Sandemanians.  I  then  noticed  the  progress  of  music  from  the 
single  part  to  Tenor,  bass  &  medius.  The  work  of  Tansur  &  the 
improvement  by  Williams.  The  singing  of  appropriate  tunes  to 
Psalms  interrupted  by  the  new  Version.  The  Selection  of  Tunes. 
The  change  by  Billings,  his  Reuben  &  other  books.  The  works  of 
Holyoke,  Kimball,  &  Holden,  &  the  numberless  publications  which 
have  appeared  in  New  England,  which  I  did  not  presume  to  enu- 
merate. I  mentioned  the  compilation  of  Holyoke  &  Holden  for 
Instrumental  music,  &  the  expected  publication  of  political  songs. 
This  is  the  outline  of  a  long  history  which  I  wrote  to  him. 

5.  A  day  of  military  parade.  The  officers  of  the  Regimental 
Companies  have  received  their  Commissions,  but  it  was  judged  best 
not  to  review  the  Regiment  at  this  time.  The  Cadets  appeared  in 
all  the  neatness  of  their  uniform,  &  the  Artillery  was  composed  of 
some  of  our  hardy  sons.  These  exhibitions  provide  a  day  of  merri- 
ment for  citizens  of  every  class.  Fish  abundant  in  the  market. 
Lobsters  for  sale.  Cod  taken  freely  at  Essex  Bridge.  A  great 
number  of  the  Rays,  called  Scates,  which  are  not  eaten. 

7.  Messieurs  Brown  &  Pierce  building  their  Tombs  on  the  point. 
They  had  many  dead  to  remove,  for  the  ground,  tho'  in  the  stranger's 
part.  The  new  ground  below  Brown  street,  on  North  River,  prepared. 

8.  The  capture  of  Capt.  S.  Forrester's  vessel  has  occasioned  no 
small  irritation  in  the  mind  of  this  warm  Federalist  against  the 
English.  This  evening  a  man,  by  name  Moses  Stickney,t  was 
drowned  at  Hospital  point,  attempting  to  pass  from  the  shore  to  the 
Sloop  to  which  he  belonged,  laying  near  the  rocks  in  some  danger. 

•Eliz»  Wharton. 
tOf  Brentwood,  N.  H. 


372  DIARY  OP  [May 

9.  Mr.  Archer  moved  his  house  to  widen  Walnut  street  which 
opposite  to  his  house  was  only  13  feet  in  width.  Much  has  been 
done  to  widen  streets  within  a  few  years,  with  great  public  advan- 
tage. 

10.  Sunday.  The  drowned  man  was  buried  this  evening,  &  a 
great  Concourse  at  the  funeral.  Bradford  who  was  minister  in 
Rowley,  Essex,  was  lately  dug  up  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  mon- 
ument. A  new  kind  of  zeal  was  displayed.  The  Bell  was  tolled  & 
the  assembly  were  invited  of  all  ages  to  come  &  see  the  corps 
which  was  exposed  to  public  view,  in  a  high  state  of  putrefaction. 
This  is  a  new  kind  of  curiosity,  &  a  new  way  of  exciting  it.  They 
never  expect  to  find  his  equal.  He  was  a  great  enthusiast.  New- 
bury Port  still  continues  its  zeal.  A  friend  who  lately  visited  that 
place  said  that  Lectures  were  every  day  &  evening,  &  often  held  till 
midnight.  After  the  Sermon  the  preacher  said,  converts  pray. 
Several  begun  &  yielded  at  length  to  the  most  impetuous.  There 
has  been  proposed  a  morning  school  in  Boston  by  Aiken.  This  is 
a  novelty  in  this  state.  Our  morning  exercises  in  Salem  have 
been  at  praying  meetings  on  Sunday.  At  Marblehead,  Mr.  Dana  is 
desired  as  their  Minister  by  part  of  the  old  Church.  His  late  im- 
prudence has  divided  them  upon  the  subject.  The  Several  Socie- 
ties in  Salem  have  been  induced  to  encourage  Music  from  the  in- 
troduction of  an  Organ  into  the  Old  Church.  Macintire  teaches 
for  the  North  Church,  Town  for  the  Independants,  &  Day  for  the 
Tabernacle.  Mr.  Hurd  officiates  for  the  East  Society.  Much  ig 
said  of  Mr.  Holyoke's  success  at  Newbury  Port. 

14.  In  Boston  the  Eepublican  Ticket  for  Eepresentatives 
obtained  by  200  majority.  Upon  this  Ticket  were  Messieurs 
Tilden,  Jarvis,  Austin,  Fellows,  Prince,  Blake,  Sturgis.  In 
Salem  the  Federal  Ticket  was  managed  artfully  enough.  The 
Militia  has  laboured  hard  &  after  the  death  of  General  Fiske  sunk 
from  the  public  regard.  The  Federalists  who  discouraged  it,  now 
became  its  friends,  &  proposed  their  friends  as  Officers.  The 
Republicans  from  the  want  of  leading  men  yielded.  Their  Field 
Officers  were  the  Representatives.  To  accept  one  service  &  oppose 
another  was  inconsistent.  The  Rep.  disappeared  at  the  choice  of 
Representatives,  &  between  1  &  2  hundred  men  did  all  the  busi- 
ness. 

15.  This  is  the  first  spring  like  day  for  some  time  &  no  person 
living  remembers  that  the  wind  held  to  the  eastward  so  long  as 
from  the  first  March  to  the  middle  of  May,  with  only  a  few  hours 
of  wind  on  the  western  side  of  the  Compass.  The  more  early  the 
easterly  winds  set  in,  the  longer  they  usually  continue.  Capt. 
Mugf ord  sailed  in  the  ship  13  lysses  for  Hamberg  by  whom  I  sent 
several  packages. 

16.  Henry  Kane,  who  came  to  offer  himself  as  an  Irish  gram- 
mar school  master,  fetched  up,  as  the  sailors  say,  in  three  days  in 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  373 

the  workhouse.  He  has  been  ordered  out  of  Town.  He  was 
very  intemperate,  &  yet  obtained  a  Certificate  from  Revd.  Abbot  of 
Haverhill. 

17.  Sunday.  Notes.  Benjamin  Stickney,  pr.  on  sudden  death 
of  his  Brother  drowned.  John  Perkins  &  Family,  d.  of  Moses 
Stickney  who  lived  in  their  family  &  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Buried 
this  evening  with  a  long  procession,  George  Braxton  Esq''  aet.  38, 
from  Virginia.  He  had  been  a  few  days  in  Town  &  came  for  his 
health  but  he  had  renounced  almost  all  hopes  of  life,  before  he  left 
home.  Mr.  Teague  delivered  me  on  Saturday  a  steel  seal  such  as 
commonly  suspended  at  a  watch  chain,  which  he  said,  he  found  on 
Hospital  Point,  or  the  point  opposite  to  Beverly,  much  used  in 
former  times.  It  was  an  oval  flat  having  another  with  a  support 
&  a  harp  formed  head,  something  like  a  shield,  was  marked  with 
foliage  more  fully  on  the  right  than  left  side  of  the  impression  & 
the  letters  were  E.  A.  D.  Could  this  be  Emanuel  Downing  Amer- 
ica?* 

20.  Mr.  Nath.  West  at  the  request  of  his  wife  had  a  ball  this 
evening  for  the  young  people  of  the  most  early  age  that  attend 
the  dancing  master.  There  was  a  great  number  of  youth  &  specta- 
tors, &  a  great  display  of  plate,  &c. 

21.  Several  Fishing  vessels  have  arrived  at  Beverly  &  Marble- 
head  with  profitable  fares.  It  is  not  time  for  Salem  to  go  fairly 
into  the  Fishery  yet.     Its  merchant  voyages  are  too  profitable. 

23.  Blowing  of  rocks  upon  Winter  Island,  at  the  bottom  of  Fish 
street,  so  that  posterity  will  have  no  judgment  of  the  form  of  the 
Shore  upon  which  the  first  business  was  done  by  the  primitive  set- 
tlers. These  rocks  are  for  the  new  road  which  is  to  pass  over  the 
inlet  between  Fiske  &  Woodbridge's  from  Neptune  street  to  Water 
street.  They  have  blowed  also  the  rocks  lying  below  the  New  Fort 
on  the  opposite  side  of  Cat  Cove,  or  Winter  Island  harbour. 

24.  Sunday.  A  painful  accident  happened.  As  Mr.  Jesse 
Kenny  was  passing  in  East  street  upon  a  Carriage,  being  apprehen- 
sive of  its  overturning,  he  leaped  from  it,  &  broke  his  leg  at  the 
ancle  in  such  a  manner  as  to  require  an  immediate  amputation.  He 
has  a  wife  &  3  children  &  married  a  Mascoll.  Mr.  Pierce  called 
upon  me  to  draw  up  a  subscription  for  the  relief  of  Jesse  Kenny. 

25.  The  subscription  for  ^Ir.  Kenny  succeeds  well  &  will  collect 
him  several  hundred  dollars. 

26.  Went  for  Boston  in  Manning's  new  Stage  for  the  first  time. 
This  day  was  the  Episcopal  Convention.  Bishop  Bass  appeared 
with  Rev^  Mr.  Harris  of  Marblehead  &  Dr.  Parker  &  Mr.  Gardner 
of  Trinity  Church,  Boston.  This  is  the  whole  Convention.  Fisher 
of  Salem  has  refused,  by  a  letter  of  reply  to  their  invitation,  all 
connection,  and  Wheeler  of  Scituate  has  not  been  more  complying. 
Montague  of  Dedham  prefers  his  farm  to  any  Episcopal  acknowledg- 

•Or  "  Armiger?  " 


374  DIARY  OF  [May 

ments  or  dues.  Dr.  Parker  preached  on  the  occasion  to  a  very  thin 
Assembly.  The  Bishop  assured  me  of  the  singular  message  of 
Fisher.  In  the  afternoon  the  New  Missionary  Society  of  the  Hop- 
kinsian  sect  had  their  annual  Sermon  at  the  Old  South.  The  Ser- 
mon was  from  the  noted  Niles  of  Abington.  •'  The  leaves  of  the 
trees  are  for  the  healing  of  the  nation."  His  doctrine  of  means 
was  not  the  most  encouraging  to  be  imagined.  The  assembly  was 
chiefly  of  the  Clergy,  &  the  greater  part  drawn  together  by  curios- 
ity. 

27.  The  Anniversary  of  the  General  Election,  There  was  not 
an  unusual  concourse.  The  Governour  was  chosen  by  a  majority  of 
4000.  Mr.  Bancroft  of  Worcester  preached,  but  his  voice  was  too 
low,  80  that  I  heard  but  little  of  his  discourse.  I  heard  enough  to 
convince  me  that  we  do  every  thing  by  halves.  This  man  once 
strenuous  as  a  heretic  for  liberty,  is  now  as  licentious  in  his  invec- 
tives against  false  philosophy  as  the  greatest  bigots  of  the  age,  & 
the  liberal  Clergy  are  often  betrayed  into  this  inconsistency.  In 
the  evening  I  heard  part  of  a  Sermon  from  Murray  the  Universalist. 
It  was  upon  the  divinity  of  Christ,  but  appeared  a  stranger  to  the 
whole  controversy.  His  audience  was  not  large,  nor  were  many 
strangers  present.  The  Singing  was  excellent,  &  the  Organ  did  not 
overpower  but  aid  it. 

28.  The  Convention  of  the  Congregational  Churches.  Mr.  Dana 
of  Ipswich  preached.  He  is  a  moderate  Calvinist.  His  temper  is 
amiable,  his  style  purer  than  common  of  his  age.  His  thoughts 
not  original  in  matter  or  form  on  the  occasion.  His  appeal  for  the 
Charity  short  &  happy.  For  the  first  time  that  ever  I  saw  it, 
printed  proposals  were  left  in  the  pews  before  the  sermon  was 
delivered.  In  the  present  manners  of  our  Country,  this  was  felt  as 
a  great  indelicacy.  They  tell  such  things  of  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  as 
of  delivering  Sermons  for  the  press  before  the  delivery,  but  this  is 
the  first  of  a  Subscription  prepared  for  the  purpose  by  a  Printer. 

29.  This  morning  the  Bells  of  Christ  Church  rang  upon  the  ar- 
rival of  a  Mr.  Haskell  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  that  Church.  At  the 
furnace  I  engaged  a  bell,  whose  wt.  was  892  lb.  without  a  stock  or 
tongue,  for  our  Society.  Mr.  Revere  has  a  furnace  at  North  end. 
Visited  every  part  of  the  Town.  Was  pleased  with  the  walk  pro- 
vided with  Lombardy  poplars  &  laid  out  last  year  on  Fort  Hill.  It 
is  circular,  but  it  will  be  very  pleasant.  The  increase  of  Buildings 
in  West  Boston  is  great.  The  new  Burying  ground  below  the  Com- 
mon has  already  three  sides  filled  with  Tombs  lately  built.  The 
new  Charity  House  is  in  excellent  order.  The  out  houses  are  con 
veniently  disposed  on  the  water  side  of  the  Buildings  &  a  large 
wharf  is  now  building.  I  visited  the  principal  public  buildings. 
They  talk  of  filling  up  the  mill  pond.  Some  purchases  have  been 
made  for  that  visef ul  purpose.  It  contains  about  45  acres  of  ground 
which  may  be  happily  disposed.     The  water  in  full  pond  is  about 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  875 

6  feet,  in  the  channel  10  feet  deep.  This  afternoon  we  were  enter- 
tained in  the  Chapel  with  a  variety  of  Instrumental  &  vocal  music 
■&  Mrs.  Jones  of  the  Theatre  performed  the  Ode  after  Service.  The 
Charitable  Fire  Society  had  their  annual  meeting.  Mr.  Emerson's 
eloquence  gave  a  power  to  the  devotional  exercises  &  Mr.  Kirk- 
land's  genius  lent  a  generous  aid  to  the  purposes  of  Charity.  The 
Lessons  were  short  &  from  the  Scriptures.  Even  those  enlight- 
ened Clergymen  are  brought  to  inveigh  against  the  false  philosophy 
&  many  other  things  under  equivocal  titles.  So  surely  is  the 
progress  of  enquiry  retarded  &  so  truely  is  genius  enlisted  in  the 
service  of  the  partial  views  of  politics. 

30.  Returned  in  the  morning  stage  from  Boston.  The  Turnpike 
is  all  the  subject.  Three  directions  have  been  thought  of.  From 
Noddle's  Island  to  Boston,  but  this  would  shut  up  Charleston.  The 
Road  through  Chelsea  by  Powder  Horn  hill  to  Charleston  point,  and 
the  Road  to  the  New  Road  leading  to  Maiden  Bridge.  The  second 
road  has  been  approved  by  Lynn,  but  it  is  opposed  by  Maiden,  the 
proprietors  of  Maiden  Bridge,  &  part  of  Charleston,  &  probably  by 
Mystic,  as  it  puts  a  new  obstruction  on  the  River.  The  Town  of 
Salem  are  to  consider  of  the  subject  next  Monday.  A  great  sum 
will  be  required  but  we  are  told  no  money  will  be  wanting.  Ballard, 
at  Newhall's  Tavern,  at  which  a  new  house  is  built  &  not  yet  occu- 
pied, is  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  Road. 

31.  Sunday.  Sylvester  Dana  was  ordained  at  Orford,  N.  H.,  on 
Connecticut  river  on  the  20th  of  this  month.  A  Scotchman  officia- 
ted sometime  after  the  dismission  of  the  first  pastor,  John  Sawyer, 
who  was  settled  1787,  &  removed  in  1796.  Mr.  Sawyer  is  now 
at  Booth  Bay  in  Maine,  their  Minister.  The  Scotchman  also  went 
to  Maine,  &  has  since  gone  to  Nova  Scotia.  His  discipline  was 
severe,  &  his  character  not  the  most  sure  recommendation.  Our 
Church  have  given  their  flaggons,  given  to  them  by  Col.  Turner, 
through  Capt.  J.  Pratt  to  this  Church. 

June  2  [1801].  Yesterday  a  Town  Meeting  was  called  about  the 
Turnpike  road  to  Boston.  So  few  persons  were  interested,  that  few 
attended  the  meeting.  The  adjournment  till  6  in  the  evening  took 
place,  &  the  unusual  hour  for  such  a  meeting  by  the  ringing  of  the 
bells  spread  an  alarm  of  fire.  Enough  were  assembled  for  the  pur- 
pose, above  an  hundred. 

4.  Our  Candidate,  Mr.  Jacob  Crowniushield,  has  been  tried  on  all 
quarters.  We  could  not  get  him  into  Congress,  The  House  did 
not  chuse  him  into  the  Senate  &  our  own  folly  prevented  his  choice 
into  the  house  of  Representatives.  The  greatest  obstacle  to  his 
promotion  on  the  civil  list  is  the  character  of  the  Father,  which  is 
the  most  imprudent  to  be  imagined.  The  children  are  very  deserv- 
ing &  would  be  much  more  so,  did  they  act  independently  of  his 
caprice  &  example.  The  objection  among  politicians  is  that  Jacob 
C.  was  the  cause  of  all  the  falling  off  in  Essex,   which  the  Essex 


376  DIARY  OP  [June 

Junto  found  contrary  to  all  their  expectations.  Kitteredge  obtained 
for  the  Senate. 

5.  Capt.  Bullock  who  arrived  a  fortnight  since  &  made  a  very 
successful  voyage  to  Samarang  in  Java,  was  the  first  American  ad- 
mitted to  trade  at  that  place.  This  day  Jacob  Crowninshield  suc- 
ceeded &  gained  a  majority  for  an  election  into  the  Senate.  The 
opposition  from  the  Salem  members  was  in  vain.  This  evening  one 
of  the  Newbury  Port  Carpenters  exhibited  in  the  Tabernacle,  to  give 
us  a  specimen  of  the  wonderful  work  in  that  place. 

7.  Sunday.  Notes.  Michael  Bateman  &  wife,  her  delivery,  d. 
of  the  Child.  Mary  Batten,  d.  of  g.  child  Bateman.  Some  little 
disquiets  again  at  the  Tabernacle.  That  Society  inherits  confusion, 
&  was  born  in  a  quarrel. 

9.  A  Mr.  Ramsdall  has  been  invited  to  preach  &  to  settle  at 
Manchester,  upon  an  offer  of  one  hundred  pounds,  besides  3  hun- 
dred settlement,  &  the  glebe  lot,  &  wood.  He  was  advised  to  accept. 
There  has  also  an  invitation  been  given  by  the  first  Church  in  Mar- 
blehead  to  Mr.  D.  Dana,  which  he  probably  will  accept.  The  Bell 
for  our  Steeple  has  reached  Salem,  &  is  prepared  for  its  place.  Mr. 
Dow  of  Salisbury  did  the  wood  work,  &  Mr.  Barker  the  iron  work. 
The  bell  weighs  892  lb.  &  the  tongue  27  lb. 

11.  We  raised  the  New  Bell  into  the  Eastern  Steeple.  Capt.  G. 
Crowninshield  jun""  superintended,  &  every  thing  was  done  with 
great  ease,  &  success.  The  bell  was  fixed  with  a  counter  balance, 
so  that  it  might  ring  easily,  &  no  accident  happened. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Webb,  delivery,  husb.  &  Brethren 
at  Sea.  Sarah  Creely,  delivery,  husb.  at  Sea.  James  Archer  & 
wife,  her  delivery.  Brother  at  Sea.  Sarah  Dean,  very  sick  &  weak. 
Mary  Chipman,  weak  &  low. 

15.  Capt.  G.  Crowninshield  jun""  carried  me  in  his  remarkably 
fast  sailing  Boat  from  Salem  into  Beverly  Harbour.  We  made  the 
whole  course  in  15  minutes  &  returned  in  34,  wind  fresh  at  S.  W. 
We  made  no  tack  in  going,  &  one  in  Salem  Harbour  upon  our 
return.     I  never  did  sail  so  much  at  my  ease  in  any  other  boat. 

16.  The  thunder  &  lightning  with  the  rain  was  severe.  The. 
lightning  struck  Major  Pickman's  store  on  the  Derby  Wharf.  A 
Clerk,  Mr.  Osgood,  a  young  man,  was  in  the  eastern  room  adjoining 
to  the  Counting  House,  or  room.  He  found  himself  stunned  for  an 
instant,  but  suffered  no  eventual  inconvenience. 

17.  We  had  our  first  military  muster  under  the  new  establish- 
ment of  the  militia  in  this  Town  under  Col.  E.  H.  Derby.  It  was 
only  in  Companies.  It  was  by  no  means  an  unpromising  specimen 
of  good  behavior. 

18.  Saw  for  the  first  time  the  new  Southfield  road*  undertaken 
by  Mr.  H.  Derby.  So  far  as  it  has  proceeded,  it  promises  much,  & 
the  Town  will  be  much  indebted  to  the  ambition  of  Mr.  Derby  who 

*The  present  Lafayette  Street. 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  377 

has  surmounted  every  prejudice  to  his  undertaking.  The  former 
road  was  not  only  winding,  but  very  narrow,  &  very  liable  in  winter 
to  be  shut  up  with  snow.  As  I  have  been  cast  away  in  the  drifts, 
I  may  judge  from  experience. 

20.  The  volume  of  Hist.  Collections  for  1800  contests  my 
character  of  Williams.  This  is  under  the  eye  of  Morse.  The  pub- 
lication expresses  that  personalities  are  withheld,  tho'  the  paper  is 
anonymous.  It  betrays  an  ignorance  of  the  subject  by  confounding 
the  testimonies  &  misjudging  the  authorities,  &  is  rather  for  party 
than  victory.  Would  it  not  have  appeared  as  well,  if  the  Scribblers 
had  suffered  me  to  finish  my  work  before  they  asked  for  my 
authorities? 

21,  Sunday.  Notes.  Sarah  Kehou,  delivery,  husb.  &  friends 
at  Sea.  Some  dispute  in  the  Tabernacle  upon  the  form  of  Church 
discipline.  The  Chiu-ch  Bell  for  the  East  Meeting  House  has  been 
charged  at  920  lb.  at  2/8  pr.  lb.  at  408  Dollars.  The  Old  Bell 
without  the  tongue  was  583  lb.  received  at  116.60  cents,  &  the 
balance  to  be  paid  was  292.28  cents. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes  from  the  d.  of  Mrs.  Eunice,  wife  of  Thorn- 
dike  Deland,  who  was  of  the  family  of  Becket.  John  Becket  & 
wife,  death  of  Sister,  pr.  for  Son  at  Sea.  Robert  Peele  &  wife,  d. 
of  her  Sister  Deland,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Sarah  Silsbee,  d. 
of  her  Sister  Deland,  pr.  for  Sons  at  Sea.  Wid.  Hannah  Cloutman, 
d.  of  her  S.  Deland,  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea,  Wid.  Rebecca  Fairfield, 
d.  of  her  S.  Deland,  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Benja.  Bray  &  wife,  d. 
of  his  mother  Deland  &  of  her  Brother  Elison,  &  pr.  for  Brethren 
at  Sea.  Mrs.  Deland's  first  husband  was  a  Bray.  Martha  Fair- 
field, d.  of  her  Brother  &  Sister,  pr,  for  Husband  at  Sea,  Mary 
Chipman,  pr,  for  her  sick  &  weak.  At  Newbury  died  Rev"^  Abra- 
ham Moore,  lately  settled  in  the  old  parish  as  successor  to  Rev*^  Dr. 
Tucker. 

29.  Good  Mrs.  Chipman*  died  at  Vincent's.  She  had  married 
into  the  Nowall  family  of  Boston,  which  descended  from  Old 
Councellour  Nowall,  &  are  well  known  at  the  North  End.  An  un- 
common number  of  deaths  &  fires  by  lightning. 

July  1  [1801].  Preparations  are  making  everywhere  for  the 
celebration  of  the  4  July,  the  birthday  of  our  Nation.  In  Salem 
we  shall  have  some  partial  exhibitions,  without  much  parade. 

4.  I  attended  &  assisted  at  the  Celebration  at  Marblehead. 
Mr.  Joseph  Story  did  himself  honour  in  the  oration.  The  Dinner 
was  served  in  the  Masonic  Hall  near  the  Town  house  with  great 
good  order,  &  the  Toasts  were  spirited.  The  discharge  of  Cannon 
continued  through  the  day.  In  Salem,  Capt.  Israel  Williams'  Com- 
pany of  Militia  made  its  appearance  &  did  great  honour  to  them- 
selves &  their  Commander.  There  was  no  other  Company  of  Militia 
out  this  day.     The  Cadets  &  Artillery  as  usual. 

*MrB.  Mary  (Carr  Nowell),  widow  of  Henry  Chipman,  aged  84  years. 


378  DIARY  OP  [July 

o.  Sunday.  Joseph  Vincent  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Mother  Chipman. 
Barnabas  Herrick  &  wife,  d.  of  his  eldest  son  Jonathan.  They 
have  given  a  Call  to  Mr.  Dana  at  the  first  Church  in  Marblehead. 
He  is  recommended  by  the  Ipswich  Association  &  is  of  the  sect  of 
the  Hopkinsians.  They  have  not  consulted  the  Salem  Association, 
or  called  a  fast.  Last  Sunday  was  the  first  time  that  ever  the  Old 
Meeting  House  was  opened  for  a  Lecture  after  the  evening  service. 
The  Glory  of  this  Church  has  departed.  We  blame  Marblehead, 
not  for  deviating  from  the  antient  order,  but  for  the  neglect  to 
pursue  &  form  any  plan  at  all,  so  as  to  know  their  own  minds  & 
prepare  for  any  difficulties  which  may  arise.  The  difficulties  at  the 
Tabernacle  on  the  subject  of  Church  government  are  not  over,  but 
the  controversy  is  managed  with  great  concealment,  so  that  a 
disquiet,  but  no  particular  circumstances  appear.  At  the  Cele- 
bration in  Marblehead  the  public  services  were  introduced  by  a 
New  England  Tune  &  Verses  accomodated  to  it  by  Mr.  Billings, 
who  was  the  first  man  to  introduce  original  composition  in  Church 
Music,  &  who  composed  several  volumes,  being  self  taught.  This 
man  composed  several  pieces  at  the  Commencement  of  the  War  & 
among  other  compositions  was  Chester,  which  still  continues  in 
common  use.  This  was  sung  at  Marblehead  as  appropriate,  &  in 
Billings'  own  verses. 

Let  tyrants  shake  their  iron  rods, 

&  Slavery  clank  her  galling  chains, 
We  see  them  not,  we  trust  in  God, 
New  England's  God  forever  reigns. 

This  was  as  appropriate  as  the  Marseilles  Hymn  or  the  French 
Ca'ira. 

6.  Yesterday  died,  aged  78,  Capt.  Thomas  Mason.  He  was 
formerly  an  active  Master  of  a  Vessel,  engaged  in  the  most  profita- 
ble part  of  the  trade  of  this  Country,  by  which  he  amassed  a  great 
estate,  which  he  has  chiefly  spent  in  acts  of  kindness  to  his  depend- 
ant relatives,  &  to  the  needy  in  general.  His  children  died  young, 
&  he  has  not  shut  his  hand  against  any  man.  For  many  years  he 
has  been  paralytic,  &  for  several  years  incapable  of  any  serious 
concerns,  but  his  character  is  esteemed  deservedly. 

9.  The  levelling  of  the  Common  &  the  Planting  of  Trees  has 
been  proposed  in  the  Register  of  this  day.  This  has  been  intended 
for  some  time,  but  has  always  failed,  &  just  at  this  time  we  can 
have  not  very  great  expectations.  Capt.  Boardman  had  he  lived 
would  have  performed.  Gen.  Fiske  had  intended  it.  There  is  no 
influential  person  on  the  Common  &  great  hopes  cannot  arise  with- 
out some  personal  interest  in  common  miuds.  The  South  field 
Eoad  will  be  an  honour  to  Mr.  Derby.  The  new  Road  tho' 
short,  lately  opened  from  Bridge  Street  to  Horton's  point,  called 
March  street,  is  60  feet  wide  with  trees  on  the  sides. 

10.  We  opened  our  Singing  School  this  evening  at  Mrs.  Hut- 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  879 

cheson.  Our  hungry  master,  who  has  returned  from  Lynn,  does  us 
no  small  disservice  by  his  wants,  as  he  is  determined  to  lead  again, 
or  injure  us.  The  singing  just  now  has  considerable  reputation  in 
this  Town. 

11.  A  Turtle  Feast  of  the  Marine  Society  at  Osgood's  in  South 
Fields.  The  Turtle  was  given  by  a  Gentleman  in  Havana.  The 
Clergy  were  invited.  Our  chief  Cook  was  Prince  Hall,  an  African, 
■&  a  person  of  great  influence  upon  his  Colour  in  Boston,  being 
Miister  of  the  African  Lodge,  &  a  person  to  whom  they  refer  -with 
confidence  their  principal  affairs.  The  Clergy  were  introduced  to 
him,  &  the  principal  gentlemen  took  notice  of  him.  Brother  Free- 
man of  Boston  pronounced  him  a  very  useful  man,  &  that  the 
Masonic  Negroes  are  evidently  many  grades  above  the  common 
blacks  of  Boston.  Prince  Hall  assures  me  that  he  has  lately 
published  another  Charge,  which  he  is  to  send  to  me.  His  first 
Charge  tho'  not  correct,  was  useful. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Esther  Waters,  d.  of  her  Brother  at  Sea, 
John  Waters,  set.  26,  soon  after  being  cast  away  near  Bombay,  pr. 
for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Valpy,  d.  of  her  Mother,  for  her 
■&  the  g.  children.  Preached  in  Keading  &  saw  for  the  first  time 
the  New  Baptist  Meeting  house  erected  1/4  of  a  mile  easterly  from 
the  Old  Meeting.  They  have  occasional  worship,  &  the  Congre- 
gation is  made  up  from  the  neighbouring  societies  &  Towns.  This 
work  has  long  been  intended.  They  had  no  worship  this  Sunday. 
It  is  said  zeal  drove  them  out  from  great  distance  in  the  worst 
weather,  but  it  abates.  The  increase  of  such  societies  are  a  present 
evil,  but  may  be  a  future  political  good. 

14.  Remarking  upon  the  frequent  damage  by  lightning  it  has 
been  affirmed  that  excepting  the  case  of  Caleb  Pickman  above  60 
years  ago,  &  the  two  men  killed  in  the  Ship  Martha,  year  before 
last,  there  are  no  persons  who  remember  to  have  heard  of  any  death 
by  lightning  in  Salem. 

19.  Sunday.  Mr.  Rea,  the  celebrated  Vocal  performer,  who  was 
in  the  singing  seats  of  the  Brattle  street  Church  under  Dr.  Cooper, 
was  with  us  this  day,  with  great  effect.  He  had  had  the  greatest 
compass  of  voice  ever  known.  Gen.  Washington  declared  his 
astonishment,  when  publicky  received  in  Boston  &  said  he  fixed  his 
eyes  &  did  not  see  any  other  object  during  his  whole  perforniance. 
He  collected  a  full  choir,  &  a  full  church  of  consequence.  Mr.  Rea 
is  now  60  years  of  age.  In  Boston  they  have  lately  been  engaged 
by  a  pupil  of  Dr.  Smith,  President  of  Trenton  College,  named 
Kollock,  son  of  a  Printer  in  Elizabeth  Town.  He  is  Calvinistic,  a 
good  speaker,  imitates  Smith,  has  his  model  on  the  French  preachers 
&  uses  many  apostrophies.  Very  popular.  Mr.  Forbes  of  Cape 
Ann,  who  has  lately  published  a  volume  of  Sermons,  preached  last 
Sunday  for  Baldwin  the  Baptist  minister  in  Boston,  &  Baldwin 
preached  at  Lynn.     We  are  more  indulgent  than  other  Sects,  for 


3S0  DiABY  OF  [July 

Harris  in  Episcopal  orders  told  me,  that  having  written  three  letters 
to  Fisher  at  Salem,  he  refused  to  answer  them  &  sent  a  verbal 
message  by  Joseph  Bowditch  that  he  would  not  exchange  with  him 
unless  he  would  give  him  assurances  that  he  would  admit  no  dissent- 
er from  the  English  Church  into  his  pulpit.  As  his  Father  &  Brethren 
in  Law  are  distinguished  Congregational  ministers  he  could  make 
no  such  agreement.  Parker  at  Trinity  Church  in  Boston,  allows 
they  might  admit  Dissenters,  but  not  preach  in  their  Churches  whick 
he  did  in  preaching  the  Election  sermon. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  Widow  Rebecca  Patterson,  dang,  sick^ 
pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Sarah  Delano,  delivery,  Husband  in  Maine. 
Last  week  died  &  was  buried,  the  Wife  of  Jona.  Lambert,  one  of 
our  Selectmen.  She  was  a  daughter  of  a  celebrated  Capt.  Lee  of 
this  Town,  a  well  known  Navigator,  &  commonly  called  Philoso- 
pher Lee.  The  freedom  of  his  own  temper  he  has  not  transmitted 
to  his  posterity.  The  deceased  daughter,  in  concurrence  with  her 
more  noted  Sister  Norris,  has  been  very  active  in  disseminating  a 
zeal  for  religious  opinions,  or  rather  for  religious  associations  not 
of  the  most  happy  character  for  candour,  knowledge,  or  friendly 
dispositions.  She  was  a  woman  of  a  good  heart,  &  guided  by  those 
who  could  profit  by  her  zeal.  She  has  been  very  unhappy  in  her 
sons,  as  has  been  her  Sister.  So  that  they  have  not  been  example* 
of  ruling  well  their  own  houses,  but  remarkably  of  the  contrary 
character. 

This  Sunday  for  the  first  time  the  law  was  vigorously  executed^ 
which  prohibited  the  opening  of  shops  for  shaving  &  dressing  on 
Sunday.  The  Barbers  to  prevent  any  advantages  from  their 
credulity,  agreed  with  each  other  that  whoever  should  be  detected 
in  taking  secret  advantages  should  for  the  first  offence  forfeit  one 
hundred  dollars.  The  Grand  Jury  prohibited  the  practice.  This 
agreement  was  for  the  security  of  their  interest,  &  was  voluntary 
among  themselves.  Riding  on  Sunday  which  had  become  & 
nuisance  has  also  been  prevented  &  a  Bill  was  found  against  the 
Mail  Stage  at  the  last  County  Court.  It  does  not  appear  that 
there  was  the  least  opposition.  For  several  months,  the  Concourse 
at  the  Corners  of  the  Central  Streets  has  been  prevented  by  the 
Town  Constables. 

Br.  H.  of  Dorchester  assured  me  that  upon  a  late  exchange  with 
H.  of  Newton,  a  good  classmate  of  mine,  Br.  H.  of  N.,  sharply  re- 
proved his  amiable  wife  at  D.  for  cooking  on  Sunday,  a  fine  pig, 
which  the  affection  of  a  parishioner  brouglit  5  miles  in  the  rain  on 
the  evening  before,  &  which  must  have  been  lost  had  not  it  been 
provided  for  the  next  dinner.  The  excuse  was  not  admitted — 
"better  loose  the  pig  than  a  soul."  These  are  puritanical  manners 
in  all  the  starch  of  antiquity. 

29.  Nothing  has  yet  transpired  from  the  Ecclesiastical  Coun- 
cil at  the  Tabernacle.     It  is  a  subject  rather  of  ridicule  at  present 


1801]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  381 

than  of  serious  investigation.  Religion  gets  no  aid  from  such 
transactions.  My  Landlord,  B.  Crowinshield,  has  returned  after  8 
months  detention  iu  Alquizeras.  He  tells  many  stories  which  are 
to  be  in  the  Gazette. 

30.  My  Barber  shew  me  the  agreement  among  the  Barbers  & 
Hair  Dressers  against  any  employment  in  the  Sundays.  This  rule 
is  to  be  pursued  with  rigour.  It  is  a  severe  restraint,  the  last  pen- 
alty agreed  upon  among  themselves  is  50  dollars  for  each  offence. 
The  restraint  is  opposed,  but  only  by  those  who  have  little  charac- 
ter &  little  influence.  The  prediction  is  that  not  arising  from  the 
public  wishes,  it  cannot  last  long.  The  grand  jury  men  who  press 
it,  have  not  personal  consequence. 

31.  Gray's  Ropewalk  struck  by  Lightning  on  25  instant,  dam- 
aged 230  feet. 

August  1  [1801].  Went  to  Philips'  Beach.  Aunt  Molly  tells 
me  that  the  g.  grand  father  of  her  Father  first  came  to  America 
early  in  the  settlements.  That  the  land  they  possess  was  purchased 
of  one  King,  who  lived  near  where  Burrill  lived,  now  Hooper's. 
That  he  sold  also  to  Blaney  &  their  Ancestor  married  a  Blaney. 
The  Family  Bible  was  printed  in  London  1730  &  the  gold  sleeve  but- 
tons delivered  from  their  ancestors  were  small,  of  round  figure,  plain 
&  rim  bent  inwards.  The  Philips'  became  Quakers  in  America,  in 
the  time  of  persecution.  She  could  not  be  trusted  with  a  more 
minute  detail. 

2.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joshua  Phippen  &  family,  d.  of  Daughter 
Dean,  pr.  for  2  Sons  at  Sea,  Th.  for  one  returned.  Thomas  Dean, 
d.  of  d.  in  law  Dean,  pr.  for  g.  son  at  Sea.  William  Oliver  &  wife 
&  mother,   d.  of  their  youngest  Child. 

Spaulding's  Council  resulted  unanimously  against  him.  That  he 
had  no  right  to  ask  a  negative  upon  the  whole  Church  &  that  they 
were  right  in  holding  the  special  articles  of  the  first  agreement  at 
his  ordination.  Spaulding  refuses  to  express  his  approbation,  &  it 
is  said  has  not  in  form  asked  a  dismission,  but  has  written  a  Let- 
ter, but  at  present  no  reply  is  to  be  made.  Mr.  Punchard  was  the 
person  who  gave  this  information  &  who  replied  to  Mr.  Spaulding 
before  the  Council  in  answer  to  the  Pastor. 

5.  Mr.  Benjamin  Ropes,  son  of  Mr.  Samuel  Ropes,  being  second 
mate  on  board  the  Bellisarius,  was  employed  in  taking  down  the 
topmast  &  was  suddenly  struck  &  died  instantly.  He  was  on  the 
cap  of  the  Foremast,  &  received  the  whole  weight  of  the  Top  Mast. 
He  was  greatly  esteemed.  He  was  killed  yesterday,  &  buried  this 
day.  About  400  persons  attended  in  procession,  &  he  was  the  first 
ever  lodged  in  the  new  burying  ground,  which  lays  below  Brown 
street,  &  between  Peter's  street  &  Williams  street  extending  to 
North  River. 

6.  Visited  Capt.  James  Chever's  family  garden  in  front  of  the 
East  Meeting   House.     It  was  happily  arranged,  perfectly  clean. 


382  DIARY  OF  [Aug. 

productive,  &  ornamented  in  great  simplicily.  The  Drain  led 
through  in  planks,  afforded  a  constant  &  clear  sheet  of  water.  This 
is  a  model  for  a  family  garden.  The  Mrs.  Perkins  who  died  yester- 
day, certainly  died  of  the  yellow  fever,  in  Essex  S.  corner  of  Hardy 
street. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  S.  Ropes  &  wife  &  Children,  D.  of  Son 
Benjamin  by  fall  of  mast.  James  Perkins,  d.  of  his  wife.  Abigail 
Porter  &  Children,  d.  of  her  d.  Perkins,  pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Samuel 
Lambert  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Mother  &  Br.  in  his  absence,  returned 
from  Sea,  pr.  for  absent  friends.  Nathaniel  Trow  &  wife,  her 
delivery,  pr.  for  absent  friends.  A  Newburyport  Story  is  that 
Gillet,  Minister  of  Hallowell,  had  addressed  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Cof- 
fin, &  had  appointed  the  hour  of  Marriage.  The  friends  were  as- 
sembled, &  the  Minister  excused  himself,  &  retired.  The  company 
dispersed  &  this  is  the  second  excentricity  in  the  Clergy  who  visit 
that  place.  The  meetings  still  continue  &  they  now  have  Street 
preaching.  It  is  expected  that  the  zeal  will  abate  &  Lectures  will 
be  less  frequent.  On  24  July  a  Baptist  Church  opened  in  Port- 
land. Greene  who  was  at  Menotomy  &  afterwards  at  New  Mills, 
Danvers,  has  had  great  success  in  North  Yarmouth,  &  divided  the 
parish. 

11.  The  day  for  our  Association  at  my  House.  Present,  Revd. 
Forbes,  Fuller,  Wadsworth,  Barnard,  Prince,  Mackeen,  Thacher, 
Green,  Dr.  Eliot  &  Revd.  Emerson  from  Boston  visited  us  &  Mr. 
Emerson  preached  an  ingenuous  discourse  &  pious,  upon  confidence 
in  God.  Messieurs  Curwin,  Parker,  G.  S.  Master  &  Dr.  Little 
dined  with  us.  Captains  Crowninshield,  Hodges  &  Gibaut  let  us 
have  their  servants. 

13.  Visited  in  Company  with  Capt.  Hodges  &  Gibaut  the  Museum 
of  the  East  India  Marine  Society.  As  they  have  not  been  long  in 
the  habit  of  Collecting,  the  Collection  is  entitled  to  notice.  They 
are  furnished  with  several  images  &  paintings  of  Hindostan,  China 
&  Japan,  with  complete  dresses  in  the  Chinese  fashion.  They  have 
various  specimens  of  the  Oyster  shells  of  Sumatra.  Large  collec- 
tions of  the  smaller  shells  &  some  of  them  beautiful.  The  Alba- 
tross, birds  of  paradise,  parakets,  &  several  birds.  No  fish,  &  but 
few  insects.  Some  antiquities,  &  a  handsome  number  of  Coins 
given  by  E.  H.  Derby.  A  few  specimens  of  stones,  ores,  &c.  not 
arranged,  petrefactions,  &  curiosities,  in  all  185  articles.  They 
have  a  foundation  for  a  Library  well  begun,  as  it  contains  already 
Cooke's  Voyages,  Perouse,  Vancouver,  &c.  Their  Museum  is  kept 
over  the  Marine  office  in  the  Brick  Building,  east  corner  of  Court 
Street,  fronting  Essex  street.  Communications  are  required  on  the 
Voyages  of  Members  &  such  only  are  members  as  circumnavigate 
Cape  of  Good  Hope.  Capt.  Sage  has  lately  delivered  a  Chart  of  a 
Voyage  with  the  tract  of  his  Ship,  &  it  is  a  good  beginning.  There 
has  been  very  lately  opened  an  Indian  Grave  near  the  Iron  Factory 


1801]  WILLIAM   BBNTLEY,   D.  D.  383 

on  Cowhouse  or  Duck  river,  at  Waters'  Bridge.  Capt.  Osgood  who 
shewed  me  an  oblong,  smooth  &  flat  stone  about  7  inches  long,  much 
in  the  form  of  a  Chisel  but  not  sharpened  at  either  end,  told  me 
that  there  were  found  graves  of  a  grown  person  &  of  a  Child.  Of 
Mr.  Goodale,  who  opened  the  grave,  he  got  no  })articulars,  only  that 
he  thought  the  Child  may  have  been  wrapped  in  Copper.  He  did 
not  explain  himself.  The  parts  of  bones  remaining  were  left  with 
Mr.  Reid. 

14.  I  took  a  walk  to  the  Iron  works,  to  observe  the  spot  on 
which  the  bones  were  found.  It  was  upon  the  top  of  a  Nole,  E.  of 
the  road,  &  on  the  N.  W.  side  of  the  river,  just  behind  the  new 
house  built  near  the  new  wharf,  for  the  benefit  of  which  the  earth 
was  removed.  No  person  employed  saw  the  bones  till  they  attempt- 
ed to  remove  the  earth  with  a  wheelbarrow.  As  the  earth  is  filled 
with  stones  of  various  sizes,  «&  very  loose,  digging  at  bottom  loosened 
it  so  that  it  fell  down  in  large  quantities,  &  the  true  position  could 
not  be  ascertained  of  the  Body.  The  piece  of  the  thigh  bone  was 
found  horizontally  sticking  out  beyond  the  earth  on  the  side  of  the 
nole,  which  had  been  dug  into  a  perpendicular  of  12  feet,  at  the 
distance  of  3  feet  from  the  surface  and  a  stone  of  one  foot  diameter 
lodged  upon  the  bone.  As  the  hip  part  of  the  bone  was  in  the 
ground  the  face  must  have  been  rising  to  the  south,  &  if  sitting 
facing  to  the  south,  if  lying  facing  to  the  south,  but  lying  to  the 
north.  As  the  part  of  the  scull  fell  out  before  the  thigh  bone  was 
entirely  disengaged  the  presumption  is  that  the  skeleton  was  sitting. 
The  part  of  the  scull  was  the  back  part.  Near  &  with  it  was  found 
the  chest,  supposed  to  be  of  a  child,  containing  several  ribs,  supposed 
to  have  been  wrapped  in  a  skin,  tied  round  by  a  leathern  thong  on 
which  Copper  was  strung.  As  I  saw  none  of  the  bones  &  no  person 
had  preserved  any  of  the  Copper  I  can  rest  only  upon  the  united 
testimony  of  the  Smiths  &  all  who  saw  it  that  it  actually  was 
Copper.  This  preserved  Chest  of  the  body  which  still  held  its  form 
for  seven  inches  in  height  &  4  inches  through,  has  been  supposed  to 
be  a  dog  by  some,  but  did  they  tie  copper  on  the  body  or  neck  of  a  dog? 
Mr.  Skidmore  told  me  on  the  spot  that  he  had  dealt  much  with  the 
eastern  Indians,  &  that  at  the  Cape  Sables,  they  buried  a  stone  or 
bone  marked  across  with  a  line  for  the  children,  distinguishing  those 
for  females  by  a  round  hole  in  the  marked  line  in  part  or  entirely 
through  the  stone  or  bone.  Dr.  Putnam  says  that  Indians  have 
been  seen  on  this  point  since  his  day  within  80  years,  who  sold 
brooms,  &c.  to  the  Inhabitants  but  these  accounts  are  confused.  It 
is  determined  that  the  Inhabitants  of  Salem  found  none  of  the  native 
Indians  of  this  quarter  120  years  ago  in  this  vicinity.  The  tame 
Indians  travelling  about  might  tarry  here  about  a  short  time,  but 
there  would  be  traditions  of  their  burial  places,  if  in  any  number. 
There  has  been  a  tradition  of  the  Northfield  Indians,  said  upon  the 
authority  of  Revd.  John  Higginson.     These  may  be  the  Indians 


384  DIARY  OF  [Aug. 

which  Putnam  might  see  or  hear  of,  &  these  might  have  been  in 
Higginson's  time,  &  have  continued  some  time  after  his  death? 
Mr.  R.  Manning  jur""  assured  me  that  Mr.  Coates  who  afterwards 
lived  &  died  in  Boston,  did  before  the  War  hold  a  Coach,  with  which 
he  went  to  Boston  once  a  week,  &  that  he,  Mr.  Manning,  assisted  as 
a  Blacksmith  to  repair  it,  &  that  it  was  burnt  in  the  Great  Fire  of 
1774.  In  talking  about  Indians  do  we  not  often  talk  obscurely. 
We  say  the  Indians  go  back  ?  What  Indians  have  forsaken  their 
own  Territory  or  have  crowded  back  on  more  remote  tribes?  Have 
they  not  been  consumed,  before  their  whole  Territory  has  been  oc- 
cupied by  the  European  settlers?  We  ought  to  settle  this  point  in 
the  present  generation,  that  posterity  may  be  well  informed.  Is  it 
not  better  to  believe  that  the  state  in  which  our  first  settlers  found 
the  Indians  was  their  common  state,  as  it  agrees  with  what  we  fin  d 
upon  the  whole  extent  of  the  North  West  Coast,  rather  than  to  give 
credit  to  traditions  about  their  distruction  by  a  plague,  war,  or  any 
other  sudden  Calamity? 

15.  Attended,  in  the  absence  of  Dr.  Bernard,  the  funeral  of 
Abiel  Hooper,  wid.  of  Benjamin  Hooper,  Ship  carpenter,  who  has 
been  dead  above  20  years.  She  was  a  Bright,  &  had  no  children, 
married  late  &  was  the  second  wife.  Saw  dug  up  a  Grave  stone  on 
the  grave  of  Thomas  Downing  who  died  1702,  set.  36,  and  of 
Sarah  Butler,  wife  of  Edmund,  who  died  1670,  set.  60  years. 

16.  Sunday.  Note.  Abigail  Phippen,  d.  of  her  Mother  in  Law 
Hooper,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Br.  at  Sea.  At  the  Association  was 
regularly  introduced  the  correspondence  of  Mr.  S.  Dana  with  the 
second  Essex  Association,  by  which  it  appears  that  they  are  per- 
fectly satisfied  with  his  penitence  &  humility.  No  measures  were 
adopted  &  it  was  accepted  as  a  communication.  Mr.  Dana  has  re- 
ceived a  call  from  the  first  Church  in  Marblehead.  The  smart  of 
discipline  has  kept  Story  from  our  Association.  The  great  Doctor 
Morse  in  Town  today  at  the  North  Church.  It  is  to  be  hoped  he 
will  have  no  opportunity  to  do  any  mischief. 

17.  The  eldest  son  &  second  daughter  of  John  Winthrop  were 
with  me  this  day.  He  tells  me  that  there  were  not  so  many  of  the 
name  of  Win  throp  in  the  United  States  as  there  were  in  30  years 
after  the  first  settlement.  That  all  branches  are  well  known  &  that 
only  22  persons  in  the  United  States  bear  the  name  of  Winthrop. 
His  Father  was  the  only  son  of  Judge  &  Professor  Winthrop  that 
has  married.  They  are  going  to  visit  their  land  &  property  in 
Maine. 

18.  A  Mr.  Brown,  Baker,  died  of  an  high  bilious  fever  in  Derby 
street,  between  Daniel  &  Hardy  Street.  He  always  wore  an  in- 
flamed countenance.  This  resembles  the  yellow  fever  so  much,  that 
the  yellow  fever  is  considered  only  as  a  more  advanced  state  of 
disease. 

20.     A  youth  named  Leach,  set.  15,  drowned  in  the  Mill  pond, 


/ 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLET,   D.    D.  385 

last  evening,  bathing,  killed  by  the  Sluice  gate.  A  daughter  of 
Skidmore  of  Dan  vers  has  murdered  her  infant  child.  The  Jury  have 
brought  in  their  verdict,  murder.  Mrs.  West  a  great  mover  of  the 
Female  association  for  relief  of  poor  children  has  declined  the  con- 
nection because  she  was  not  chosen  Directress  tho'  she  had  refused 
to  serve,  but  claiming  the  honour  as  D.  of  Mr.  Derby. 

22.  Madame  Harthorne,*  past  80  years  of  age,  tells  me  that 
George  Fairfax,  she  thinks  his  name  was  George,t  did  assist  at  the 
building  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Salem.  As  she  expressed  it, 
cast  in  his  mite,  but  she  thinks  he  did  not  contribute  greatly.  He 
was  Brother  to  Lord  Fairfax,  had  with  him  two  sons,  George  & 
Thomas  &  two  daughters.  That  his  wife  died  at  Salem  &  that  ap- 
plication was  made  for  the  use  of  the  First  Church  for  the  Funeral 
Service  &  Sermon,  but  was  not  granted.  That  in  consequence  ap- 
plication was  made  to  the  Second  or  East  Church,  &  the  service  was 
performed  in  it.  That  the  English  Church  was  then  building. 
The  windows  of  the  Church  were  glaized  in  English's  Shop  in  front 
of  the  Mansion  house,  Essex  Street,  corner  of  English  Street,  by  a 
Mr.  Rutland  &  his  daughter  from  Beverly.  That  the  supper  at  the 
raising  of  the  Church  was  at  James  Gibson's  who  lived  where 
Deacon  Holman  now  lives,  Essex  street,  east  side  of  Cambridge 
street,  &  Mr.  G.  Fairfax  lived  in  Harthorne's  House  on  the  west 
side  of  Cambridge  street  facing  Essex  Street.  Mr.  Fairfax  married 
for  his  second  wife,  Deborah  Clarke,  sister  of  Capt.  John  Clarke 
who  commanded  at  the  Fort.  That  Mr,  Fairfax  finding  the  living 
in  the  Customs  at  Salem  in  the  service  of  the  Government  incom- 
petent to  his  maintenance  was  appointed  by  his  Brother's  influence 
to  an  office  in  Virginia,  in  which  his  Salem  wife  died.  She  could 
not  say  whether  he  died  in  that  Colony.  The  painting  of  the 
Lord's  prayer,  10  Commandments  &  Creed  cost  300J6  old  tenour, 
tho'  I  suspect  that  she  was  deceived  in  the  sum.  It  was  probably 
smaller  as  Esq'  Bowditch  made  the  matter  memorable  by  asking  the 
people  how  much  they  all  were  worth,  &  then  by  telling  what  they 
all  cost.  The  painter  came  from  Boston.  She  supposed  that  there 
were  about  12  original  proprietors  of  the  Church,  some  of  which 
lived  in  Marblehead.  She  remembers  her  G.  Father  English  gave 
the  land,  &  her  Father  Tousel  assisted.  Capt.  John  Clarke,  Mr. 
James  Gibson ,  a  Mr.  Manning,  &c.  Dr.  Cutter,  Mr.  Peirce,  &  Har- 
wood  supplied  the  desk  till  Brockwell's  time.  She  was  christened 
by  Mr.  Brockwell.  She  remembers  them  all  at  her  grandfather's  & 
Father's.  Mr.  Macgilchrist  lived  &  died  in  the  House  which  be- 
longed to  her  family  &  in  which  she  lived. 

23.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Watson  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Sister 
Treadwell  at  Ipswich.  She  was  a  White  of  Salem.  Hannah  Webb, 
sudden  d.  of  her  Child,  pr.  for  husb.  &  friends  at  Sea.     Robert 

•SusftDDA,  daaghter  of  John  and  Susanna  (Tooael)  Hatbome. 
tWiUUm. 


386  DIAKY  OF  [Sept. 

Voorhees  &  wife,  death  of  her  Brother,  pr.  for  Br.  at  Sea.  He  is  a 
Mulatto  married  to  a  White  woman  named  Odell,  married  in  their 
own  way,  but  he  is  a  worthy  man.  Judith  Caley,  delivery,  Husband 
&  Brethren  at  Sea.  Dr.  Morse's  Sermons  at  the  North  Church  were 
to  be  asked  for  the  press.  A  Son  of  Treadwell  has  carried  round  a 
subscription  paper.  They  were  said  to  be  suited  to  the  times.  We 
hear  no  more. 

25.  Mr.  John  Andrew  informed  me  that  he  was  at  Brunswick 
at  the  Election  of  a  President.  That  Dr.  Dean  had  been  previously 
asked  to  accept  that  office,  but  had  absolutely  declined.  That  re- 
peated trials  were  made  to  obtain  Mr.  Bradford,  Minister  at  Wis- 
casset,  without  success,  &  finally  Mr.  McKeen  obtained  the  Election. 

26.  The  Theatrical  Exhibitions  of  this  Town  have  been  con- 
ducted with  greater  success  for  the  Players  than  at  any  former 
visit.  The  drollery  is  the  part  which  has  the  highest  applause,  & 
the  Actors  are  of  a  Character  to  excell  in  the  small  way. 

27.  As  the  Pond  on  the  Common  near  the  Brown  street  was 
nearly  dry,  I  was  shewn  a  very  great  number  of  Eels  struggling  in 
the  water  left,  from  7  to  3  inches  in  length. 

September  2  [1801].  Attended  the  funeral  of  a  Widow  Cox,  in 
Summer  street,  set.  86.  Two  Ministers  had  gone  to  the  ordination 
this  day  at  Manchester  &  two  to  Connecticut  for  their  health. 

3.  A  Son  of  Mr.  Taylor  of  Merrimac  visited  in  Daniel's  Street. 
He  has  been  dang,  sick  of  the  Yellow  Fever.  Mrs.  Perkins  &  Mr. 
Brown  died  of  it.  Mrs.  Perkins,  Essex  street  near  the  Meeting 
House ;  Brown,  between  Hardy  &  Daniel's  street,  in  Derby  street, 
among  the  small  buildings. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  MacEwen&  wife,  d.  of  Child,  pr.  for 
two  Children  absent  &  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  John  Hill,  her 
delivery,  Brethren  at  Sea.  Last  Wednesday,  Abraham  Kaiidall  was 
ordained  at  Manchester.  He  was  accepted  with  great  unanimity. 
Mr.  Forbes  of  Gloucester  made  the  ordaining  prayer,  Mr.  Frisbee 
preached,  Dr.  Dana  gave  the  Charge  &  Mr.  Fuller  the  right  hand  of 
Fellowship.  The  prayers  were  by  Mr.  Newell  of  Stow  &  McKeen. 
This  Society  long  enjoyed  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Tappan,  Mr.  Parish 
his  successor  lived  but  a  little  while,  &  a  wish  to  confine  baptism 
to  the  Children  of  the  Communicants  threatened  him  with  great 
discontents.  He  was  a  man  of  small  powers,  but  acted  under  the 
influence  of  his  Brother  at  Newbury.  The  Town  lost  more  by  a 
fever  and  sickness  in  one  year  according  to  its  population  than 
Philadelphia  in  the  worst  year  of  the  Fever.  We  think  they  will 
retrieve  their  circumstances  as  they  are  poor.  Mr.  Eben  Parsons 
of  Boston,  Merchant,  has  been  very  bountiful  to  them,  in  assisting 
their  settlement.  They  are  commonly  called  the  Little  City,  They 
are  poor  as  Fishermen  &  generally  as  Farmers,  &  have  little  infor- 
mation. They  have  been  often  disturbed  by  the  New  Lights  & 
Itinerants  &  suffered  much  from  the  indiscretion  of  Mr,  Cleveland 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  387 

of  Chebaco,  who  lived  to  repent  of  his  many  irregularities.  Major 
Lee  had  the  principal  influence  among  them  when  I  first  knew 
them  in  1782,  Mr.  Tuck,  the  Custom  house  oflicer  of  Gloucester, 
now  leads.  Major  Stover  has  the  greatest  interest  and  trade  in  the 
place.  They  give  800  D.  settlement  &  500  1).  salary  to  the  New 
Minister. 

8.  Our  Association  at  Danvers,  Wadsworth's.  I  saw  for  the 
first  time  ^Mr.  Dow  of  Upper  Beverly,  &  Mr.  Dana  the  Candidate 
for  ]\Iarblehead.  Mr.  Dana  preached  in  all  the  plentitude  of  or- 
thodoxy. Arrangements  were  made  for  the  Ordination.  Mr. 
Randall  with  us  from  Manchester.  I  was  obliged  to  return  to 
Salem  to  attend  a  funeral.  Report  says  Mr.  Wadsworth  is  about 
to  mai-ry  a  widow,  daughter  of  Judge  Holten. 

9.  This  day  was  our  military  Review.  There  had  been 
great  preparations  &  hence  there  were  great  expectations.  I  had 
not  a  full  view  of  all  the  military  exhibitions.  I  should  have  loved 
them  more  had  I  supposed  a  liberal  design  to  serve  the  public 
interest  had  been  the  real  cause  of  the  present  arrangement. 

12.  I  agreed  upon  an  exchange  of  Pulpits  with  Dr.  Macclintock, 
of  Greenland,  &  engaged  at  first  a  passage  in  the  Stage,  but  con- 
sented to  accompany  Capt.  Gibaut  who  in  a  Chaise  intended  a  tour 
to  the  eastward.  We  left  Salem  early  &  took  breakfast  at  Ipswich. 
No  essential  changes  had  taken  place  in  this  decaying  town  since 
my  last  visit  to  it.  We  reached  Newburyport  at  noon.  We  visited 
the  Presbyterian  Meeting  House  in  which  Mr.  Milton  preaches  and 
found  it  cut  open  with  the  purpose  of  enlarging  it.  It  was  open 
exactly  in  front  of  the  front  gallery.  We  then  visited  the  beautiful 
mall  which  they  have  railed  in  High  street  above  the  pond.  As  it 
is  now  in  high  style  &  good  order,  it  has  a  very  good  effect.  We 
then  visited  the  new  Meeting  house,  which  is  to  receive  the  Old 
Church,  formerly  standing  on  ^larket  Square  &  which  is  now  pulling 
down.  Every  elegance  is  pursued  in  the  new  Building,  which 
stands  in  a  cross  street,  but  must  have  looked  better  in  High  street. 
Only  the  frame  of  the  Spire  is  up,  &  the  pulpit  unfinished.  The 
wall  below  is  painted  blue,  the  pews  of  a  light  green.  The  pulpit 
is  entered  at  two  doors,  which  communicate  with  a  large  Porch  or 
Vestry  behind  it.  It  is  rich  with  composition  work  as  is  the  gallery, 
without  the  simplicity  of  the  gallery  in  Exeter,  tho'  the  columns 
are  in  greater  proportions,  yet  not  so  well  displayed,  as  the  foot  of 
the  shaft  is  below  the  pews  in  Newbury,  but  more  happily  above 
in  Exeter.  They  were  preparing  the  work  before  the  pulpit  on  the 
floor  at  Newbury,  &  this  I  disapproved,  as  I  did  the  work  at 
Exeter,  &  proposed  to  have  it  left  open  entirely.  The  Steeple 
above  the  Tower  in  Newbury,  I  suspect  will  have  a  better  effect 
than  in  Exeter,  but  the  Tower  will  not  as  I  think  at  present.  I  saw 
Timothy  Dexter's  large  Columns  &  Lions  in  front  of  his  House  as 
I  passed  along.     I  paid  my  civil  respects  to  Revd.  Gary,  &  my  duty 


388  DIABY  OF  [Sept. 

to  the  good  old  Bishop  Bass.  Every  visit  discovers  great  improve- 
ments in  High  street.  I  observed  the  old  neglected  Grasshopper 
Plain  meeting  house  still  standing.  We  visited  no  families  but 
passed  on  to  the  Bridge  &  dined  on  Carr's  island.  We  passed  by 
Salisbury  meeting  house  lately  vacant  by  the  death  of  their  min- 
ister. We  saw  two  vessels  on  the  Stocks.  In  Hampton  Falls  we 
passed  first  a  Baptist  meeting  much  out  of  repair,  &  then  a  Quaker 
meeting  house.  The  Congregational  meeting  house  was  upon  the 
road  to  Exeter,  We  found  Well's  Tavern  much  repaired,  partic- 
ularly on  the  outside.  At  Hampton  the  late  divisions  have  caused 
a  new  meeting  house,  northerly  from  the  old,  which  is  occupied  by 
the  more  zealous.  North  hill,  called  Northampton  meeting  house, 
is  without  a  spire,  as  is  the  new  Meeting  at  Hampton.  Mr.  Thurs- 
ton the  minister  of  North  hill  has  given  up  his  charge  &  gone  to 
Maine.  We  reached  Greenland  at  5  o'clock.  It  is  a  plain  &  said 
to  be  a  wealthy  town.  No  ostentation  marks  their  wealth.  We 
found  a  Mr.  Clark  an  obliging  school  master  at  Dr.  Macclintock,  & 
a  daughter  &  g.  d.  of  the  Doctor.  Mr.  Clark  lives  in  the  neighbour- 
hood. He  has  been  Schoolmaster  11  years,  an  advantage  in  a  Town 
as  it  renders  the  school  constant  throughout  the  year. 

13.  Sunday.  The  meeting  house  built  at  the  Ordination  of  Dr. 
Macclintock  is  without  any  ornament  or  paint  within  or  without. 
It  has  a  decent  steeple,  &  a  bell  lately  purchased  from  the  foundery 
of  Revere  &  Son  at  Boston,  of  700  weight.  Their  former  bell  had 
cracked.  Dr.  Macclintock  was  settled  in  1756  when  the  New 
Meeting  house  was  built.  Their  first  minister  W.  Allen  was  ord. 
in  1713  &  died  in  1760,  set.  84,  So  that  two  Ministers  have  nearly 
completed  a  Century  in  this  town.  It  was  originally  part  of  Ports- 
mouth. As  the  Farmers  are  in  easy  not  affluent  circumstances,  the 
Faims  continue  much  as  they  have  been  for  many  years.  The 
increase  is  great  but  the  emigration  keeps  the  population  of  the 
Town  nearly  the  same.  Their  numbers  in  1775  were  759,  but  in 
1790,  634.  At  a  late  Emigration  50  souls  went  into  the  interiour 
country,  so  that  the  population  is  probably  still  dimished  by  the 
late  census.  In  the  public  worship,  the  singers  are  placed  in  the 
center  of  the  ground  floor,  &  the  principal  families  around  in  pews 
near  the  wall.  The  pews  near  the  walls  in  the  galleries  are  also 
filled  by  the  young  of  both  sexes,  and  the  negro  servants  in  the 
front  seats  of  the  gallery  &  a  few  children  on  the  sides  of  the  gallery. 
There  is  observed  a  great  silence  &  decency,  for  which  they  are 
distinguished  in  time  of  service.  Dr.  Macclintock  has  had  a  large 
family  of  16  children.  His  first  wife  is  long  since  dead.  His 
second  wife  was  a  Fernald  &  the  widow  of  a  Mr.  Dalling  of  Ports- 
mouth. Most  of  his  children  are  dead.  He  has  two  sons,  merchants 
in  Portsmouth,  He  was  born  in  Medford,  Mass.  &  his  father  came 
from  Ireland.  He  was  educated  at  New  Jersey  College  under 
President  Burr,  who  had  the  special  charge  of  the  class  to  which 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  389 

Dr.  M.  belonged.  He  was  Chaplain  in  the  Army  after  he  graduated 
&  before  he  settled  in  the  ministry  &  is  now  70  years  of  age.  He 
has  a  good  person,  great  ease  of  manners,  quick  eye,  open  counte- 
nance, fine  taste,  &  an  excellent  imagination  with  good  judgment. 
No  man  ever  prepossessed  me  more  at  first  sight  of  his  countenance. 
He  has  admired  the  style  of  Robertson's  H.  of  Scotland  &  has 
gained  much  of  it,  with  his  own  characteristic  sprightliness.  In 
Controversy  he  is  ready,  &  distinguished  for  point.  Satire  is  his 
own,  never  cruel,  but  powerful.  His  prayers  are  solemn,  but  more 
of  narration,  than  passion,  more  of  reflection  than  petition,  more  of 
thought  than  devout  expression.  His  sermons  are  clear,  compre- 
hensive &  judicious.  His  wit  is  too  humble  for  his  style,  because 
it  is  intended  for  his  audience  while  his  sermons  are  written  with 
the  greatest  purity  &  exactness.  He  has  no  equal  in  his  own  State, 
&  perhaps  no  superior  in  New  England.  No  man  in  N.  H.  will  be 
called  into  comparison  with  him.  He  is  a  republican  in  his  integrity, 
in  his  manners  &  in  his  opinions.  He  is  free  to  confess  himself,  as 
in  his  Oration  of  the  death  of  Washington,  an  adorer  of  no  man,  a 
friend  to  the  honours  which  are  bestowed  on  merit,  but  not  to  the 
Owls  perched  in  open  day,  or  the  timid  Whigs,  who  fear  to  defend 
liberty,  but  never  forget  the  loaves  &  the  Fishes.  The  Brother  of 
his  wife,  Mr,  Samuel  Fernald,  gave  us  his  company  for  the  day. 

14.  This  morning  I  called  upon  Mr.  Huse  at  the  Tavern  in 
Greenland,  &  hired  for  3  shillings,  1/2  D.,  a  horse  &  Chaise  for 
Portsmouth,  6  1/2  miles.  I  reached  Portsmouth  early  &  breakfast- 
ed in  the  north  part  of  the  Town  at  Mr.  Samuel  Fernald's  at  his 
request.  Judge  Pickering  waited  upon  me  from  Brewster's  to  Mr. 
Fernald's,  &  it  was  a  subject  of  grief  that  a  gentleman  of  his  tal- 
ents &  high  office,  should  bear  such  marks  of  intemperance.  He 
was  free  for  conversation  &  it  had  all  the  fire  of  his  habits,  but 
nothing  of  their  folly.  He  gave  me  much  useful  information. 
Parties  are  at  their  height  in  Portsmouth  &  the  Republicans  pre- 
vail. They  look  to  Mr.  Langdon  at  present  as  a  more  successful 
candidate  than  Walker  &  hope  to  elect  him  Governour  of  the  State 
at  the  next  choice.  I  found  Brewster  had  retired  from  the  former 
stand  &  kept  only  a  boarding  house  on  a  cross  street.  Upon  enter- 
ing the  town  I  found  a  ropewalk  on  my  right,  I  saw  another  in 
the  south  part  of  the  Town,  &  two  others  in  the  north  part,  not  far 
from  Boyd's  Lots,  &  the  new  burying  ground.  The  Portsmouth 
pier  has  every  advantage  over  the  old  Long  wharf.  Besides  hand- 
some &  convenient  stores,  it  is  very  convenient  for  business.  We 
saw  the  packets  descend  the  river  with  their  articles  for  the  mark- 
et. The  Navy  yard  was  in  good  order  for  timber  &  the  piers  in 
full  view.  On  Pierce's  Island  one  ship  was  building  for  Pierce  & 
Sheafe.  The  Creeks  which  enter  the  town  must  ultimately  prove  a 
nuisance  if  left  in  their  present  state.  Grave  Point  has  an  antient 
grave  yard  in  the  greatest  confusion  &  tho'  the  monuments  of  the 


390  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

best  families  are  to  be  found  in  it  in  the  utmost  neglect.  The  flag 
stones  on  the  side  of  the  streets  are  a  great  convenience,  for  they 
have  only  one  short  &  narrow  street  paved.  In  the  north  part  of 
the  Town,  Boyd's  house  is  pleasantly  situated.  The  lots  before  it 
are  staked  out  for  sale.  He  died  on  his  return  from  England  in 
1787.  The  old  Meeting  house  is  the  largest  &  in  good  repair,  it 
has  a  clock  with  an  hour  pointer.  There  are  three  steeples  in  the 
Town,  but  none  of  them  erected  since  the  war.  They  stand  upon 
the  Old  &  South  Meeting  Houses  &  upon  the  Church  of  England. 
The  single  row  of  arched  windows  in  the  Church  look  well,  but  the 
porch  on  the  south  side  does  not.  It  has  the  best  situation.  The 
sect  of  Drownists  still  hold  their  house,  but  diminish.  A  Mr. 
Walton,  a  Carpenter,  officiates  commonly.  The  Universalists  have 
a  small  building  of  one  story,  not  filled,  under  George  Richards. 
They  talk  of  erecting  a  steeple.  Mr.  Humphreys  in  a  private 
house  instructs  the  Sanderaanians  or  Glassites  who  remain.  The 
Church  of  England  is  in  a  more  flourishing  state,  than  at  any  time 
since  the  war,  under  a  Mr.  Willard.  Mr.  Buckminster  of  the  Old 
Church  &  Mr.  Alden  of  the  South  Church  have  opened  a  weekly 
lecture  in  the  spirit  of  Newbury,  but  there  is  less  danger  of  fanati- 
cism in  Portsmouth  than  in  Newbury.  The  people  are  not  most 
attentive  to  public  worship.  The  new  Market  house  in  the  Center 
of  the  Town  is  of  brick.  The  lower  part  is  in  stalls  &  is  provided 
only  for  a  meat  market  with  8  stalls  &  under  good  regulations. 
The  second  story  will  afford  a  handsome  room,  but  it  is  not  yet 
finished  or  appropriated.  The  Assembly  room  is  private  property 
&  is  much  out  of  repair.  The  whole  Town  includes  many  fine 
houses,  but  the  whole  has  not  a  very  great  effect.  The  numerous 
porticos  have  not  a  good  style,  &  the  Cupolas  are  too  heavy,  if  any 
Cupola  can  have  a  good  effect  upon  any  house  whatever.  Ports- 
mouth still  preserves  its  reputation  for  hospitality  to  strangers,  & 
no  town  in  New  England  ever  did  come  in  competition  with  it. 
At  11  I  reached  Huse's  in  Greenland,  &  there  dined  with  my 
friend  Capt.  Gibaut,  &  then  we  departed  for  Exeter.  It  was  a 
more  pleasing  town  than  I  expected  to  find.  It  had  a  gentle  slope 
to  the  water  of  the  basin  which  communicates  with  Exeter.  The 
spire  &  lands  of  Newmarket  enriched  the  view,  &  the  soil  was  not 
contemptible,  or  the  houses  neglected.  It  was  incorporated  in 
1693  &  has  had  three  ministers.  The  present,  a  disciple  of  Mr. 
Murray,  has  been  very  active  to  assist  in  the  great  work  at  New- 
bury, &  has  encouraged  &  promoted  it  in  his  own  parish.  The 
population  diminished  from  1775  to  1790,  one  fourth  part  by  emi- 
gration. It  pays  a  third  more  taxes  than  Greenland,  being  a  much 
larger  tract  of  country.  From  Stratham  we  passed  to  Exeter  over 
a  small  bridge  at  the  head  waters  &  near  the  mill  seats,  just  south 
of  the  Town.  Having  reached  Hutchin's  Tavern,  my  first  wish 
was  to  see  the  Town  &  Public  Buildings.     The  new  Church  is  the 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  891 

most  elegant  in  the  state.  And  as  this  town  is  the  place  of  the 
Oovernour's  residence  it  becomes  the  present  seat  of  government. 
The  Church  has  an  elevated  situation,  in  regard  to  the  navigable 
waters,  standing  on  the  great  road  &  upper  street.  It  has  a  pedi- 
ment in  front  well  supported,  &  upon  tlie  Tower  two  Lanterns  with 
as  good  effect  as  this  kind  of  architecture  admits.  There  is  a 
flight  of  stone  steps  to  the  entrance  in  front  &  the  building  within 
is  arched  &  finished  well.  The  pulpit  stairs  pass  behind.  The 
front  of  the  galleries  is  the  best  finished  work  I  ever  saw,  &  with 
admirable  effect.  The  pews  are  all  long,  entirely  unornamented,  & 
not  even  painted.  I  am  sorry  to  see  any  of  them  touching  the 
walls  of  the  house.  The  isles  ought  to  be  through  &  round  such  a 
house.  It  is  said  that  Dr.  Morse  intended  to  have  this  house,  as 
New  Hampshire  is  better  for  his  Lordly  temper  &  that  he  encour- 
aged the  Governour  to  write  the  letter  to  Mr.  Rowland  recom- 
mending it  to  him  to  ask  a  dismission.  Good  Dr.  Macclintock 
expressed  a  due  resentment  of  such  ungenerous  conduct.  The 
difficulties  have  at  present  subsided  &  Mr.  Rowland,  tho'  not  a 
man  of  talents,  remains  in  his  charge.  Exeter  is  the  place  of  an 
Academy  which  is  undoubtedly  the  most  flourishing  in  New  Eng- 
land, &  perhaps  the  best  endowed.  Its  rivals  are  at  Andover  & 
Newbury.  Philip's  Academy  in  the  south  parish  of  Andover  has 
been  checked  by  the  rivalship  of  a  private  Academy  in  the  north 
parish.  It  begun  under  Mr.  Pearson,  now  Professor  at  Cambridge, 
&  flourished  greatly  under  Mr.  Pemberton  who  has  now  opened  a 
private  academy  at  Bilerica.  After  his  time  it  sensibly  gave  place 
to  Exeter.  The  Dummer  Academy  at  Newbury  has  at  present 
scarcely  20  scholai-s  under  Mr.  Isaac  Smith.  This  gentleman  is  a 
good  scholar,  of  good  manners,  had  been  Tutor  at  Cambridge  &  or- 
dained in  England,  but  he  has  no  success  as  a  preceptor.  Exeter 
Academy  at  present  holds  the  highest  place  if  not  in  New  England 
certainly  it  admits  no  rival  in  New  Hampshire.  It  was  incorpora- 
ted in  1781,  &  called  Philip's  Exeter  Academy.  Its  funds  were 
valued  as  high  as  10,000  pounds  but  the  income  is  not  equal  to  the 
interest  of  that  sum,  because  the  lands  are  not  all  productive. 
Thoughts  have  been  entertained  of  converting  it  into  a  College,  but 
as  these  Institutions  are  already  too  numerous  &  very  insufficiently 
endowed,  the  plan  has  for  the  present  been  abandoned.  Mr.  W. 
Woodbridge  was  the  first  preceptor,  but  his  successor  Mr.  Abbot 
still  holds  with  great  reputation  the  office.  It  has  at  present  above 
60  students.  More  than  half  the  Students  from  1787  to  1790  be- 
longed to  Exeter  according  to  Dr.  Belnap's  account.  The  Building 
is  spacious,  upon  an  open  plain,  not  far  from  the  Meeting  House. 
It  has  a  large  open  yard  &  a  large  flight  of  steps,  the  western  end 
is  the  school  room.  The  stairs  ascend  between  the  Philosophy  & 
the  writing  School  in  the  eastern  end  &  above  is  a  large  room  for 
the  Exhibitions.     There  is  a  good  apparatus  for  Philosophical  ex- 


392  DIABY  OF  [Sept. 

perimental  lectures  &  the  Library  will  probably  increase  with  use- 
ful Books.  The  number  amounts  already  to  several  hundred,  but 
they  were  not  selected  for  the  School.  There  are  two  Assistants. 
One  of  them  is  a  son  of  Revd.  Buckminster  of  Portsmouth,  who 
graduated  lately  at  Cambridge.  I  saw  at  the  public  house  Mr. 
Hancock  of  Boston  who  had  come  to  Exeter  as  a  Miniature  painter. 
And  the  young  masters  were  in  the  same  house  at  a  Dancing 
School  under  Mr.  Turner  of  the  Boston  family  so  well  known  in 
that  employment.  Exeter  was  incorporated  among  our  first  towns, 
five  years  after  Portsmouth  in  1638.  Its  Church  was  at  first  under 
Wheelright,  but  D.  Rogers  introduced  into  it  in  the  new  light  times, 
religious  diversions  &  founded  a  Church  in  1748  of  which  he  re- 
mained pastor  37  years  &  died  1785,  set.  79.  This  Fanatic  had 
great  zeal  but  inferiour  talents,  &  was  little  esteemed  by  the  Cler- 
gy. The  House  is  now  standing  which  was  built  for  him  &  Itiner- 
ants use  it  as  they  pass.  A  person  preached  in  it  last  Sunday 
known  by  the  nickname  Aunt  Sara.  The  square  tower  on  one  end, 
with  a  steeple  upon  the  flat  of  it  exactly  resembles  the  tower  & 
steeple  of  the  former  Brattle  street  Church  in  Boston.  I  personal- 
ly knew  Mr.  Rogers.  He  was  a  Candidate  at  the  new  North  Meet- 
ing &  the  society  were  blessed  in  the  event,  as  they  had  the  cele- 
brated &  esteemed  Dr.  Eliot  in  his  room.  Dr.  Eliot  was  indeed 
one  of  our  best  preachers  &  Daniel  Rogers  one  of  the  weakest.  I 
observed  a  Chandelier  in  this  old  building  which  is  a  rare  thing  in 
our  Churches.  The  Town  School  House  stands  on  the  side  of  the 
Academy  Square  between  the  new  Meeting  house  &  the  Academy 
in  a  cross  street.  It  is  a  plain  building  with  a  small  part  of  the  at- 
tention usually  bestowed  upon  such  buildings  in  the  Country,  & 
seems  to  preach,  while  the  Academy  towers  over  it,  the  doctrine  so 
much  believed  that  Academies  distroy  Town  Schools.  The  Court 
is  a  small  but  neat  Building  of  two  Stories  not  far  from  the  mill 
seats  &  the  Bridge.  It  suffers  from  a  narrow  pediment  which  does 
not  afford  a  proper  piazza,  which  might  well  fill  the  front.  In 
passing  to  the  River,  I  observed  that  there  was  no  Vessel  in  it. 
They  were  repairing  the  wharves  or  rather  filling  up  two  breast 
works.  Only  three  wharves  deserved  the  name  &  none  of  them  had 
double  births  for  Vessels.  There  are  three  streets  or  ways  includ- 
ing the  passage  near  the  shores,  below  the  Academy  square,  &  the 
open  or  great  street  above.  Several  cross  streets  open  the  commu- 
nication between  them.  The  best  Houses  were  not  together,  & 
there  were  no  splendid  buildings.  At  the  Ship  yard,  I  found  two 
Vessels  on  the  stocks  between  100  &  200  tons.  They  were  in  the 
old  model.  On  the  opposite  bank  was  a  small  brick  building  for  a 
powder  house.  In  one  of  the  cross  streets  was  a  Duck  Factory  of 
two  stories,  not  clapboarded,  or  employed  at  present.  Below  on  the 
bank  were  several  negro  houses  with  many  signs  of  poverty.  Near 
the  Mill  seats  the  waters  fall  over  a  Slate  stone  which  has  not  far 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLBY,   D.   D.  393 

from  a  perpendicular  stratum  inclining  northerly.  The  mills  were 
old,  &  with  few  improvements.  There  were  3  grist  mills,  2  saw 
mills,  one  oil,  &  one  fulling  mill.  There  is  a  gentle  rise  to  the 
plain,  but  they  have  brought  water  into  Town  by  an  aqueduct  from 
one  mile's  distance.  Near  the  Church  the  grave  stones  &  monu- 
ments are  laid  flat  upon  the  graves,  which  I  had  never  before  seen. 
At  first  I  supposed  that  it  was  done  to  make  the  passage  more 
open  to  the  Church  which  is  partly  built  upon  the  burying  ground, 
but  I  observed  in  the  new  ground  that  several  slabs  of  white  stone 
were  lain  upon  the  graves  in  the  same  manner,  tho'  some  grave 
stones  were  erect.  In  the  first  way,  they  were  very  liable  to  be 
removed.  Kanlet's  printing  ofiice  was  in  the  lower  street  below  the 
academy.  Much  music  printed  by  types  has  been  spread  in  New 
England  from  Ranlet's  press.  At  the  Inn  we  had  every  attention, 
but  as  the  Supreme  Court  were  to  open  on  the  next  day,  the  house 
began  to  be  filled  with  Company.  There  was  another  public  house 
near  the  Bridge,  but  Hutchins  had  ensured  the  preference. 

15.  In  the  morning  we  left  Exeter  upon  the  route  to  Kingston. 
We  were  several  miles  in  the  Township,  &  found  it  necessary  to 
ascend  several  hills  over  which  the  roads  were  rough.  The  country 
became  more  pleasent  as  we  approached  Kingston  meeting  house 
which  was  upon  a  plain  of  one  mile  in  extent  having  on  the  right 
as  we  passed  a  very  extensive  pond,  which  probably  contained  over 
200  acres.  The  meeting  house  on  the  plain  had  a  bell  &  steeple. 
We  then  entered  Plaistow,  &  in  the  second  house  we  found  a  Tavern 
in  good  order  kept  by  Mr.  Sawyer  at  the  sign  of  the  white  ball.  In 
going  this  road  we  were  puzzled  by  the  guide  posts  directing  to  the 
left  to  Sweat's  ferry,  without  any  notice  of  the  great  road.  King- 
ston is  an  old  town  having  been  incorporated  as  early  as  1694,  but 
Plaistow  was  joined  to  Haverhill  as  lately  as  1749  &  the  Meeting 
House  stands  upon  the  Massachusetts  line.  Their  minister  Mr. 
Giles  Merrill,  who  had  been  with  them  36  years,  died  lately  &  they 
are  now  vacant.  From  Plaistow  Meeting  house  we  had  only  three 
miles  to  reach  Haverhill  Town  &  were  3  miles  from  Sawyer's 
Tavern.  The  appearance  of  Haverhill  in  this  route  was  not  very 
promising  &  in  season  for  dinner  we  reached  Haverhill  town  & 
dined  at  Harrod's.  This  man  was  my  neighbour  at  Boston,  &  he 
has  a  fine  family  of  daughters  whose  only  fault  is  in  their  education 
for  a  life  which  puts  them  at  variance  with  the  plan  of  industry  & 
domestic  usefulness.  In  Haverhill  there  are  some  late  changes, 
but  not  a  great  appearance  of  increasing  prosperity.  At  the  corner 
of  the  wide  street,  which  leads  to  the  Meeting  House  on  the  left  as 
you  ascend,  is  a  new  &  spatious  brick  store  of  three  stories,  of  Avhich 
Mr.  Carlton  is  a  proprietor.  The  Baptist  meeting  house  has  assumed 
a  new  form,  being  repaired  thoroughly  on  the  outside  &  having  a 
tower  &  turret  &  Bell.  The  Bell  was  the  gift  of  the  late  Mr.  White 
who  deceased  this  year.     In  the  ship  yard,  two  vessels  were  on  the 


394  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

stocks,  between  100  &  200  tons  burden,  &  one  had  lately  been 
launched  &  sent  down  the  river.  There  was  no  Vessel  lying  before 
the  Town.  I  saw  men  working  nails  by  hand.  The  plates 
were  heated  &  cut  by  shears  &  then  by  hand  put  into  a  machine 
which  held  them  till  they  were  headed  by  the  stroke  of  a  hammer. 

16.  After  breakfast  we  left  Haverhill  for  Salem,  the  distance 
being  22  miles  but  the  guide  posts  very  improperly  divide  the 
distance.  A  new  Tavern  has  been  opened  on  the  road  from  An- 
dover  in  Boxford,  &  Dr.  Cleaveland  in  Topsfield  has  converted  the 
mansion  house  of  Porter  into  a  very  convenient  tavern,  below  the 
meeting  house  in  Topsfield.  The  approach  to  the  Ipswich  river  is 
much  improved,  &  the  ascent  of  Topsfield  Hill  beyond  it,  going  to 
Salem,  is  much  more  easy  than  formerly.  We  pursued  our  course 
&  reached  Salem  at  noon.  The  whole  road  from  Haverhill  to  Salem 
appeared  as  good  as  it  could  be  made  &  no  obstructions  did  remain 
which  art  could  remove.  I  found  upon  my  return  that  Dr.  Mac- 
cliutock  left  Salem  on  Sunday  evening  for  Beverly  &  was  upon  his 
return  homewards  on  Monday.  In  the  afternoon  I  received  the 
members  of  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter  at  my  house  &  was  assured 
that  they  had  appointed  me  their  Chaplain  &  had  carried  on  a 
Proxy  requiring  me  to  officiate  on  that  occasion. 

17.  Mr.  W.  Gray  our  principal  merchant,  upon  experiment  has 
bought  the  Rope  walk  near  the  New  Burying  ground  in  Browne 
street,  &  hired  the  north  rope  walk  upon  Pleasant  street  below  the 
Common,  &  is  driving  the  Cordage  business.  He  has  raised  the 
price  of  labour  in  the  employment  with  great  alarm  to  those  of  less 
stock  in  the  same  business.  There  are  various  conjectures  about 
the  success  of  his  plans.  The  Baptist  Meeting  House  in  Beverly 
is  raised,  not  far  above  the  first  Congregational  meeting  house. 
This  renders  it  a  critical  state  of  affairs  at  which  Mr.  Mackeen  has 
his  invitation  to  Bowdoin  College. 

20.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joseph  Trask  &  wife,  d.  of  their  only 
child.  John  Collins  &  wife,  for  her  dangerously  sick.  Gamaliel 
Hodges  &  wife,  d.  of  their  eldest  daughter.  Nathaniel  Kinsman, 
d.  of  their  child,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Sarah  Knap,  herself  & 
child  sick.  Husband  absent  at  Sea. 

25.  Was  called  to  attend  a  funeral  below  Ashe  Street  upon  the 
Bank  of  the  river,  in  Gen.  Abbot's  Buildings  where  his  potash  works 
lately  stood.  There  has  been  considerable  mortality  in  the  square 
in  which  this  place  is.  Two  persons  were  buried  this  afternoon 
who  lived  not  far  from  each  other. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Pierce  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child. 
Jeremiah  Abbot  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child.  Elizabeth  Donaldson, 
delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  friends  at  Sea. 

28.  A  Mr.  Hunt  has  appeared  to  pay  his  addresses  in  the  family 
of  Richardson.  I  am  not  much  prepossessed  when  the  first  tempta- 
tion is  from  duty.     Mr.  Hunt  comes  from  Charleston  &  tells  me 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLET,    D.    D.  395 

that  the  Academy  is  now  shut  &  much  neglected.  That  my  class- 
mate Crosby  is  still  in  the  Post  office  &  speaks  highly  of  the  moral 
character  of  Mr.  West  of  the  Law,  who  has  a  seat  at  Charleston. 

29.  Mrs.  Collins*  who  died  this  morning  was  a  most  worthy 
woman.  Few  with  such  small  means  could  educate  so  large  a 
family  &  in  so  good  reputation.  Few  could  remember  so  many 
blessings,  when  the  world  might  think  they  had  few,  &  support 
severe  duty  without  complaint.  Few  could  have  so  much  religion 
in  actions,  with  so  little  superstition  &  so  little  instruction.  Few 
can  die  so  happily. 

October  1  [1801].  Went  to  Newburyport  to  attend  at  the 
dedication  of  the  New  Meeting  House  for  the  First  Church  in  that 
Town.  The  Consecration  Music  was  composed  by  Holyoke.  The 
Organ  played  by  Von  Hagen,  There  were  several  flutes,  violins  & 
Hautboys.  A  very  large  band  of  singers  of  both  sexes  &  the  per- 
formances excellent.  Mr.  Appleton  delivered  the  prayer,  &  Mr. 
Andrews  delivered  a  Sermon  adapted  to  the  occasion.  There  was 
an  excellent  dinner  for  the  Clergy  &  a  Concert  in  the  afternoon. 
The  house  was  crowded.  I  spent  the  evening  with  Revd.  Cary  & 
lodged  at  his  House. 

2.     Breakfasted  at  the  Bishop's  &  he  accompanied  me  to  display 
his  new  Church.     It  has  great  simplicity  &  the  same  expences  could 
not  have  been  more  economically  or  advantageously  displayed.    On 
the  front  Gallery  there  is  a  tribute  of  respect  to  Timothy  Dexter 
for  a  donation  of  333  1/3  D.     Over  the  altar  &  above  the  bread  & 
Commandments,  is  a  spread  eagle  holding  the  Bible  &  the  Common 
Prayer.     The  Bible  hangs  on  his  Breast,  &  the  Liturgy  is  held  in 
his  talons.     It  is  shut  &  the  Bible  is  open,  which  with  some  might 
be  an  instruction,  that  it  ought  to  be  shut,  wherever  the  Bible  is 
openor  known.     The  pannels  of  the  Altar,  which  contain  the  Creed, 
&c.,  are  rather  too  wide  for  their  length.     But  as  a  whole  it  is 
beautiful.     A  small  cupola  contains  the  Bell  &  caps  the  Tower  but 
it  is  rather  too  large  for  a  good  effect.     In  Cary's  new  house,  I 
should  have  preferred  the  front  of  Exeter  gallery  to  their  own  with 
all  its  ornaments.     But  the  effects  from  the  paintings  are  incal- 
culable.    The  Walls  as  high  as  the  Arch  are  covered  with  paper  & 
painted  blue.     The  pews,  a  faint  green  with  caps  of  orange  colour. 
The  Arches   are  pure  white  as  are  the  paintings  of  the  gallery  & 
House  &  pulpit.     The  part  below  the  pulpit  contrary  to  my  wishes 
is  inclosed.     The  house  cannot  display  such  a  front  as  the  Exeter 
&  the  Steeple  is  not  yet  finished.     Returned  this  afternoon  to  Salem. 
3.     The  mortality  great  among  Children,  3  &  4  of  a  day.     It  has 
been  chiefly  in  the  center  of  the  Town  but  it  now  begins  to  spread. 
It  is  chiefly  by  the  Dysentery.     Many  are  now  sick.     The  number 
of  600  has  been  given  as  under  the  hands  of  the  Physicians  at  the 
same  time  tho'  not  all  of  them  dangerous. 

•Mrs.  Hannah  (Porter),  wife  of  John  Collins. 


396  DIABY  OP  [Oct. 

4.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Collins  with  his  Children,  d.  of  their 
Mother.  Joseph  Miller,  d.  of  his  wife  &  youngest  child.  Robert 
Bartlett  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child,  p.  for  Sons  &  Brother  absent. 
Luke  Brooks  &  wife,  d.  of  her  brother  N.  Harthorne  at  Havanna. 
John  Berry,  wife  &  his  mother,  d.  of  his  youngest  child  &  only 
daughter.  John  Lewis  &  wife,  for  her  dang,  sick  &  for  a  son  sick 
&  a  son  at  sea.  Rachel  Meekin,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  at  Sea. 
John  Peters  &  wife,  her  delivery.  Benja.  Archer  &  wife,  her 
delivery,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  At  the  dedication  in  Newbury- 
port  were  present  the  Ministers  of  every  denomination.  Bp.  Bass 
asked  a  blessing  at  the  entertainment  provided  for  the  Clergy  &  Mr. 
Spring  returned  Thanks.  Milton  &  Bodily  were  at  the  Board  with 
the  Clergy  of  the  vicinity.  Leave  was  taken  of  the  old  Meeting  in 
Sept.  27,  last  Sunday,  &  immediately  after  they  began  to  take  it 
down.  The  zeal  abated.  Mr.  Crouch,  a  Carpenter  who  has  had  great 
success  as  a  lay  exhortor,  has  sold  his  tools  &  is  now  at  Dummer 
Academy  to  get,  as  he  calls  it,  "  human  learning."  His  behaviour 
there  is  quiet  &  quite  inoffensive.  The  new  house  at  By  fie  Id 
Parish,  Newbury,  is  now  unoccupied.  The  zeal  which  built  it 
frustrated  its  own  design  by  the  pretence  of  rational  doctrine  con- 
nected with  cheap  preaching.  The  party  lost  its  power  by  employ- 
ing such  as  were  unworthy  of  favour. 

5.  For  the  first  time  that  I  recollect  I  attended  four  funerals  in 
one  afternoon.  Three  were  of  children  &  one  a  married  woman. 
It  begins  to  be  an  alarming  state  of  sickness  in  our  families  & 
many  are  now  sick,  tho'  chiefly  children,  &  principally  infants. 
The  complaints  began  in  the  middle  of  the  Town  &  now  are  in 
every  part.  Among  children  the  disease  began  with  a  cough  which 
would  continue  many  weeks  before  the  Dysentery  appeared.  Those 
which  I  have  buried  had  not  the  dysentery  in  a  severe  degree,  but 
seemed  rather  to  have  died  of  a  high  internal  fever,  &  I  suspect  in 
no  instances  under  my  own  observation  has  the  true  dysentery  ap- 
peared. But  the  Dysentery  is  the  name  under  which  the  alarm  is 
given.  One  of  the  Physicians  has  insinuated  his  apprehensions  of 
a  real  bilious  fever. 

6.  There  was  before  the  Lodge,  the  Circular  Letter  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  respecting  the  means  of  enriching  that  Body.  .  They 
have  scarcely  surmounted  the  difficulty  of  their  establishment,  be- 
fore they  have  engaged  in  the  speculating  character  of  our  Times. 
There  are  various  articles  but  they  all  express  the  same  thing. 
What  shall  enrich  the  Grand  Lodge !  As  that  Body  never  was 
more  destitute  of  Talents  than  at  this  time,  implicit  confidence 
may  not  be  requisite  in  its  deliberations.  It  proposes  a  new 
Diploma  but  I  cannot  consent  that  it  should  be  exclusive.  I  see 
no  necessity  that  all  the  profits  should  pass  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  or 
that  other  Certificates  should  not  be  admitted  with  it  &  paid  for. 
The  contempt  cast  upon  the  present  certificates  as  they  are  not  in- 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  397 

feriour  to  the  private  Certificates  of  foreign  Lodges,  appears  to  be 
a  design  to  impose  their  plan  upon  the  Brethren.  The  Temple  of 
Benevolence  should  not  be  thought  of  while  the  money  is  not  in 
the  Treasury.  Aid  may  be  asked,  but  there  should  be  some  begin- 
ning to  encourage  private  Contributions.  The  present  form  is  safe 
to  the  State  &  is  not  oppressive  to  the  Lodges.  Should  the  wealth 
center  in  one  place,  there  will  be  alarm  &  corruption. 

7.  This  was  the  day  appointed  for  the  Ordination  in  Marble- 
head.  The  troubles  with  Hubbard  had  abated.  In  their  settle- 
ment, the  less  friendly  to  Hubbard  again  united  to  the  Rock 
meeting  party,  who  built  a  house  of  that  name  now  standing,  tho' 
disused,  &  refused  to  Methodists  &  Baptists,  &  they  took  affairs 
much  their  own  hands.  To  prevent  their  violent  proceedings, 
which  some  had  threatened,  the  most  prudent  acquiesced  in  the 
regular  choice  of  the  gentlemen  this  day  ordained.  Tho'  anti-nup- 
tial indulgences  had  forced  hira  into  marriage,  yet  the  prevailing 
sense  of  his  Father  &  Brother's  piety  overcame  all  opposition  & 
his  very  humble  confession  was  admitted.  To  his  friends  it  was 
at  length  agreed  that  the  Salem  Association  should  be  united  in 
Council  &  19  Churches  were  invited.  In  the  Salem  Association  it 
was  thought  that  the  excentric  conduct  of  the  minister  of  the  2d 
Church  in  Marblehead  entirely  excluded  him  from  any  notice  in  the 
solemnites,  &  accordingly  no  part  was  assigned  to  him,  tho'  incon- 
sistently he  was  invited  to  return  thanks  at  Table.  Mr.  Forbes 
was  chosen  moderator,  &  Mr.  McKeen  of  Beverly,  Scribe.  Dr. 
Tappan  of  Cambridge,  was  appointed  to  make  the  first  prayer,  Dr. 
Dana  of  Ipswich,  the  Father,  preached.  Mr.  Frisbee  of  Ipswich, 
made  the  ordaining  prayer,  &  Mr.  Forbes  of  Gloucester  gave  the 
Charge.  Dr.  Barnard  of  Salem,  gave  the  hand  of  fellowship  & 
Mr.  Dana  of  Newbury  port,  made  the  concluding  prayer.  There 
was  music  at  the  beginning  &  end  of  the  public  Services.  There 
were  no  distinguishing  performances  on  the  occasion.  The  public 
exercises  continued  for  three  hours.  After  the  solemnities  the 
Clergy,  Strangers  of  public  education,  &c.  were  invited  to  dine 
with  the  Council  &  above  70  were  seated  at  convenient  tables  in 
the  Hall  of  the  Masons  &  an  elegant  dinner  was  provided.  The 
Town  was  crowded  on  the  occasion  with  persons  of  every  condition, 
&  the  hospitality  which  displayed  itself  on  the  occasion  was  truly 
characteristic.  The  Hall  was  soon  cleared  after  dinner.  The 
whole  road  between  Salem  &  Marblehead  resembled  much  the  road 
between  Boston  &  Cambridge  on  Commencement  Day.  The  Fort 
below  the  town  was  visited  by  a  great  multitude  of  people.  It  was 
a  rich  enjoyment  to  see  happiness  so  generally  diffused.  Groups 
of  every  kind  were  seen  in  innocent  mirth.  The  Fishermen  at 
their  more  athletic  games.  The  Free  Negroes  at  their  dances,  & 
thousands  [«ic]  of  children  poured  into  the  streets.  The  windows 
filled  with  Spectators  who  had   no  other  sight  than  the  passing 


398  DIARY  OP  [Oct. 

multitude  in  which  they  took  a  place  in  turn.  All  busy,  all 
pleased,  but  I  saw  no  man  who  seemed  to  be  making  money  at  the 
expense  of  his  neighbours.  All  were  giving  &  receiving  freely.  I 
went  into  the  farms  &  took  tea  with  Friend  Northey  &  returned. 

9.  A  Mr.  Brown  &  wife  have  opened  a  School  in  the  Barton 
House  opposite  St.  Peter's  street,  in  Essex  Street.  This  Brown  has 
been  a  dissenting  Clergyman  of  various  Communions.  He  preached 
in  England,  &  at  Exeter,  N.  H.  &  has  lately  returned  from  Nova 
Scotia.  The  Essex  Bridge  is  again  rented  to  Mr.  Leach.  He  has. 
had  it  for  several  years.  The  Seals  seen  in  Bass  river  just  below 
Essex  Bridge. 

10.  There  is  a  Subscription  abroad  for  beautifying  the  Common. 
As  it  is  not  immediately  closed,  the  presumption  is  that  this  subject^ 
considered  for  generations,  is  not  warmly  encouraged,  tho'  it  may 
be  finally  successful. 

11.  Sunday.  Notes.  Emmons  Smith  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Father, 
pr.  Brother  at  Sea.  Mary  Smith  &  sisters,  d.  of  their  Father,  pr. 
Brother  at  Sea.  Wid.  Sarah  Shehane,  d.  of  her  G.  child,  pr,  for 
Sons  at  Sea.  Daniel  Shehane  &  wife,  d.  of  Child,  pr.  for  him  sick,, 
pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  John  Lewis,  d.  of  his  wife,  one  child  sick. 
William  Hampson  &  wife,  d.  of  child,  pr.  for  Brother-in-law  at  Sea. 
Joseph  Webb  &  wife,  d .  of  their  Son,  pr.  for  a  Brother  at  Sea. 
Elizabeth  Archer  &  Mother,  d.  of  two  children,  pr.  for  Husband 
absent.  Joseph  Walden  &  wife,  d.  of  their  only  daughter.. 
Joshua  French  &  wife,  d.  of  eldest  Son  abroad,  pr.  for  youngest 
child  sick.  At  the  ordination  at  Marblehead,  Mr.  Story  of  the  Sec- 
ond Church  was  passed  by  on  account  of  his  irregularities.  Story 
was  a  child  of  our  New  Brick  Church  in  Boston  &  educated  at 
Trenton  College.  When  a  Candidate  it  was  proposed  to  our  Dr. 
Pemberton  to  settle  him  as  Colleague  but  the  Dr.'s  reply  was  *•'  I 
will  never  consent  to  settle  a  man  in  the  ministry  in  Boston  whom 
I  do  not  judge  a  man  of  sense."  He,  soon  after  the  settlement,  be- 
gan to  preach  in  the  Deacon  seat,  &  at  length  to  expose  himself  to 
shame.  He  has  acquired  considerable  property  by  speculation. 
He  is  much  disesteemed.  He  published  a  Sermon  as  his  own 
which  had  just  before  been  preached  &  printed  at  New  York.  Dr. 
Dwight,  President  of  Yale  College,  in  his  Tour  eastward,  preached 
at  Haverhill  &  at  Cambridge.  We  hear  of  no  political  Conver- 
sions. He  is  not  supposed  to  possess  the  Talents  of  Dr.  Smith  of 
Trenton,  in  the  pulpit.  It  is  hoped  by  his  friends  that  his  "  Con- 
quest of  Canaan  "  will  awaken  the  praises  of  posterity. 

13.  Briggs,  in  South  Fields,  launched  a  Schooner  this  day.  His- 
situation  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  gives  him  a  ready  descent 
so  that  he  is  always  successful. 

17.  Col.  Derby's  Ship  arrived  from  Arabia,  having  been  at  Moka, 
&c.  Saw  at  Dr.  Little's,  the  Son  of  our  late  Secretary  Pickering, who- 
has  brought  with  him  a  valuable  classical  library  from  Europe.     As- 


1801]  WILLIAJSI   BENTI^y,   D.  D.  399 

Classical  Libraries  are  rare,  &  a  tolerable  one  is  not  to  be  found  in 
America,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that  some  part  of  the  increasing  wealth 
of  OUT  Country  should  be  appropriated  to  this  ^important  purpose. 
It  is  a  shame  that  the  Cambridge  Library  should  be  deficient  and 
that  since  the  revolution  none  of  the  best  editions  have  been  pro- 
vided for  it.  It  is  not  more  from  want  of  funds  than  want  of 
taste. 

18.  Sunday.  Notes.  Joshua  French  &  wife,  d.  of  their  young- 
est child.  Susannah  Cabann,  d.  of  her  only  child,  pr.  for  husband 
&  friends  at  Sea,  with  her  grandmother.  Thomas  Rue  &  wife,  d. 
of  their  g.  child,  pr.  for  their  Sons  at  Sea.  Mary  Peele,  d.  of  their 
youngest  child,  pr.  for  husband  &  brethren  at  sea.  Joseph  Browne 
&  wife,  d.  of  their  youngest  child.  William  Browne  &  wife,  d.  of 
their  g.  child,  pr.  for  sons  &  a  g.  son  at  Sea.  Anna  Masury,  d.  of 
her  youngest  child,  pr.  for  husband  &  brothers  at  Sea.  Richard 
Collins  &  Wife  &  daughter,  d.  of  their  only  son  abroad,  &  pr.  for 
a  daughter  absent.     Mary  Gardner,  d.  of  her  Child. 

19.  Was  the  day  for  the  jMilitary  Review  of  the  Regiment  in 
this  Town.  The  Troops  were  upon  the  Common  at  ten  in  the 
morning  &  were  reviewed  at  noon.  The  day  was  the  coldest  we 
had  had  for  the  season  &  the  wind  blustering,  so  as  to  render  the 
Common  uncomfortable.  On  the  right  formed  the  Cadets  under 
Col.  Lawrence,  &  then  the  two  Artillery  Companies  of  Salem  & 
Danvers  under  Major  Hovey.  The  Eight  Companies  of  the  Reg- 
iment followed  the  grades  of  their  officers.  Never  did  the  Regi- 
ment appear  so  nearly  uniform,  or  so  generally  attentive,  silent  and 
well  disposed.  Major  General  Ropes,  with  his  suite,  &  Brigadier 
Davis  of  Gloucester,  reviewed  the  Troops  &  then  the  Officers  were 
escorted  by  the  Cadets  to  the  Sun  Tavern  at  which  an  elegant 
dinner  was  provided  in  rich  abundance.  After  three  the  Company 
retired,  &  the  troops  were  formed  for  Military  exercise.  In  this 
little  can  be  commended.  They  did  not  perform  so  well  as  at  the 
last  time.  Their  Evolutions  were  not  exact,  &  their  firings  were 
scattering.  The  day  ended  with  great  satisfaction  to  all  who  ven- 
tured upon  the  Common.  Col.  Derby  &  his  Majors,  Pickman  & 
Prescot,  conducted  with  great  propriety  but  not  with  the  best  Mil- 
itary address. 

24.  I  spent  this  day  in  a  ramble  with  Miss  Mary  Collins  &  H. 
E.*  to  the  farms.  We  were  received  at  Capt.  John  Gardner's  on 
the  hill  in  Danvers  &  at  the  house  built  by  Bradish,  in  the  primi- 
tive style.  Every  thing  was  neat.  The  dishes  of  fruit  excell  ent. 
The  Current  wine  of  the  farm  as  rich  as  art  could  make  it,  &  to 
remind  of  his  former  life,  a  bottle  of  his  sherry  of  15  years'  age 
graced  the  table  with  its  humble  form,  but  ample  vouchers  for  its 
long  abode.  From  Mr.  Gardener's  we  passed  to  Col.  Derby's  farm. 
He  has  added  nothing  to  what  his  father  had  done.     Autumn  ap- 

•Harriet  Elkina? 


400  DIARY  OP  [Oct. 

peared  everywhere  but  in  the  hot  house,  where  we  saw  Oranges,  & 
Lemons  &  the  Lemons  in  high  perfection.     Mr.  Heusler  of  Alsace, 
bred  at  Haarlem,  the  gardner,  lavished  every  attention  upon  us. 
We  passed  through  the  new  road,  which  the  workmen  are  now  em- 
ployed to  finish  through  the  farm  &  confess  the  almost  complete 
state  of  this  most  beautiful  avenue.     Through  the  great  pasture  we 
passed   to  the   house  erected  by    Mr.   West,  &   executed   in   the 
taste   &  under   the  direction   of   his   wife,   the   eldest    daughter 
of  the  late  E.  H.  Derby.     Its  front  eastward  commands  a  most  ex- 
tensive prospect.     The  house  in  front  is  of  two  stories  with  four 
equal  rooms.     The  apartments  are  finished  in  as  good  order  as  any 
I  have  ever  seen.     The  furniture  was  rich  but  never  violated  the 
chastity  of  correct  taste.     The  family  of  Esqr.  Collins  joined  us  to 
enjoy  the  rich  beauties  which  multiplied  around  us.     The  pictures 
were  excellent.     The  paper  &  linen  hangings  were  superb.     The 
movable  furniture,  rich,  uniform,  but  simple.     The  Mirrors  were 
large  &  gave  full  view  of  every  one  who  passed,  &  were  intended 
for  the  house  in  Town  but  were  exchanged  as  those  for  this  Seat 
were  too  large.     The  markee  Bed  was  preferred  to  the  full  bed  for 
its  simplicity.     It  was  surmounted  by  a  golden  eagle.     The  work 
of  the  room  was  finished  by  the  needle    of  Mrs.  West.     The  back 
part  of  the   house   combines  every  convenience  belonging  to  the 
farm  house  or  the  elegant  Country  seat.     We  could  not  enumerate 
the  beauties  we  saw.     All  we  could  not  see,  as  they  were  not  glar- 
ing, but  asked  our  search,  &  long  attention.     We  then  passed  & 
dined  at  Esqr.  Collins'  at  the  house  built  before  the  revolution  by 
Esqr.  Hooper  of  Marblehead.     Here  we  found  an  honest  &  very 
benevolent   man,  with  a  most  worthy  wife  &  a  lovely   family  of 
daughters.     Everything  published  economy,  affection,  order  &  en- 
joyment.    The  table  was  plain,  but  nothing  was  wanting.     Hospi- 
tality reigned  without  luxury,  &  confidence  gave  a  great  chearful- 
ness  to  the  conversation  in  which  all  readily  partook,     I  was  hap- 
py to  learn  that  the  Widow  of  my  worthy  friend  Taylor  had  been 
well  provided  for  in  a  comfortable  estate  he  has  left  her.     In  the 
afternoon  I  visited  the  Old  Spot  which  was  the  first  Choice  of  our 
old  Gov.  Endicott.     The  old  picture  grows  dimmer  by  the  smoak. 
The  old  dial  was  broken  &  the  pears  from  the  old  Tree  were  all 
rotten.     The  Descendants  of  the  old  Patriarch  in  Salem  encourage 
the  hope  of  the  rising  of  the  family,  &  they  laugh  &  say  they  hope 
to  mend  the  breed  by  the  blood  of  the  Putnams.  I  returned  &  took 
tea  at  Esqr.  Collins'  &  after  many  civilities  which  we  received  I 
accompanied  my  young  companions  homewards  on  foot  into  Salem. 
25.     Sunday.     Notes.     Moses  Townsend  &  wife,  d.  of  d.  Mary, 
pr.  for  missing  &  absent  friends.     John  Albree  &  wife,  d.  of  their 
youngest  child.     Benj.  Bray  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Sister  Deland,  pr.  for 
Brethren  at  Sea.     James  Browne  &  wife,  delivery,  pr.  for  Brethren 
at  Sea.     Bishop  Bass  was  this  day  at  Marblehead  upon  the  good 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  401 

old  errand  of  Confirmation.  We  have  not  heard  what  number  were 
thus  established  in  the  holy  faith. 

26.  Mr.  Gardner  furnished  me  at  his  farm  with  some  of  the 
good  Pear  called  JNEonsieur  John,  and  of  the  good  apple  called  Wil- 
ton. At  Col.  Derby's  Farm  I  obtained  from  Heusler  as  his  best, 
as  he  called  them,  The  Brown  Peru  pear,  The  Winter  Bon  Pretien, 
The  Squeeze  me  Madam,  The  Swan  Egg,  &  St.  Germaine. 

29.  Last  evening  died  at  Beverly,  Mr.  Thomas  Stephens,  one  of 
the  Representatives  of  the  Town  in  General  Assembly.  He  has 
left  a  young  family  &  was  esteemed.  His  Father  was  Treasurer  of 
the  first  Parish  when  I  first  preached  in  it  &  the  whole  family  ap- 
peared in  good  reputation.  In  every  family  the  topick  is  Master 
Turner's  Ball.  This  son  of  the  long  celebrated  teacher  of  the 
art  of  Dancing  has  married  a  d.  of  Dr.  Holyoke,  &  so  acquired  a 
permanent  authority  in  these  arrangements.  His  Ball,  given  by  his 
Scholars  at  the  close  of  their  term  at  Boston,  was  given  in  the 
Theatre  &  a  most  pompous  account  was  given  of  it.  He  has 
about  30  scholars  in  Salem  &  by  buying  &  selling  tickets 
a  large  company  is  to  be  raised  this  evening.  The  youth 
have  been  long  in  preparation  &  great  expectations  are  excited. 
The  great  attention  shews  that  the  subject  is  not  very  familiar 
to  us,  &  to  a  discerning  mind  may  mark  a  period  too  seri- 
ously observed  by  posterity.  The  Miniature  Theatre  had  more  en- 
couragement in  the  last  season  in  this  Town,  than  it  ever  before 
had.  Yet  whatever  may  be  our  fears,  the  Town  never  had  less 
open  vice  in  it  than  at  the  present  time.  But  education  certainly 
is  not  so  well  directed  towards  industry  as  formerly  &  many  can- 
not enjoy  the  bold  scenes  they  anticipate. 

30.  Last  night  died  Abigail  Mason.  By  her  Brother  she  pos- 
sessed an  handsome  interest,  but  she  was  a  very  uncleanly  crea- 
ture. 

November  1  [1801].  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Clearage  &  wife 
&  children,  d.  of  their  Son.     Mary  Foot,  d.  of  her  g.  son  Clearage. 

2.  Mr.  Weld  Gardner,  Merchant,  set.  56,  who  died  this  morning 
in  this  town,  was  son  of  the  late  Samuel  Gardner  Esqr.  deceased. 
We  are  told  that  in  consequence  of  a  will  of  George  Gardner, 
upon  the  decease  of  his  Brother  Weld,  the  following  Legacies,  con- 
tained in  his  will  made  in  1773,  are  to  be  paid.  To  the  Town 
of  Salem  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor,  £400.  To  Harvard  College 
for  the  benefit  of  poor  Scholars,  £1333.  To  the  Marine  Society 
for  the  benefit  of  superannuated  seamen,  £2000.  Mr.  Weld  Gard- 
ner died  a  Batchelor  &  has  long  been  a  paralytic. 

4.  This  evening  Capt.  Townsend  sailed  for  East  Indies  by  way 
of  Europe.  Never  has  the  subject  of  wills  been  a  more  serious 
cause  of  dispute  than  at  this  time.  Capt.  Thomas  Mason  died  & 
left  the  principal  part  of  his  estate  to  the  children  of  his  deceased 


402  DIARY  OP  [Nov. 

Brother  Jonathan,  particularly  Jonathan.  The  other  branches  en- 
deavored by  every  effort  to  destroy  the  will.  They  did  not  succeed, 
&  then  used  their  influence  with  the  sister  of  Thomas,  Abigail,  who 
has  lately  died,  &  been  partial  to  the  Peele  branch  of  the  family. 
The  other  party  now  threaten  to  put  that  will  aside  under  the  plea 
of  an  expression  which  may  be  made  to  imply  a  right  to  dispose  of 
it  after  possession,  &c.  The  will  of  Weld  Gardner  is  now  threat- 
ened as  his  will  is  made  in  favour  of  the  family  of  Thomas  Lee 
with  whom  he  lived,  to  the  detriment  of  his  nearest  kindred. 

5.  Not  the  bare  recollection  of  the  antient  festivity,  &  amuse- 
ments of  this  day.  I  could  not  notice  even  a  thought  that  it  was 
the  old  day  of  Pope  &  Devil.  Instead  of  Joy  it  was  a  fast  in  the 
Tabernacle  Church  on  account  of  the  religious  jealousies  which 
prevailed  among  their  superstitious.  When  will  mankind  be  con- 
sistent &  sober  in  their  thoughts  &  actions.  A  party  among  them 
threatens  to  build  a  new  meeting  house,  if  the  minister  be  dis- 
missed by  the  majority,  if  they  be  able.  Mr.  Spaulding  has  all 
the  confidence  of  zeal,  the  obstinacy  of  ignorance  &  the  repulsive 
force  of  ill  manners. 

7.  A  Ship,  coppered,  launched  at  Becket's  Ship  yard  for  Derby 
family.* 

8.  Sunday.  Note.  Patience  Nichols,  sick,  pr.  for  husband  at 
sea.  On  Thursday  the  Tabernacle  Congregation  had  a  fast.  Nothing 
of  consequence  has  transpired.  Honest  Deacon  Gould  says,  when 
I  work  I  use  the  sharpest  tools  I  can  find.  Mr.  Spaulding  differs 
from  his  neighbors,  as  he  prefers  the  dullest.  Well  said.  Deacon. 
It  is  the  prevailing  opinion  that  a  seperation  is  unavoidable. 

Last  week  for  the  first  time  I  ventured  to  christen  at  Mr.  Lam- 
bert's, the  children  of  Mr.  John  Rhust,  who  belongs  to  the  society 
of  Mr.  Hopkins.  As  no  personal  enmity  does  subsist  &  every  care 
was  taken  to  guard  against  any  unfriendly  construction  &  as  he 
had  come  into  the  house  of  a  parishioner,  I  hesitated,  but  did  not 
finally  refuse.  Mr.  Murray,  the  Universalist,  has  taken  another  ex- 
cursion for  his  health  into  the  Southern  states.  This  singular  man 
is  the  first  example  in  New  England  of  a  man  who  had  connected 
himself  with  a  religious  society,  who  has  taken  the  liberty  of  evan- 
gelizing in  our  great  Cities,  &  of  leaving  them  for  months  to  pro- 
vide for  themselves.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the  toleration  of  such 
practices  originates  in  indulgence  or  indifference.  It  is  to  be  no- 
ticed, because  by  such  examples  most  frequently  innovations  are 
made  in  the  received  practices  of  all  countries. 

9.  The  Town  met  this  day  upon  the  subject  of  the  Common. 
2000  d.  are  subscribed. 

10.  This  day  the  Supreme  Court  opened  in  this  town.  Judges 
Dana,  Sewall  &  Thacher  were  on  the  Bench  on  the  first  day.  I  did 
not  hear  the  Charge.     This  was  the  first  time  at  which  a  Solicitor 

•  Ship  Java. 


1801J  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  403 

General  attended  in  the  usual  duty  of  an  Attorney  General  with  the 
grand  jury.     Davis  acted. 

12.  This  day  the  ground  was  first  broken  on  the  Common  for 
levelling,  &  the  filling  of  the  northwest  pond  was  begun.  There 
is  a  great  disposition  to  remove  all  public  buildings  &  a  vote  fa- 
vourable to  the  design  has  been  obtained  in  a  thin  meeting.  I  see 
no  necessity  but  rather  admit  the  beauty  of  public  buildings  on 
open  Squares.  That  the  Common  was  appropriated  at  first  for  a 
training  field  is  as  good  an  objection  to  pleasure  walks  as  to  public 
buildings,  as  the  pleasure  walks  are  not  fitted  for  parades. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Ebed  Stoddard  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child, 
pr.  for  a  Son  &  friend  at  Sea.  Charles  Johnson,  d.  of  his  wife,  pr. 
for  her  brother  at  Sea.  Hannah  "Whitefoot  &  Sister,  d.  of  their 
Sister  Johnson,  pr.  for  Brother  at  Sea. 

16.  This  day  the  Agreable  News  of  the  signing  of  the  prelimin- 
ary articles  of 

PEACE 
between  Britain  &  France  reached  us  from  Boston.  The  evidence 
of  the  fact  was  ofiicial  &  yet  no  news  of  such  importance  could  be 
received  by  all  parties  with  greater  silence,  or  more  mixed  emotion. 
All  rejoiced  at  the  sound  of  peace,  &  all  recollected  the  great  com- 
mercial advantages  of  our  Country  in  the  late  war.  Passion  & 
Judgment  struggled  without  victory.  We  can  say  little  of  the 
terms  as  they  are  offered  only  upon  conjecture.  The  french  have 
undoubtedly  obtained  more  than  the  English  &  their  friends  expect- 
ed.    The  peace  leaves  France  a  powerful  republic. 

22.  Sunday.  Note.  Elizabeth  Fairfield  and  Children,  d.  of  her 
Sister  Patience  Nichols  &  d.  of  her  son  absent,  pr.  for  two  sons  at 
Sea.  On  18,  ordained  at  N.  Hampton,  N.  H.,  Jonathan  French, 
Jun',  son  of  Jonathan  French,  Minister  in  South  Andover.  The 
father  is  esteemed  as  a  good  man  &  had  been  Seargeant  at  Castle 
William  under  my  friend  Col.  Burbeck,  who  spoke  highly  of  his 
disposition.  He  has  as  much  of  the  influence  of  a  Clergyman,  such 
as  was  known  in  former  days,  as  any  man  in  New  England. 

23.  By  a  written  Invitation  from  my  Brother  Fowle,  who  was  to 
be  installed  Master  of  Mount  Lebanon  Lodge,  newly  constituted  & 
to  be  in  ample  form  invested,  I  went  for  Boston.  I  found  that  the 
Baptist  Ministers  were  to  be  invited  &  that  this  particular  circum- 
stance did  attend  this  Lodge,  that  its  members  were  principally 
from  the  members  of  the  Baptist  churches,  &  that  many  of  them 
had  a  full  persuasion  that  they  could  bring  masonry  to  themselves 
&  not  be  brought  to  masonry,  by  the  social  habits  it  so  readily  intro- 
duces. The  ministers  attended  &  at  table  solemnly  testified  in  say- 
ing grace,  to  the  devout  manner  of  all  the  ceremonies.  The  Hall, 
which  was  upon  the  third  &  fourth  stories  of  a  Brick  building  on 
the  W.  side  of  Market  Square,  was  superbly  decorated.  In  the  east 
was  a  rich  painting.     In  the  south  a  beautiful  representation  of  the 


404  DIARY   OF  [Nov. 

Urn  of  Washington,  &  in  the  west  a  Crescent  in  bronze  well  ex- 
ecuted. The  elevation  of  the  Officers  was  happy  &  the  disposition 
throughout  convenient.  An  elegant  glass  chandelier  illuminated 
well  the  arch  of  the  building.  The  Master  sat  in  an  arch  upon  col- 
umns decorated,  &  in  the  keystone  an  eye  motto,  He  seeth  in  secret. 
Tho'  no  stress  can  be  laid  upon  the  order  of  ceremonies,  yet  this  may 
serve  to  compare  with  future  ceremonies.  The  lodge  to  be  consti- 
tuted was  placed  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Master  &  the  Officers  in 
front  properly  cloathed.  In  the  East  were  the  Members  of  the  grand 
Lodge,  excepting  the  wardens  who  were  in  the  West.  The  Breth- 
ren were  on  the  sides,  &  the  music  was  disposed  of  in  the  area  be- 
fore the  wardens  upon  the  western  part  of  the  house.  There  was 
no  ceremony  upon  the  entrance  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  of  rising. 
Soon  after  the  Music  began.  There  was  an  Anthem,  &  a  prayer. 
The  g.  Master  then  made  the  necessary  enquiries  &  received  the 
answers.  The  Jewels  were  brought  to  him.  The  Master  was  in- 
vested &  took  the  usual  oaths  of  the  Constitution,  by  a  reply,  I  will. 
Then  the  wardens  invested  the  wardens,  the  Treasurer  &  Secretary, 
the  corresponding  officers,  &  then  the  Master  of  the  Lodge  invested 
&  charged  all  his  officers  which  had  not  been  invested  by  the  grand 
officers.  There  then  was  a  prayer,  kneeling  &  a  hymn,  standing. 
The  past  G.  Master  made  an  address,  &  the  whole  was  closed  with 
music  &  a  benediction.  We  were  then  conducted  in  procession  to  a 
Hall  in  Wing's  Lane  &  were  entertained  with  a  rich  &  elegant  sup- 
per and  at  ten  retired.  Many  little  ceremonies  were  omitted,  but 
the  whole  had  a  fine  effect. 

26.     We  had  a  very  pleasant  day  for  Thanksgiving.     The  air  was 
mild  &  the  Congregation  full  and  attentive.     Our  music  gallery  was 
full  &  the  Music,  tho'  not  extraordinary,  was  good.     I  said  all 
could  in  favour  of  an  enterprising  spirit,  as  it  has  been  the  abun 
dant  source  of  our  riches  &  prosperity. 

29.  Sunday.  Note.  Richard  Nichols  &  Children,  d.  of  his 
wife.  Died,  Revd.  Phineas  Adams,  last  week,  Pastor  of  3d  Paris 
in  Haverhill,  set.  60,  in  31  year  of  his  ministry.  He  married  a  Sis- 
ter of  the  wife  of  B.  Wads  worth,  minister  of  North  parish  in  Dan- 
vers.  At  Franklin,  Conn.,  Mr.  Jasper  Bentley,  aet.  38.  Mr.  Bent 
ley  was  descended  from  that  branch  of  our  family  which  settled  at 
Rhode  Island.  The  other  two  branches  settled  at  Boston  &  in  Virginia, 
His  parents  died  while  he  was  young  &  he  was  educated  by  an  Un- 
cle at  the  College  in  Providence.  He  was  never  in  good  health  or 
spirits,  but  of  a  good  disposition,  &  was  invited  to  take  the  Town 
School  in  South  Danvers.  From  that  School  he  removed  to  the 
School  kept  at  the  New  Mills,  or  head  of  the  tide  waters  on  the 
River  between  Danvers  &  Beverly.  He  had  not  great  success  as  a 
Schoolmaster,  but  was  much  esteemed  as  a  man.  He  went  into  the 
Pulpit,  but,  as  his  voice  was  feeble,  &  his  manner  not  popular,  he  was 
soon  discouraged.     He  preached  for  me  Oct.  30,  1796.     He  was  af- 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  405 

terwards  sick  at  the  Kevd.  Mr.  Huntington's  of  Topsfield,  at  whose 
house,  tho'  a  stranger,  he  was  received  with  great  humanity.  The 
Essex  Lodge  gave  30  Dollars  as  the  balance  of  his  accounts  with  this 
hospitable  minister  &  Mr.  Bentley  returned  to  Connecticut,  his  na- 
tive state.  He  made  repeated  efforts  at  School  keeping,  but  his 
health  was  lost  &  he  died  at  Franklin. 

December  1,  1801.  A  most  vilifying  paper  appeared  in  the  New- 
bury Port  Herald  attacking  Mr.  Tytler  because  he  had  intentions 
of  writing  a  Universal  Geography.  The  invective  discovered  a 
total  ignorance  of  the  man ,  whatever  it  might  conclude  about  his 
employers.  Some  tool  of  Morse  is  supposed  to  be  engaged  in  this 
ungenerous  employment. 

3.  The  vile  slanders  propogated  last  year  to  injure  a  school  mis- 
tress* in  this  Town,  have  been  echoed  from  other  parts  of  the  Con- 
tinent, and  the  writer  under  the  name  of  the  Hindu,  has  dared  to 
report  that  a  Teacher  in  Salem  instructed  her  female  pupils  in  the 
art  of  skaiting.  A  proper  notice  of  this  absolute  falsehood  is  taken 
in  the  Imp.  Eegister  of  this  day. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Elizabeth  Eeath,  d.  of  her  Son  at  Sea. 
Samuel  Carleton  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Br.  Reath  at  Sea.  George  John- 
son &  wife,  d.  of  her  Br.  Reath  at  Sea.  Lydia  Masury,  d.  of  her 
Sister  Cooper,  pr.  for  husband  long  absent.  Elizabeth  Sullivan,  d. 
of  her  sister  Cooper. 

10.  The  day  rainy  but  so  mild  that  our  Eire  Club  dined  at  the 
Sun  without  any  fire,  &  we  were  all  very  comfortable  without  it. 
This  morning  a  Marblehead  Schooner  running  in  struck  upon  a  rock, 
&  the  whole  crew  deserted  her.  At  daybreak  they  were  found  upon 
the  Haste,  &  the  Schooner  safe  ashore  in  Doliber's  Cove  upon  Scot's 
beach.     She  was  from  the  Mediterranean,  laden  with  wine  &  fruit. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Whittemore  &  wife  &  Brother  & 
Sister,  d.  of  their  Brother,  pr.  for  Br.  at  Sea.  Sarah  Knapp  &  her 
children,  d.  of  her  Husband.  Wid.  Mary  Knapp  &  her  children,  d. 
of  her  eldest  son  John,  pr.  for  sons  at  Sea.  Andrew  Ward  &  wife, 
her  delivery,  pr.  for  absent  friends.  Was  present  this  day  with 
;Mrs.  French  &  Mrs.  Ashby  when  they  expired,  both  of  them  victims 
of  their  imprudence. 

14.  There  has  been  a  late  attempt  to  gain  the  ordination 
of  a  Mr.  Hull  at  Amesbury,  brother  of  Mr.  Hull  of  Seabrook,  N.  H., 
next  town  to  Salisbury.  The  connection  Mr.  Hull  has  had  with 
the  Methodists  &  his  claims  of  the  validity  of  his  ordination  from 
them,  would  not  permit  the  Council  of  young  ministers  to  proceed 
to  his  installation  &  they  advised  to  a  larger  &  older  Council. 

17.  Died,  aged  72,  Capt.  John  Baton,  commonly  called  Batten, 
&  often  French  John  to  distinguish  him  from  another  John  Batten. 
This  honest  &  well  informed  man  came  young  to  America  from 
Rochelle.     He  had  all  the  ease  of  a  Frenchman  united  to  a  sedate 

•Mrs.  Rogers. 


406  DIARY  OF  [Dec. 

manner  that  left  a  good  impression  upon  all  who  knew  him.  Well 
educated  &  well  informed  he  still  so  far  forgot  his  interest  as  to 
connect  himself  with  a  widow  who  had  no  recommendation  beyond 
an  uninstructed  simplicity.  He  lived  with  her  above  half  a  Centu- 
ry. Has  long  been  out  of  business,  &  tho'  possessed  of  a  comforta- 
ble house,  still  poor.  I  have  seen  no  man  so  evidently  deserving, 
so  concealed  from  the  world,  &  so  indigent.  Yet  always  neat, 
chearful,  tho'  not  in  good  health,  he  lived  without  reproach.  He 
formerly  worshipped  in  the  Church  of  England,  &  his  family  with 
us,  but  he  had  left  public  worship  since  the  War.  I  thought  him  a 
Catholic  &  as  such  introduced  Dr.  Matignon  to  him.  But  tho'  con- 
fined to  his  bed ,  with  the  true  spirit  of  a  Huguenot,  he  rose  on  his 
arm,  pointed  out  the  place  of  his  nativity,  celebrated  in  the  contro- 
versy, &  expressed  that  he  held  his  native  place  &  its  zeal  in  the 
highest  honour.  We  then  passed  to  agreable  &  to  general  conver- 
sation. 

18.  This  morning  was  announced  to  me  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Briggs  whose  family  I  often  visited.  This  was  without  any  warn- 
ing to  me,  &  of  a  Lung  Fever  after  a  confinement  of  only  five  days. 
The  last  time  I  saw  her  she  was  in  perfect  health.  She  has  left 
behind  her  orphans,  nine  fine  &  healthy  children. 

An  account  of  the  worthy  Capt.  John  Baton  from  his  own  MS. 
"  April  18,  1746,  I  sailed  from  Rochellein  France  in  a  Snow  bound 
to  Havanna  &  on  the  20th  of  May  was  taken  by  a  British  Priva- 
teer called  the  Sandwich,  from  Bristol  &  was  carried  intoSu  rrinam 
&  from  thence  I  obtained  a  passage  to  Salem,  N.  E.  with  Capt.  Jo- 
siah  Orne  in  the  Brig  Essex.  I  lived  at  Salem  three  years  with 
Captain  William  Masury.  I  was  born  in  the  Isle  of  Oleron, 
1  March,  1729.  I  married  Elizabeth  Slade,  widow  of  Jonathan 
Lander,  Aug.  2,  1750.     She  was  born  Nov.  16,  1726. 

Elizabeth  Batten  was  born  23  Dec,  1750,  married  a  Kingot. 

Mary  Baton  was  born  4  July,  1754.  Mary  twice  married,  Eulen 
&  Goss,  1774,  1799. 

Margaret  Baton  was  born  4  Oct.,  1756,  married  a  Dorrell  & 
Strout. 

Hannah  Baton  was  born  28  May,  1758,  married  a  Parsons. 

Abigail  Baton  was  born  6  Nov.,  1761,  died  11  March,  1791. 

Susanna  Baton  was  born  17  July,  1763,  was  drowned  before  the 
door  13  Sept.,  1767. 

John  Baton  was  born  27  Nov.,  1765,  died  in  Jamaica  in  1798. 

William  Baton  was  born  10  Feb.,  1770,  died  abroad  in  1783." 

In  consequence  we  learn  that  his  wife  &  four  daughters  survive 
him.* 

*Capt.  Batton's  original  memorandum  yet  preserved  by  the  American  Antiquarian  So- 
ciety in  the  Bentley  Alisc.  MSS.,  contains  the  following  additional  information:  "  Sum 
of  our  grandchiklrens  ages.  John  Gray  was  born  ye  2th  of  May,  1771.  Peter  Kinggot 
■was  bom  ye  4th  February,  1777  &  died  abroad.  John  Conley  [or  Couley]  was  born  ye 
17th  March,  1782,  died  abroad.    Hannah,  our  Sister  Murray  died  ye  27tb  Decemr,  1796." 


1801]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  407 

20.  Sunday.  Notes.  Widow  Mary  Batten,  d.  of  her  Sister  Sarah 
Cooke,  a^t.  77.  Thomas  Ashby,  d.  of  his  wife,  for  him  &  his  ch., 
pr.  for  his  sister  very  sick.  John  Watson  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Sister 
Ashby.  Joshua  French  &  children,  d.  of  his  wife.  Nathaniel  Ar- 
cher &  wife,  her  delivery. 

27.  Sunday.  Notes.  The  Children  of  Capt.  J.  Briggs,  on  d.  of 
their  Mother,  Brethren  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Thomas,  d.  of  her  sister 
Briggs. 

January  1,  1802.  A  mild  &  very  pleasent  day.  A  walk  round 
the  Juniper  point  was  very  delightful.  The  water  smooth,  the 
wind  westerly  &  business  brisk.  A  most  interesting  year  to  our 
Country.     The  Family  at  Mr.  Ward's. 

2.  The  Salem  Register  has  dropped  the  title  Impartial,  to  leave 
the  public  to  judge  of  its  character. 

3.  Sunday.  Note.  Mary  Ann  Richardson,*  pr.  for  her  near  to 
death.  A  most  serious  Dispute  has  been  opened  in  the  Gazette  in 
regard  to  the  Clergy.  The  Clergy  had  so  plainly  spoken  &  written 
upon  the  subject  of  the  present  administration,  that  a  writer  said 
to  be  the  Attorney  General  of  the  U.  S.  under  the  signature  of  a 
*'  Farmer,"  in  his  10  number  has  openly  attacked  them.  The  blow 
is  serious,  &  the  more  the  Clergy  &  their  friends  attempt  to  defend 
themselves,  the  more  severe  are  the  strokes  upon  them.  This  sub- 
ject never  was  so  freely  handled  in  New  England  &  never  did  the 
Clergy  suffer  a  more  serious  diminution  of  their  influence  &  of 
their  power. 

Mr.  Dorr  gave  me  some  anecdotes  relative  to  the  Clergy  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Salisbury.  Amesbury  are  without  regular  Clergy. 
Salisbury  are  divided.  Mr.  Tombe  of  Newbury  is  in  trouble  from 
charges  against  his  moral  conduct.  Mr.  Milton  has  had  painful 
charges  against  the  honesty  of  his  wife.  Mr.  Thurston  who  left 
Northampton,  was  in  disgrace.  At  Stratham,  a  Deacon  claimed  the 
right  to  officiate  &  Mr.  Miltimore  patiently  suffered  it.  M.  was  a 
disciple  of  Murray  of  N.  Port. 

4.  This  day  we  had  news  that  Hon.  G.  R.  Minot  Esq.  died  last 
Saturday  evening  at  Boston.  This  worthy  man  was  in  the  next 
class  to  me  at  College  &  lived  the  last  year  with  Mr.  Freeman  with 
whom  I  lived  the  first.  He  possessed  an  amiable  disposition.  Was 
tall  &  of  a  slender  habit,  was  affable,  but  more  endeared  by  his  good 
sense,  than  his  address.  He  was  the  son  of  a  merchant  in  Boston. 
He  studied  Law  &  was  judge  of  Probate  for  the  County  of  Suffolk. 
His  History  of  the  Insurrection  in  Mass.  first  brought  him  to  the 
public  notice.  This  work  was  soon  followed  with  his  continuation 
of  Hutchinson.  These  works  were  correct,  judicious,  tho'  not 
marked  with  the  classical  taste  of  Belnap,  whom  we  expected  Minot 
would  succeed  in  some  more  perfect  work  than  he  has  already  pub- 
lished.    All  his  publications  do  honour  to  his  memory.    His  cool- 

•Widow  of  David,  of  Woburn. 


408  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

ness,  impartiality,  &  his  exemplary  life  will  be  remembered.  He 
was  a  most  useful  man  to  Mr.  Freeman  by  the  authority  of  his 
name  &  character  in  the  reformation  of  the  Liturgy  in  the  Chapel 
Church  in  Boston.  These  are  the  first  recollections  of  a  friend, 
before  any  panegyric,  or  report  had  reached  us.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
that  justice  will  be  done  to  so  valuable  a  man.  While  President 
Willard  was  sick,  in  the  best  Companies,  Minot  was  thought  of  to 
supply  that  ofi&ce  in  the  University.  His  best  friends  could  find 
no  deficiency  but  in  classical  knowledge. 

9.  We  all  observe  the  uncommon  mildness  of  the  season.  Busi- 
ness abroad  has  not  yet  been  interrupted.  The  Crowninshield/fam- 
ily  have  begun  the  use  of  the  new  Wharf  below  English  Street,  & 
three  vessels  are  now  actually  at  it. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Becket  &  children,  d.  of  his  wife, 
&  for  her  Mother  dang.  sick.  Wid.  Mary  Becket,  d.  of  her  Daugh- 
ter in  Law  Becket.  Retire  Becket  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Sister.  Sally 
Sloacum,  d.  of  her  sister  Becket,  pr.  for  her  husband  &  friends  at 
Sea.  Samuel  Leach  &  wife,  d.  of  Sister  Becket,  pr.  for  friends  at 
Sea.  Enoch  Swett  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother  at  Topsham,  Maine. 
Sarah  Sweetser,  with  her  husband,  d.  of  her  Mother  Richardson. 
Elizabeth  Murray,  d.  of  her  g.  child,  pr.  for  her  daughter  sick. 
Hannah  Murray,  d.  of  her  child,  pr.  for  another  child  sick.  Widow 
Martha  Rice,  pr.  for  her  daughter  sick.  In  our  Eastern  Church  are 
63  Communicants,  44  of  whom  have  been  received  under  the  pres- 
ent pastor.  Spaulding's  defence  of  his  opinions  against  his  Church 
in  this  Town  is  in  the  press.     The  defection  is  general. 

11.  A  Singular  circumstance  occured  in  our  Market.  Several 
hundred  of  Turkies  were  driven  into  the  vicinity  for  the  Market. 
This  Bird  is  not  one  of  the  most  yielding,  but  the  method  very 
favourable  to  the  Farmer  has  had  its  full  success.  No  snow  upon 
the  ground  as  y^t,  but  the  weather  begins  to  grow  cold.  Yesterday 
was  an  uncommonly  warm  day.  At  sunrise  the  glass  was  at  50  & 
at  10  before  the  morning  service,  at  55. 

12.  A  late  ebullition  of  party  spirit  appeared  last  week  at  the 
annual  feast  of  the  East  India  Marine  Society.  A  Committee  for 
the  Toasts  were  chosen,  &  the  Toasts  selected.  The  Master  know- 
ing that  the  Ex-Secretary  Pickering  &  the  Ex-Senator  Goodhue  were 
at  Table,  consented  that  the  Secretary  N.  Bowditch  should  read 
them  at  his  pleasure.  He  omitted  a  part  of  some  &  the  whole  of 
others.  The  Offended  have  required  a  publication  of  the  Toasts 
for  the  public  judgment  &  threaten  a  meeting  on  the  subject.  The 
Society  will  undoubtedly  be  injuried. 

17.  Sunday.  Notes.  Daniel  Proctor  &  wife,  d.  of  his  eldest 
Sister,  Wood  of  Danvers,  pr.  for  Brother  &  Sisters  absent.  Hanna 
Franks,  for  her  sick,  &  for  her  Brother  absent. 

19.  Female  associations  for  the  benefit  of  the  female  children 
are  adopted  through  the  United  States.     There  has  been  one  lately 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  409 

established  at  Savanna.  There  has  been  one  at  Baltimore  &  one  in 
this  Town,  besides  there  are  in  several  other  places,  lioston,  Phil- 
adelphia, N.  Y.  The  widow  of  Gen.  Fiske  is  Directress  of  that  at 
Salem  &  they  have  upon  the  printed  List  above  140  members.  I 
am  happy  to  find  the  concurrence  of  many  of  my  own  parish.  In 
the  List  I  find  of  my  own  Females,  6  out  of  the  8  &  one  third  of 
the  members. 

22,  Public  manners  may  be  very  nicely  ascertained  by  public 
entertainment.  Raynier,  the  Ventriloquist,  made  his  appearance  in 
this  Town.  On  his  first  night  Tickets  at  a  dollar  was  forbidding, 
&  there  was  a  select  &  small  company.  Tickets  fell  to  1-2  on  the 
next  night  &  there  was  a  great  concourse.  The  next  night  not  so 
many  &  greatly  satiated.  Last  night  great  additions  were  prom- 
ised to  the  amusements,  but  the  whole  has  fallen  from  high  ap- 
plause to  a  general  indifference  which  does  not  promise  common 
success. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Alice  Cotton,  sudden  d.  of  her 
eldest  son,  pr.  for  son  &  friends  absent.  John  Long,  set.  21, 
drowned  at  Cape  Francois,  Hispano,  born  at  Cape  Ann,  sailed  fr. 
Boston.     Mary  Brown,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  &  son  at  sea. 

The  Baptists  by  attaching  themselves  to  the  present  administra- 
tion have  gained  great  success  in  the  United  States  &  greater  in 
New  England  than  any  sect  since  the  settlement,  even  beyond  com- 
parison. This  seems  to  be  a  warning  to  the  Churches  of  the  other 
denominations.  The  late  address  of  the  Danbury  Association  of 
Baptist  Churches  to  President  Jefferson  with'^liis  answer  of  the 
present  month  are  before  the  public.  The  president  is  in  full  con- 
sent with  them  upon  the  use  of  civil  power  in  the  Church.  The 
Baptists  are  in  their  constituencies  more  republican  than  the 
Methodists  tho'  hardly  much  more  join  their  profession.  Monarchy 
is  the  soul  of  John  Wesley's  Scheme.  A  Bishop,  a  dependant 
Clergy  directed  by  a  head,  charged  at  the  will  of  superiours,  is  not 
so  simple  as  a  Clergy  moved  only  by  the  will  of  the  employers,  & 
having  no  controul.  Last  week  there  was  a  meeting  at  Marblehead 
Second  Congregratiou  to  consider  of  the  request  of  Revd.  Isaac 
Story  for  a  Colleague  Pastor.  This  weak  man  has  a  large  interest, 
acquired  &  inherited.  He  always  Avas  insignificant,  tho'  by  his 
zeal  for  a  long  time,  popular.  He  has  always  been  a  fool  in  his 
conversation,  is  obscene  &  intemperate.  He  has  printed  a  Sermon, 
printed  the  same  year  at  New  York,  as  his  own.  His  people  have 
requested  him  to  accept  a  dismission  &  they  are  to  give  him  four 
hundred  dollars  after  paying  all  regular  demands.  It  will  be  a 
happy  riddance  to  all  friends  of  the  Associated  Ministers.  Spauld- 
ing's  defence  is  before  the  public  &  it  has  all  the  properties  of  its 
father.  It  betrays  ignorance,  presumption,  &  blind  zeal.  He  has 
proposed  a  mutual  Council  to  consider  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church 
to  be  called  to  decide   between  the  majority  of  the  Church  &  the 


410  DIARY  OF  [Jan. 

Pastor  &  Minority.  To  this  they  object.  He  has  then  proposed 
to  call  the  Council  on  affairs  between  the  Church  &  Pastor  &  leav- 
ing to  the  Council  to  judge  whether  they  can  be  a  mutual  council 
when  the  minority  is  not  considered.  This  has  been  rejected  as 
leaving  his  consent  discretional,  as  the  former  might  excite  divi- 
sion in  the  Church.  It  was  then  proposed  to  leave  it  to  Revd. 
Niles  of  Abington,  a  man  who  has  sophistry  enough  for  any  cause. 
They  intend  to  consult  him  &  then  leave  it  to  him  if  they  please. 

25.  Received  Mr.  Tytler  for  the  first  time  at  my  house  on  the 
subject  of  his  geography.  He  appears  to  be  engaged  with  ISTancrede 
&  Macanulty  who  have  an  object  of  pecuniary  advantages  from  the 
labours  of  this  Compiler,  &  they  intend,  if  they  can  by  any  arti- 
fices, for  I  conceive  of  no  honour  in  their  intentions,  to  engage  me 
in  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Tytler.  Nancrede,  who  is  a  frenchman,  is 
gone  to  Europe  to  facilitate  this  business  so  far  as  the  maps  are 
concerned,  &  to  provide  such  new  works  as  appear,  while  Maca- 
nulty, an  ignorant,  but  not  very  modest  Irishman  is  to  impell  Tyt- 
ler &  such  help  as  he  find  at  a  cheap  rate  to  our  labours.  I  would 
not  hear  of  the  business  had  not  honour  obliged  me  in  frequently 
vindicating  Tytler  against  Morse,  to  assist  the  expectations  I  had 
raised  &  to  justify  them  amply  to  the  world.  No  present  conjectures 
can  be  made  of  success,  &  little  honour  gained  from  our  employers. 
My  parties  not  yet  develloped,  b  it  I  had  infinitely  rather  take  the 
whole  according  to  the  present  prospect,  than  mend  for  others. 
We  begin  to  feel  for  the  first  time  that  it  is  winter.  A  thin  ice 
has  formed  around  the  upper  wharves,  &  the  glass  all  day  for  the 
first  time  has  been  below  freezing  point.  All  say  they  never  knew 
a  more  moderate  season  hitherto.  I  am  still  burning  my  first  cord 
of 'wood  in  the  last  week  in  January. 

29.  A  reward  is  offered  for  the  detection  of  such  persons  as  open 
Post  Letters. 

31.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Sleuman,*  with  her  children,  d. 
of  her  husband  abroad.  Mary  Macdonald,  with  her  children,  d.  of 
her  mother  Cox.  Mary  Jeans,  with  her  children,  for  a  son  long 
missing,  believed  to  be  lost  at  sea,  pr.  for  husband  long  absent. 
Daniel  Proctor  &  wife,  her  delivery.  Andrew  Sleuman  was  mar- 
ried with  most  pleasing  prospects,  but  by  the  most  obstinate  habits 
of  intemperance  he  was  obliged  to  renounce  his  family  to  whom  he 
was  an  incumbrance,  disgrace  &  torment,  &  went  into  the  southern 
states.  There  he  became  a  tax  upon  his  friends,  &  descended  from 
one  employment  to  another  till  he  was  abandoned  &  died  in  the 
Island  of  Guadeloupe,  &  was  buried  by  Capt.  H.  White.  When  he 
entered  married  life  he  was  a  handsome  man  of  fine  person,  pierc- 
ing eye,  &  through  life  inclined  to  no  vice,  but  intemperance.  He 
was  benevolent,  above  anything  mean,  but  a  slave  to  intemperance 
into  which  he  never  was  drawn  by  any  society,  gambling  or  misfor- 

•Daughter  of  Capt.  Henry  and  Mary  Elkins. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  411 

tune.  It  was  the  native  propensity  which  conquered  a  most  vin- 
dictive spirit  which  scourged  him  to  his  guilt  &  made  the  most 
awful  remonstrances  against  his  crime  as  he  not  only  confessed, 
but  discovered  in  the  most  distracting  horrours,  &  the  most  solemn 
promises  of  reformation.  Story  of  Marblehead  preached  his  Fare- 
well Sermon  to  his  society  last  Sunday.  It  is  said  he  hopes  to  re- 
tain some  relation  to  his  Church,  to  be  exempt  from  taxes  to  the 
government,  but  they  have  hopes  of  buying  him  out  or  of  making 
him  pay  a  Tax  of  silence,  which  must  be  heavy  upon  his  imperti- 
nence. A  candidate  is  employed  this  day.  VVe  hear  of  but  few 
candidates  for  the  Ministry.  The  increase  of  sects  will  at  present 
have  an  unfavourable  influence  upon  the  learning  of  the  Clergy.  It 
may  in  the  end  increase  it.  Mrs.  Cox  was  a  Village.  Village,  was, 
as  he  is  called,  an  old  country  man  who  married  a  Lufkin.  The 
old  folks  say  she  danced  with  a  Candle  in  a  Candlestick  upon  her 
head.  They  were  low  &  miserable.  Mrs.  Jeans  was  a  Welcome  & 
married  a  Williams  &  a  Cody,  before  Jeans.  The  Son  she  has  lost 
was  a  John  Williams,  aet.  20,  who  was  bound  to  Capt.  Lovett  of 
Beverly.  The  Vessel  in  which  he  sailed  has  been  missing  twelve 
months. 

February  2  [1802].  A  Ship  launched  at  Becket's  Ship  yard 
this  day  for  Hodges  &  Nichols.  A  communication  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  who  have  receded  from  their  former  propositions,  against 
which  we  have  remonstrated,  &  now  send  as  a  direct  act  of  their 
authority  their  unanimous  resolve,  which  is  as  great  an  encroach- 
ment as  their  former  recommendation,  &  tends  only  to  the  increase 
of  power  in  that  Lodge.  It  proposes  District  Deputies,  who  are  to 
be  spies  of  the  Lodge,  &  by  the  Discharge  of  all  Grand  Lodge  dues. 
Secretaries  in  fact  to  the  Lodges.  They  are  to  visit  annually.  This 
gives  them  a  right  of  entrance  with  power  into  the  Lodges  &  a  con- 
troul  over  the  Lodges.  They  are  to  be  furnished  with  Diplomas 
which  they  are  to  dispence  to  the  Lodge  so  as  to  command  all  the 
honours  of  the  Lodges.  They  are  to  supercede  the  Masters,  because 
as  they,  not  his  Lodge,  represent  his  conduct,  he  is  or  is  not  to  re- 
ceive a  master's  diploma.  This  Deputy  is  to  be  paid  from  the 
grand  Treasury  so  that  he  will  hold  his  obligation  to  them  &  as  he 
is  to  be  paid  by  order  of  the  Master,  he  will  hold  directly  from  him. 
No  provision  is  made  for  the  purchase  of  a  Master's  certificate, 
provided  the  G.  Lodge  do  not  please  to  give  him  one.  And  to  add 
to  this  Farce  of  all  Farces,  the  Secretary  ventures  in  his  own  name 
to  give  us  his  advice,  but  as  the  Letter  is  printed,  he  must  have 
been  told  his  Duty,  &  begs  pardon  for  venturing  to  suggest  that  it 
would  answer  the  intentions  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  if  these  articles 
were  engrafted  upon  our  Bye  Laws,  &  read  with  them,  when  they 
distroy  the  Bye  Laws  &  Charter  besides.  And  in  this  transaction 
a  Committee  is  concerned  whose  names  have  influence,  &  of  them 
all  perhaps  not  one  has  fairly    calculated  the  consequences  of  such 


412  DiABY  OP  [Feb. 

proceedings.     The   majority  will   probably   accept,  &  the   private 
Lodges  loose  their  Liberties. 

7.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Moore,  d.  of  her  husband  abroad. 
She  a  Ryan,  he  from  New  Hampshire.  Joshua  Phippen,  ret.  of 
youngest  son  &  pr.  for  two  Sons  absent.  The  desk  of  the  New 
Church  formerly  supplied  by  Isaac  Story  has  been  supplied  by  the 
Congregation  so  that  his  ministerial  labours  have  ceased  in  Mar- 
blehead.  The  last  scene  has  been  the  subject  of  much  conversa- 
tion at  the  expense  of  that  foolish  man.  Some  little  trial  to  make 
a  stir  with  Randall  at  Manchester,  'tis  hoped  without  success.  This 
obscure  town  has  been  much  disturbed  with  religious  vapours.  It 
is  said  that  the  number  of  Candidates  for  regular  Churches  is  small. 
The  Sermon  at  Mr.  S.  Dana's  Ordination  in  Marblehead  has  been 
printed  &  the  two  Sermons  delivered  on  the  ensuing  Sunday. 
Whatever  they  may  promise  of  the  pastor,  they  give  no  great  earn- 
est of  his  talents. 

8.  Much  motion  was  excited  by  the  mention  of  a  debt  of  honour 
as  due  from  Mr.  P.*  our  representative,  who  has  uttered  some  severe 
invectives  against  Mr.  Jefferson.  To  aggravate  the  point  & 
sharpen  it,  a  report  accompanies  it  that  the  Father,  a  refugee,  re- 
fused a  guinea  to  one  of  the  now  first  Merchants  in  Salem,  when  a 
prisoner  in  London  &  told  him  he  would  give  a  guinea  to  have  him 
hanged.  The  said  Rep.  has  called  repeatedly  upon  the  Printer  and 
trembling  [with]  anger  has  threatened  him  with  a  prosecution. 

11.  Extracts  from  remarks  in  Capt.  John  White  of  Salem's 
Almanacs  from  1774  to  1790.  This  man  of  good  natural  powers 
was  early  in  life  a  fanatic  under  a  Mr.  Leavitt.  He  prayed  con- 
stantly in  his  Ship,  but  at  length  intemperence  relaxed  his  good 
habits,  &  he  lost  everything  dear  to  a  good  man,  &  was  shamefully 
depraved  in  his  last  days.  After  this  time  my  acquaintance  with 
him  begun,  &  he  now  discovered  signs  of  what  progressed  with 
great  rapidity  &  brought  great  disgrace  upon  him.  The  melan- 
choly effects  upon  his  children  since  his  decease  are  sufficient  to 
make  us  deprecate  his  example,  while  we  admire  his  natural 
abilities. 

1774.  Aug.  24.  The  British  Soldiers  came  in  to  Salem  from 
Winter  Island  to  prevent  the  Town  Meeting. 

Oct.  6.  The  fire  broke  out  in  Frye's  and  consumed  Col.  Frye's 
House,  Dr.  Whitaker's  Meeting  House,  Coats  &  Nattey'sf  do., 
Briton's  do..  Ropes  do.,  D.  Chever's  do.,  Jn°.  Appleton's  old  house, 
Sam.  Field's  do.,  Walter  Bartlet's  do.,  beside  out  houses. 

1775.  Jan.  &  Feb.  very  moderate.  Harbour  not  frozen  this 
year.     The  most  moderate  I  have  ever  seen  here. 

Jime  12.  At  Machias  they  took  an  English  Tender  Schooner, 
which  came  to  protect  Ichabod  Jones.  People  were  there  from  Chand- 

•  Pickman. 
t  Northey's? 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  413 

ler's  river  S  miles,  from  Pleasant  river  25  miles,  &  from  Goulds- 
borough  50  miles,  all  by  land.  Some  killed  on  both  sides.  Jones 
was  apprehended  in  the  woods  on  22  June. 

Oct.  10.     Fired  upon  a  Ship  of  war,«&  D.  Newell  lost  his  hand. 

1778.     Sep.  15.  Franklin  privateer  arrived  from  her  Cruise. 

Nov,  3.     French  fleet  sailed  fr.  Boston. 

1780.  Jan.  6.  The  greatest  quantity  of  snow  I  have  seen  for 
many  years. 

13.  Blocked  up  with  snow.  The  sharpest  &  continued  season 
Sc  more  snow  than  ever  I  knew. 

28.     Passing  in  the  Ice  as  low  as  the  Aquae  Vitae. 

May  19.  This  day  has  been  remarkably  dark.  The  darkness 
began  about  10  o'clock  by  a  Cloud  from  the  N.  W.  the  appearance 
of  a  Thunder  Squall,  tho'  no  thunder  to  be  heard  at  that  time. 
However  in  the  morning  at  5  o'clock  heard  thunder  in  the  west,  & 
saw  it  there  very  dark  &  hazy.  The  wind  has  been  easterly  several 
days  &.  exceedingly  hazy.  It  is  S.  E.  or  thereabouts  this  time  of 
darkness  here,  tho'  to  appearance  N.  W.  up  the  Country.  The 
darkness  increased  from  10  o'clock  till  about  1  o'clock,  at  which 
time  the  degree  of  darkness  was  I  judge  as  an  ordinary  star  light 
night  with  half  moon.  The  darkness  went  off  gradually  as  it  came 
on,  the  Cloud  or  haze  passing  to  the  S,  E.  I  could  see  a  glin  m  the 
east  stretching  about  half  the  horison  round  from  N.  E.  to  S.  W.  all 
the  fore  part  of  the  darkness.  We  were  obliged  to  have  a  Candle 
to  do  the  ordinary  business  of  the  house  &  for  dinner,  for  the  space 
of  three  hours  or  more. 

1783.  March  21.  In  the  course  of  the  week  past  our  Parish 
Meeting  was  held,  in  which  our  old  parson  Diman  was  restricted  to 
his  salary  settled  on,  which  is  50£.  This  day  Sunday  no  public 
worship  in  our  Meeting  house. 

Sept.  24.  W.  B.*  ordained  Pastor  to  the  E.  parish,  Salem,  P.  S. 
or  Elder  Colleague,  &c.  with  James  Diman  our  older  minister  or  the 
Lord  knows  what.  Our  Land  is  burdened  with  this  order  of  Men. 
The  Lord  deliver  us. 

Oct.  10.     Last  night  old  Derbyf  died. 

Nov.  12.     First  snow.     Ice  in  harbor  at  end  of  Dec. 

1785.  Feb.  8.     Jo.  Douse  buried  on  6th  instant. 
July  6.     The  greatest  crop  of  Hay  Supposed  known. 

Dec.  21.  A  spell  of  Southerly  VV.  no  snow  or  ice  to  be  seen, 
provisions  cheap.  Pork,  /4 ;  Indian  meal,  /4 ;  Turkey,  /4  ;  Geese,/3 ; 
Beef,  23/  per  hundred. 

1786.  Jan.  28.     Dr.  Joseph  Orne  died. 

April  1.  As  much  snow  as  at  any  time  in  winter.  On  trade  he 
remarks,  on  the  depravity  of  men  in  trade,  &c.  I  thank  God  I  am 
clear  from  this  sin  in  all  my  commerce. 

•William  Bentley. 
tCapc.  Riuhard  Derby. 


414  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

16.     Francis  Cabot  Esq'  buried. 

21.     A  Fire  in  Gray's  Shop  consumed  it  &  an  adjoining  building. 

May  23.     Joseph  Blaney  Esqr,  died. 

Dec.  10.  The  tide  higher  this  day  than  it  has  been  since  Oct.  20, 
1770  &  within  4  inches  of  that.  Many  vessels  ashore,  &  many  men 
have  perished.    Wind  N.  E. 

21.  Indian  hanged. 

22.  Col.  John  Turner  Esqr.  buried. 
25.     Capt.  David  Britton  buried. 

1787.  Oct.  4.  Ice  for  the  first  time.  Last  attendance  of  Kevd. 
Diman. 

1788.  August  15.     Dr.  Ebenezer  Putnam  dead. 

Oct.  9.     Last  night  Eevd.  James  Diman  died,  set.  81. 

Nov.  27.     Used  a  Stove  first  time. 

1790.  April  12.     Derby's  ship,  Grand  Turk  raised. 

May  20.     Master  John  Nutting  died,  set.  96. 

22.     Hon.  Robert  Hooper  Esqr.  of  Marblehead,  died. 

June  28.     Daniel  King  dead.     Mathem.  Instrument  Maker. 

July  5.     Abraham  Watson  died,  aet.  78.     Brother  in  Law. 

Aug.  17.     Joseph  Lambert  died.     A  brother  in  Law. 

Nov.  21.     Baloon  raised  in  Town. 

12.  The  Salem  Gazette  has  vomitted  much  of  his  filth  upon  me 
in  the  paper  of  this  day.  I  am  content  to  bear  it  without  fear. 
Died  on  10  Instant  at  Andover,  Honor.  Samuel  Phillips,  set.  50, 
Lieut.  Governour  of  this  state.  He  graduated  at  Cambridge  in 
1771.  For  25  years  successively  he  was  in  the  House  &  Senate  & 
for  twenty  years  he  was  President  of  the  Senate.  He  assisted  the 
establishment  of  the  Academy  in  Andover  which  bears  the  family 
name.  Amidst  the  changes  in  the  highest  offices  he  was  over 
looked  till  last  year,  &  then  he  was  chosen  by  the  consent  of  the 
friends  of  the  Candidates  to  prevent  the  promotions  intended  by 
the  republican  interest.  He  was  a  man  exceedingly  attached  to  in- 
terest so  as  not  to  leave  a  pure  reputation  near  him.  He  was  of  a 
slender  form,  not  engaging.  Reserve  &  prudence  &  a  great  estate 
gave  him  the  honour  of  being  governour  from  Essex  County.  His 
political  influeuce  with  the  majority  in  Andover  has  long  been  lost, 
&  an  Academy  in  competition  has  been  erected  in  the  North  part 
of  the  Town. 

13.  To  assist  the  knowledge  of  the  Town.  Carpenters  and  Join- 
ers were  :  Macmellon,  who  was  old  in  1718  ?  Neal,  who  built  the 
present  meeting  house.  Easties  was  a  proper  House  joiner. 
Beadle  was  a  House  joiner,  &  Carver.  Some  of  his  work  long  re- 
mained on  a  house  near  the  Church.  Trades  much  confounded  to- 
gether. Beckets,  Ship  Carpenters.  Had  a  rope  walk  near  old  paved 
Street.  Holeman  &  Luscomb,  painters,  &  Gray,  all  living  since 
1700.  Macmellon's  great  ax  in  hewing,  &  Neal's  small  one,  pro- 
verbial. Manning,  a  Blacksmith,  died  set.  93,  46  years  ago,  born 
1653  ?     Hodges,  from  Wales.     Newfield  point,  now  Horton's. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  415 

14.  Sunday.  Note.  Elizabeth  Martin,  d.  of  her  youngest  child, 
pr.  for  brother  absent. 

15.  This  day  Gov.  Phillips  was  interred  in  the  family  burying 
ground  at  Andover.  Mr.  French  prayed  &  Dr.  Tappan  preached. 
The  Pall  was  supported  by  the  Governour,  three  of  the  Council,  the 
President  of  the  Senate  &  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
In  Boston  a  Sermon  was  delivered  by  the  Chaplain  of  the  House, 
Thomas  Baldwin,  &  a  prayer  by  Dr.  Thacher,  Chaplain  of  the  Sen- 
ate.    The  Bells  tolled,  &  minute  guns  were  fired  from  2  to  4  o'clock. 

16.  An  Inhabitant  of  Salem,  &  descendant  of  the  Skerry  fami- 
ly, assured  me  it  was  a  tradition  in  the  family  that  herg.  g.  mother, 
the  first  of  the  family  that  came  to  Salem  from  Yarmouth,  always 
swept  her  hearth  &  set  a  pail  of  clear  water  upon  the  hearth  before 
she  went  to  bed  for  the  Fairies.  This  may  easily  be  believed  as  the 
doctrine  of  fairies  is  still  believed  in  the  North  of  Scotland,  tho'  not 
so  common  in  the  Island  of  Britain  at  large  as  formerly.  This  day 
was  interred  in  this  Town  Mrs.  Olive  Pluramer,  set.  47.  She  was 
the  widow  of  Dr.  Joshua  Plummer  &  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ly- 
man of  York,  Maine.  She  was  frequently  at  Gen.  Fiske's  in  his  day. 
Since  that  time  my  acquaintance  with  her  has  lessened.  She  was 
chearful,  talkative,  agreable,  &  in  all  senses  good  company. 

19.  Died  in  Salem,  the  wife  of  Revd.  Joshua  Spalding.  She  was 
unknown  to  me,  but  while  living  supported  a  good  reputation.  This 
event  happening  just  before  the  meeting  of  an  Ecclesiastical  Coun- 
cil upon  the  affairs  of  his  Church  must  be  very  distressing.  Com- 
mon opinion  is  that  Mr.  Spaulding  is  certainly  deranged.  There 
appears  something  upon  which  the  public  might  pronounce  such  a 
judgment. 

20.  Two  vessels  building  near  North  Field  Bridge,  N.  of  the 
Bridge  &  one  at  Briggs'  in  South  Field's  opposite  the  Wharves. 
This  trade  of  Ship  Building  &  of  Boat  Building  has  been  a  profit- 
able Trade  in  Salem.  The  increase  of  Trading  Shops  is  truely 
great.  No  Town  of  its  population  had  so  few  20  years  ago  &  now 
the  number  is  in  the  mouths  of  all  the  Inhabitants,  &  yet  none  have 
lost  credit  or  failed.  Mr.  S.  C.  Ward  has  been  declared  a  Bank- 
rupt, but  his  want  of  common  atttention  to  business  has  wasted  the 
best  estate,  &  destroyed  the  best  prospects.  In  no  Town  are  fewer 
bad  debts  contracted.  Building  continues  &  many  new  houses  are 
erected.  The  removal  of  Houses  once  a  rare  spectacle,  is  now  com- 
mon, &  we  are  not  surprised  to  find  a  house  in  the  street  taking  a 
new  departure. 

21.  A  Council  has  been  summoned  at  the  Tabernacle  Church  in 
this  Town  upon  the  subject  of  the  dispute  between  the  Pastor  & 
Church  upon  the  Discipline  of  the  Church,  the  Pastor  favouring  the 
the  Presbyterian  &  the  Church  the  independant  form,  &  both  plead- 
ing the  practice  of  the  New  England  Churches  or  rather  one  the 
Platform  &  the  other  the  practice. 


416  DIARY  OF  [Feb. 

22.  About  4  in  the  morniDg  began  a  Snow  Storm  which  was  in- 
cessant through  the  day  &  till  midnight,  &  the  wind  continuing  very- 
high  &  blustering.  For  the  first  time  in  my  life  I  found  every  in- 
vention fail  me  in  keeping  fire  upon  my  hearth.  The  blasts  would 
force  the  coals  &  ashes  into  the  room,  &  even  beat  down  the  cover- 
ing which  was  placed  over  the  fire  place  to  prevent  entirely  any 
communication  between  the  Chimney  &  room,  to  avoid  the  smoak 
which  was  intolerable.  Confined  to  the  house  I  have  as  yet  known 
none  of  its  effects  abroad.  One  favourable  circumstance  was  that 
the  cold  was  not  severe,  the  glass  standing  anywhere  in  the  house 
at  freezing  point.  Hail  mixed  with  the  snow,  but  the  snow  blew 
so  as  to  be  suffocating  &  rendering  it  impossible  to  see  the  nearest 
houses,  increased  every  danger  abroad.  In  the  evening  the  dark- 
ness was  excessive. 

23.  We  found  ourselves  completely  banked  up.  All  roads  were 
obstructed.  Stages  stopped,  &  one  man  with  the  mail  forced  hi 
way  from  Boston  with  great  hazard.  The  Town  officers  with  a  Drag 
&  twenty  Oxen  are  out  breaking  the  roads  through  the  Town.  We 
hear  of  no  damage  tho'  we  have  not  been  free  from  great  apprehen- 
sion. 

24.  Mrs.  Spaulding  was  buried  &  no  one  of  the  Council  had 
reached  the  Town  so  the  pall  was  supported  by  Revd.  Hopkins, 
Fisher,  Bernard,  Prince  &  Bentley,  &  by  Deacon  Saft'ord,  in  whose 
tomb  she  was  interred.  The  travelling  remains  very  bad.  We  went 
on  the  side  of  the  street  to  the  main  street,  &  then  up  the  middle 
of  the  same  street  to  the  Burying  Hill  in  shovelled  paths. 

25.  Several  of  the  Council  in  Town  but  it  is  doubtful  whether 
the  whole  Ecc.  Council  can  convene  from  the  nature  of  the  travel- 
ling. As  the  time  approaches,  &the  public  mind  gets  agitated,  es- 
pecially by  the  domestic  affliction  of  Mr.  Spaulding,  the  conse- 
quences become  more  serious  to  the  peace  of  the  Tabernacle  church, 
whose  members  are  of  that  class  of  Citizens  we  deem  most  movable 
by  all  the  round  of  passion.  I  am  indebted  to  Capt.  B.  Hodges  & 
Capt.  R.  Stone  for  an  ample  vindication  of  me  in  the  affair  of  the 
debt  of  honour  against  Col.  Derby  &  Major  Pickman.  Derby  has 
become  the  Bully  of  the  Town,  always  fighting  &  always  beat.  He 
has  lately  fought  with  his  Brother  in  law  West,  on  the  Wharf.  He 
quarrelled  bitterly  on  the  subject  of  the  toasts  of  the  E.  I.  Ma- 
rine Society  &  then  was  forced  to  confess  he  did  not  understand  the 
subject.  He  has  now  been  publickly  silenced  for  his  impertinence 
in  the  affairs  of  the  Gazette  &  the  Register.  He  cannot  wi'ite  a  line 
in  any  language,  so  that  nothing  is  expected  from  him  but  the  blows. 

26.  The  rain  continued  incessantly  throughout  the  whole  day. 
Such  was  the  quantity  of  snow  &  such  the  drifts  that  to  pass  was 
very  difficult.  The  rain  had  rendered  the  passage  of  foot  travellers 
very  tiresome  even  in  the  streets,  so  that  a  person  abroad  was  hard- 
ly to  be  seen  in  the  most  frequented  parts  of  the  town. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    I).  411 

27.  This  morning  the  wind  was  variable,  but  fixed  at  last  at 
N.  E.  with  rain,  but  moderately.  At  noon  it  began  to  snow  &  blow. 
No  regular  stages.  Yesterday  the  Cape  Ann  stage  by  the  help  of 
the  people  of  Beverly  got  into  this  Town,  but  passengers  do  not 
chuse  to  venture  beyond. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  James,  sudden  death  of  daughter, 
pr.  for  husband  long  absent.  William  Sage  &  wife,  for  him  sick, 
pr.  for  sons  at  Sea.  The  whole  day  it  continued  snowing,  the  wind 
still  at  N.  E.  Some  of  the  Council  to  be  convened  for  the  affairs  of 
the  Tabernacle  Church  have  come  on,  but  the  travelling  will  pre- 
vent the  meeting  of  all  the  members. 

March  1,  1802.  This  day  the  melancholy  news  reached  us  that 
the  three  Ships*  which  sailed  from  Salem  on  Sunday,  21  instant, 
are  shipwrecked  upon  Cape  Cod.  The  accounts  are  distressing,  but 
particular  events  remain  unknown.  Died  last  Friday,  Thomas  Bul- 
finch,  ^L  D.,  aet.  73.  Doctor  B.  was  Brother  to  the  wife  of  the  late 
Revd.  Dr.  S.  Cooper  &  descended  of  a  good  Family.  He  had  a  good 
share  of  reputation.  He  married  into  the  Apthorp  family,  &  main- 
tained a  great  degree  of  respect  as  a  Gentleman  till  the  Georgia 
speculations  of  his  Son  involved  him  in  complete  Bankrupcy.  His 
son  Charles  is  the  most  eminent  architect  of  our  Country,  to  whom 
we  were  indebted  for  the  very  elegant  Theati'e  which  was  the  first 
in  Boston  &  was  burnt,  for  the  Tontine  Building  in  Franklin  place 
&  for  the  new  Court  House.  Since  the  distress  of  his  affairs  he 
has  held  several  town  offices,  which  afford  him  a  comfortable  sub- 
sistence. The  Father  in  his  old  age  could  not  support  the  oppres- 
sions which  befell  his  age,  &  indulged  so  freely  that  he  lost  that 
influence  which  the  best  conduct  in  poverty  can  seldom  support,  & 
without  which  poverty  has  no  consolation. 

2.  Numerous  accounts  of  Ship  wrecks  are  reported  to  us.  Some 
are  contradicted  but  additions  are  made  with  aggravated  Calamities. 
Capt.  Thistle  with  whom  Mr.  W.  Mason ,  who  has  lately  been  with 
us  with  his  wife,  was  cast  away  on  Cape  Hatteras.  Capt.  Brown 
bilged  his  vessel  going  to  Washington,  N.  Carolina.  The  evils  have 
been  round  the  Globe.  We  are  still  waiting  with  anxiety  to  hear 
from  our  friends  at  Cape  Cod.  Capt.  George  &  John  Crowninshield 
are  gone  by  land.  Capt.  Chever  &  several  others  in  three  vessels 
have  gone  by  water. 

4.  News  from  our  Ships  on  Cape  Cod.  The  Brutus  is  totally 
lost,  &  the  Captain  &  11  hands  have  perished.  The  Ulysses  has 
bilged,  but  Crew  safe.  The  other  Ship,  entirely  new  is  found  &  will 
probably  be  saved.  The  Brutus  the  best  Sailor,  passed  a  mile  be- 
yond the  Ulysses  before  she  struck.  Such  as  perished,  perished  on 
shore.  The  Third  Ship  struck  three  miles  short  of  the  Ulysses, 
but  being  entirely  new,  may  be  saved.     The  mate,  Mr.  Rhue,  of  the 

•The  Ulysses,  Bnitus,  and  Volusia. 


418  DIARY  OP  [March 

Brutus  was  saved ,  &  four  of  the  hands,  but  their  names  we  have 
not  been  able  to  obtain. 

6.  Mr.  Blair  has  arrived  from  Cape  Cod  &  has  afforded  us  the 
great  alleviation  of  our  distress  that  no  person  belonging  to  our  so- 
ciety has  perished.  Young  Eue,  Rowell,  &  Phippen  took  the  pre- 
caution of  keeping  under  the  bank,  &  so  escaping  from  the  fury  of 
the  wind,  Snow  &  Sands,  &  were  saved. 

7.  Sunday.  Tho'  our  loss  of  property  has  been  great  yet  gener- 
al joy  was  expressed  that  we  had  no  loss  of  lives  from  our  own  so- 
ciety, tho'  distress  had  reached  our  neighbours.  As  Capt.  Brown 
was  about  to  marry  in  the  Society  &  intended  to  belong  to  it,  we 
cannot  refuse  to  feel  a  large  share  of  the  grief  his  death  has  occa- 
sioned.* By  the  retreat  of  the  British  Troops  from  Boston,  the 
King's  Chapel,  now  called  the  Stone  Chapel,  becomes  vacant,  &  both 
its  ministers  have  since  died  in  England.  To  supply  this  Church, 
which  as  a  building  &  a  congregation  would  bear  comparison  with 
any  in  America,  was  an  object  of  too  great  importance  to  be  forgot- 
ten, especially  in  the  time  of  a  revolution.  The  English  Church 
were  very  nearly  attached  to  the  cause  of  the  parent  Country,  & 
were  regarded  with  that  peculiar  jealousy  which  the  desertion  of 
the  greater  part  of  its  ministers  had  inspired,  so  that  its  members 
dared  not  to  employ  its  open  interference  in  the  first  steps  to  sup- 
ply this  Church.  Dr.  Cooper  who  had  seen  the  influence  of  this 
Church  under  royal  patronage,  discovered  an  opportunity  to  sever 
it  from  the  Communion,  which  would  have  urged  the  same  temper, 
if  not  with  the  same  success.  He  prevailed  on  his  brother,  who  took 
the  direction  of  its  affairs,  to  provide  a  dissenter,  or  a  more  moder- 
ate clergyman,  who  would  be  interested  in  retaining  the  good  will 
of  the  Congregational  churches.  As  I  was  then  in  the  Grammar 
School  frequent  proposals  were  made  by  Dr.  Bulfinch  &  Dr.  Cooper 
at  the  house  of  Dr.  Cooper.  The  objections  which  were  urged,  were 
drawn  from  the  exceptionable  parts  of  the  Liturgy,  &  the  difficulty 
of  an  ordination  after  any  innovations.  The  subject  of  alterations 
was  frequently  debated,  &  the  nature,  &  extent  as  well  as  necessity 
of  them.  Finally  to  avoid  all  difficulty,  a  minister  in  holy  orders, 
a  Mr.  Fisher,  since  settled  at  Salem,  was  mentioned  &  I  believe, 
because  he  says  it,  measures  were  taken  to  obtain  him.  At  least, 
he  came  from  Nova  Scotia,  in  full  expectations.  Dr.  Cooper  op- 
posed his  establishment,  on  the  ground  of  his  talents,  manners  &  in- 
formation, but  principally  from  a  wish  to  prevent  an  Episcopal  Or- 
dination. The  worthy  Mr.  Freeman  appeared.  He  met  every  diffi- 
culty, reformed  the  liturgy,  accepted  an  ordination  from  the  author- 
ity of  the  members  of  his  own  Communion,  despised  the  protest  of 
the  Clergy,  while  by  his  association  with  the  Congregationalists,  he 
gave  himself  a  permanent  establishment  with  great  &  growing  rep- 
utation, 

*He  was  aboat  to  marry  Priscilla  Webb.  After  the  death  of  Capt.  Brown  she  remained 
unmarried  and  lived  in  a  retired  manner  until  her  death  in  1866,  aged  80  years. 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  419 

Mr.  Oliver  formerly  minister  of  Beverly  has  undertaken  to  pub- 
lish an  English  Work  against  the  Anabaptists  by  Peter  Edwards. 
Its  recommendation  is  from  the  Evangelical  Magazine  of  which  I 
know  not  the  authority.  The  Congregationalists  begin  to  be  alarmed 
at  the  great  progress  of  the  Anabaptists,  but  the  progress  is  not  from 
their  opinions,  but  from  their  political  situation  to  oppose  the  busy 
Clergymen  who  are  tools  of  the  Anti -Jefferson  party.  The  Contro- 
versial Books  will  be  little  read,  unless  to  make  bigots  on  one  side, 
&  to  strengthen  opposition,  &  oppression  will  make  more  friends 
for  the  Anabaptists  among  those  who  despise  their  opinions  &  their 
sect. 

12.  Arrived  in  town,  W.  Rowell,  one  of  the  hands  from  the 
Brutus.  He  tells  us  that  the  ship  struck  at  1/2  past  7  on  Monday 
night,  that  they  discharged  so  much  of  their  Coffee  into  the  sea  as 
to  lighten  her,  that  she  began  to  come  to  pieces  at  1/2  past  nine  & 
then  by  the  help  of  the  Main  mast,  all  but  one  reached  the  shore. 
That  they  took  their  way  across  the  Cape,  &  at  length  Capt.  Brown 
failed,  &  advised  them  to  sit  down  &  die  together.  They  helped  him 
as  long  as  they  were  able  &  then  left  him.  He  was  thin  clad.  The 
other  second  mate  failed,  Mr.  Ayres.  He  had  lost  his  boots,  &  so 
their  number  continued  to  diminish  till  day  break.  Two  of  the 
negroes  were  found  locked  together  in  each  other  arms.  That  they 
first  discovered  the  Ship  Volusia  but  she  was  so  covered  with 
ice,  they  did  not  know  her.  They  haled,  but  no  person  was 
on  board.  At  length  they  found  a  fence  &  from  that  discovered 
the  Light  House,  at  which  they  had  assistance.  Young  Phippen 
failed  at  the  fence,  but  the  Light  House  Keeper  brought  him  in  in 
his  arms.  The  men  were  found  next  day  &  brought  to  the  same 
house  &  next  day  were  buried  from  the  Meeting  House  in  Truro. 
Capt.  Browne  was  buried  in  Province  Town.  Young  Rowell  thinks  it 
would  have  been  impossible  to  tarry  on  the  beach  or  to  have  erected 
any  shelter  in  their  exhausted  state.  He  says  that  if  he  stopped 
only  a  few  minutes  he  fell  down  oppressed  with  sleep,  &  all  the 
dead  were  found  upon  their  faces,  &  the  mate  with  one  arm  under 
his  head.  He  froze  only  his  hands,  which  were  without  mittens, 
&  uncovered  all  night.  He  had  on  his  boots,  &  suffered  no  inconven- 
ience from  his  feet.  The  Cold  by  thermometer  in  Town  was  below 
zero,  &  the  snow  &  sand  blew  incessantly.  Ober,  who  survived 
till  next  day  &  was  taken  up  alive,  was  almost  choaked  with  sand  & 
died  soon  after  the  attempts  to  relieve  him.  He  remembered  to  have 
heard  them  walking  round  him,  was  buried  in  snow  &  stretched  out 
his  hand  that  it  might  be  seen  above  the  snow,  but  it  was  not  dis- 
cerned. A  boy  found  him  next  morning.  This  is  a  proof  that  in 
snow  there  is  more  sure  preservation  after  they  were  exhausted. 
The  side  which  was  longest  bare  was  irrecoverably  frozen.  Young 
Rowell  says  that  he  narrowly  escaped  death  by  the  falling  of  a 
beam  of  the  ship  while  he  was  below,  &  had  not  their  lights  been  put 


420  DIARY  OP  [March 

out,  &  so  they  had  been  obliged  to  retreat  they  must  have  all  per- 
ished, for  the  last  man,  finding  the  mast  disengaged  by  falling 
into  the  water,  instantly  perished  among  the  floating  timbers  & 
casks. 

14.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Murray,  d.  of  another  of  her 
Children  &  for  herself  sick.  Elizabeth  Murray,  d.  of  her  G.  child, 
pr.  for  a  son  at  Sea.  Thomas  Rowell  &  wife  &  Children,  thanks 
for  the  remarkable  preservation  of  their  sou  William  in  the  most 
■distressing  situation  of  Shipwreck  when  Captain  Browne  &  the 
•greater  part  of  the  Crew  perished  on  Cape  Cod,  pr.  for  Sons  &  friends 
at  Sea.  Josiah  R.  Atwell  &  wife,  for  great  preservation  in  eminent 
danger.  He  was  fixing  the  standards  of  a  walk  upon  a  store,  &  fell 
from  the  roof  upon  the  hard  ground,  the  eves  being  fifteen  feet  high. 
He  came  up  on  his  hands  &  knees.  He  broke  the  pan  bone  of  one 
knee,  &  strained  the  wrist  of  one  of  his  hands.  Thomas  Palfrey  & 
wife,  for  him  dangerously  sick. 

James  Bowers  who  has  officiated  in  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
Bath,  Maine,  is  now  at  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Marblehead.  In 
both  places  the  numbers  are  small,  &  bhe  wealthy  are  few  upon 
whom  the  support  of  public  worship  must  fall.  The  CouQcil  to  be 
convened  on  the  affairs  of  the  Tabernacle  Church  is  postponed  till 
the  14  day  of  April.  Our  Friends  shipwrecked  at  Cape  Cod,  both 
at  Province  Town  &  Truro,  do  not  speak  favourably  of  the  talents 
of  the  Clergymen  displayed  to  alleviate  their  calamities.  Tho'  no 
impeachment  of  humanity  can  be  laid,  they  derived  little  aid  from 
their  devotion  as  the  guardian  of  sympathy.  There  was  nothing 
done  which  they  could  call  pleasing  accomodation,  in  the  public 
solemnities.  Speaking  of  the  great  humanity  to  the  persons  of 
the  Sufferers,  but  the  gross  violation  of  property  as  characteristic 
of  all  the  Cape  Cods  in  the  world,  or  places  in  which  shipwrecks 
are  common,  it  has  been  told  of  old  Mr.  Lewis  of  Wellfleet,  that  on 
a  stormy  Sunday  upon  seeing  a  wreck  on  shore  from  the  pulpit 
window,  he  closed  his  book,  put  on  his  outside  garment,  &  descended 
from  the  pulpit  not  explaining  his  intention  till  he  was  in  the 
aisle,  &  then  he  cried  out,  start  fair,  &  took  to  his  legs.  The  Con- 
gregation understood  him  &  soon  followed.  Our  friends  report 
that  they  visited  a  house  for  help  while  the  woman  was  at  prayer. 
An  apology  was  made  by  one  of  the  children,  that  the  father  was 
out  a  moon  cursing.  Too  much  cannot  be  said  of  their  humanity 
but  no  apology  can  be  made  for  their  strong  propensities  to  seize 
the  property  of  the  wrecked  in  their  power. 

16.  In  the  Register  of  yesterday  the  Electioneering  campaign 
opened.  It  begun  with  some  regard  to  decency,  but  the  reply  of  this 
day,  tells  of  stews  in  populous  towns,  &  sweepings  of  ship's  holds, 
&  everything  insolent  to  deaden  while  it  indeed  inflames  the  zeal 
of  party.  We  have  three  Candidates  for  the  Senate  in  this  Town, 
Treadwell  &  Pickman  by  one  party,  &  Crowninshield  by  the  other. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  421 

18.  Never  were  greater  exertions  made  in  Essex  since  I  have 
lived  in  it  than  to  obtain  an  entire  change  in  the  administration  of 
affairs  in  this  State.  So  far  do  all  measures  contravene  the  general 
government,  that  the  most  serious  political  evils  are  to  be  appre- 
hended. Our  prejudices  against  French  &  English  bear  no  com- 
parison with  the  enmity  we  feel  against  a  most  dangerous  enemy, 
as  we  suppose,  at  our  own  doors.  Letters  are  sent,  the  presses 
snioak,  &  conversation  has  the  constant  tang  of  politics.  We  are 
told  the  natives  of  the  east  eat  assafoetida.  We  may  have  as  good 
an  appetite. 

19.  This  day  I  came  in  for  a  share  of  censure  from  the  Gazette. 
By  helping  the  Register,  I  am  the  friend  of  its  cause,  &  am  treated 
without  mercy.  Mr.  Pickering  was  nominated  in  Newbury.  They 
forgot  his  want  of  residence  to  qualify  him  as  a  Senator.  Mr. 
Pickman's  friends  considered  this  as  a  measure  to  withdraw  votes 
from  him.  The  zeal  of  Newbury  is  engaged  by  the  alarm  that  the 
Republicans  are  to  have  no  religion.  Their  friends  of  toleration 
will  sell  their  liberties,  to  quiet  their  religious  fears.  For  what  has 
the  State  to  do  with  their  religion? 

20.  Capt.  Clemens  has  arrived  in  town.  His  ship  was  cast 
away  upon  Cape  Sable  &  lost.  Part  of  the  Cargo  saved,  &  all  the 
men.  This  is  another  loss  to  add  to  the  list  of  our  calamities.  The 
Vessel  was  owned  by  Porter  &  Upton  &  the  master.  We  are  told 
from  Cape  Ann,  that  the  Anglopeds  are  loosing  daily  that  interest 
they  have  usurped  in  the  public  opinion. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  Abigail  Jenkins  in  a  weak  &  low  condi- 
tion. Joshua  Phippen  &  wife  &  children,  for  preserving  his  Son  in 
the  greatest  danger  from  shipwreck,  now  sick,  &  for  two  sons  at 
sea. 

25.  A  curious  act  of  theft  happened  in  Daniels'  street  one  even- 
ing last  week.  A  Miss  Crowninshield  visited  at  Capt.  Silsbee's 
&  left  her  muff,  tijDpet,  hat,  &  gloves  in  an  opposite  room  to  that 
in  which  she  sat.  A  candle  was  burning  in  the  room  in  which  she 
left  these  articles.  A  Mrs.  Adams,  lately  from  Danvers,  with  her 
husband,  entered  the  room,  took  out  the  articles  &  with  them  the 
candle  &  candlestick.  She  was  observed  going  out  by  a  person 
descending  the  stairs.  An  alarm  was  made  &  several  young  men 
pursued  her.  She  threw  the  brass  candlestick  over  the  first  fence 
she  passed,  then  the  muff,  &  pursued  from  street  to  street  &  from 
yard  &  houses  as  she  passed,  she  finally  returned  home  &  was 
seized  in  her  own  house.  She  made  no  decent  apology  &  as  a 
stranger  her  character  was  unknown.  The  effects  were  all  returned, 
the  house  searched,  and  other  inquiry  made,  on  account  of  her 
husband,  who  appeared  to  be  the  greatest  sufferer.  They  returned 
immediately  to  Danvers.  Last  Tuesday  died  in  this  Town  IMary 
Hathorne,  possessed  of  a  property  of  40,000  dollars.  She  was  a  d. 
of  William  Hathorne,  &  early  became  a  great  pedestrian   trader. 


422  DiAKY  OF  [March 

From  small  beginnings,  great  economy,  &  unceasing  attentions, 
she  acquired  a  great  interest.  She  had  few  female  attractions,  but 
was  far  from  any  natural  defects  of  person  or  understanding.  Her 
mind  was  not  cultivated,  her  passions  strong,  &  her  love  of  wealth 
boundless.  Her  life  has  been  shortened  by  an  intemperance  of 
which  she  had  too  many  examples  around  her.  She  never  was 
known  to  make  any  small  presents.  From  small  things  she  made 
great  savings,  but  friendship  could  not  render  her  liberal,  &  bounti- 
ful. She  never  forgot  an  injury,  but  she  was  not  apt  to  take  oifence. 
Her  mother  &  surviving  sisters  have  been  blessed  in  her  life  &  in 
her  death. 

27.  This  evening  for  the  first  time  our  New  Bell  rang  for  Fire. 
The  alarm  was  first  at  the  South  end  of  the  Town,  &  then  at  the 
Work  House  on  the  Common.  The  outhouses  were  consumed, 
which  with  their  contents  are  a  loss  to  the  Town  of  3,000  Dollars. 
Much  is  said  of  intention,  but  no  discovery  has  yet  been  made.  A 
Black  boy  who  put  fire  to  a  building  in  Portland  is  in  confinement 
upon  suspicion.  Some  supposed  it  done  by  fire  from  a  pipe.  Bell 
put  up  in  June  last. 

28.  Sunday.  Notes.  Elizabeth  Masury,  d.  of  her  Son,  long 
missing,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Brethren  at  sea.  Susanna  Sage,  d.  of  her 
husband,  pr.  for  her  sons  at  Sea.  Charles  Steele,  d.  of  his  Brother 
Joseph,  drowned  at  Andover.  Benj.  Brown  &  wife,  delivery,  pr.  for 
Brothers  &  friends  at  Sea.  At  Beverly,  some  of  the  first  Parish 
wished  to  prevent  their;  Pastor,  J.  McKeen,  from  accepting  the 
invitation  to  be  president  at  Bowdoin  College,  Maine,  &  urged  that 
his  annual  salary  of  two  hundred  pounds  during  his  labours  should 
be  continued  &  secured  during  life,  &  that  twelve  hundred  dollars 
by  Installments  should  be  paid  in  six  years.  This  obtained  by  a 
majority  of  two.  And  then  the  opposition  subscribed  3,000  D.  for 
a  new  meeting  House,  on  the  Common  near  the  old  one,  so  that  the 
result  has  not  been  favourable. 

29.  The  Black  boy  confined  for  the  putting  of  fire,  has  con- 
fessed it.  He  says  he  did  it  with  flint,  &  steel  &  oakum.  There 
is  a  strange  inconsistency  in  the  boy,  he  does  not  seem  malicious, 
nor  cunning,  nor  an  idiot.  A  characteristic  ignorance  which  yields 
to  propensity  in  everything.  I  received  a  most  valuable  letter  from 
good  Dr.  Maclintock*  which  will  go  far  towards  the  assistance  of 
the  Republican  interest.  Shall  I  be  right  in  publishing  it.  My 
friends  say  I  shall. 

31.  Great  talk  of  another  place  for  the  Work  House  besides 
the  Common.  Some  wish  for  Windmill  point,  &  some  for  a  part 
of  the  Neck  towards  the  South  river,  or  Salem  Harbour.  A 
Subscription  is  open.  It  is  said  an  agreement  has  been  made  for 
levelling  the  Common,  with  an  undertaker  for  11,000  Dollars*  The 
printer  of  the  Telegraphe  in  Boston  is  fined  200  Dollars  &  impris- 

•Of  Greenland.  N.  H. 


JUDGE  SAMUEL  CURWEN 
I  71  5-1  802. 

From  the  pastel   made  by   BIyth   in    1772   and   now   in  the 
possession  of  the   Essex   Institute. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,    D.    D.  423 

oned  for  3  months  for  calling  the  Chief  Justice,  Lord  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Common  Law  of  England. 

April  1  [1802].  No  fool  day  this  in  the  public  mind.  Elec- 
tioneering above  blood  heat.  The  Gazette  Printer  has  threatened 
the  Printer  of  the  Register  with  a  prosecution.  All  parties  inter- 
ested.    The  election  near. 

2.  Capt.  G.  West  who  died  in  this  Town  yesterday,  has  been  a 
very  successful  teacher  of  Navigation,  for  many  years,  &  since  he 
left  off  going  to  sea.  The  best  master  that  ever  I  knew  was  a  Mr. 
Smith,  who  had  been  a  pensioner  in  the  Greenwich  Hospital,  & 
who  upon  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1791  returned  to  England.  This 
Mr.  Samuel  Smith  had  great  practical  acquaintance  with  navigation, 
•&  a  great  fondness  for  mathematical  studies,  &  had  a  reputation 
advantageous  to  the  Town.  Upon  his  departure  Capt.  G.  West  en- 
gaged, but  he  had  not  the  same  mathematical  knowledge,  but  his 
auccess  was  sure  with  young  seamen.  Several  persons  undertook  to 
teach  navigation  but  tiieir  success  does  not  deserve  to  be  named. 

3.  The  last  day  of  asking,  &  political  interests  were  never  so 
seriously  engaged  among  us.  Emmons'  Fast  Sermon  describing 
Jefferson  under  the  odious  name  of  Jereboam,  was  distributed 
gratis.  The  Republicans  had  no  aid  in  this  way,  except  what  an 
extract  from  Dr.  Macclintock's  letter  in  the  Register  could  afford 
them.  Votes  are  openly  distributed.  The  general  wishes  are  that 
the  Electioneering  week  was  over.  The  Law  respecting  the  List  of 
qualified  voters,  which  is  to  be  exposed  in  every  part  of  the  Town, 
occasions  expence  &  trouble  &  great  uneasiness. 

4.  Sunday.  Notes.  Priscilla  Clark,  d.  of  her  Brother.  Mar- 
garet Edey,  d.  of  her  Brother  Clark's  Son.  Mary  Ropes,  delivery, 
pr.  for  husband,  son  &  friends  at  Sea. 

8.  The  Annual  State  Fast.  I  had  the  pleasure,  so  often  valued 
in  my  youth,  of  dining  upon  the  Dent  de  Lyon,*  one  of  the  richest 
herbs  of  our  pasture.  Capt.  Kindsman  arrived  this  day  having 
sold  his  Vessel. 

10.  Last  night  departed  this  life  Samuel  Curwin,  Esqr.,  »t. 
87.  He  graduated  at  Cambridge,  1735.  He  was  of  the  most  slen- 
der form,  I  ever  saw,  &  yet  the  most  active  old  man  to  be  seen  in 
our  streets.  He  was  a  merchant  in  Salem.  His  slender  habit  was 
exceedingly  irritable.  He  was  indifferent  to  nothing,  seized  vio- 
lently &  preserved  firmly.  The  times  of  the  American  Revolution 
were  no  times  for  him,  &  partly  by  timidity,  &  partly  from  an  hab- 
itual disinclination  for  all  popular  measures,  he  left  America  & 
went  to  England.  When  he  left  our  Country  he  possessed  a  Con- 
venient House  in  Essex  Street,  not  far  west  of  North  street,  &  he 
had  a  good  assortment  of  goods.  His  wife,  an  aunt  to  the  late  em- 
inent merchant  Thomas  Russel,  was  left  behind  with  the  property, 
&  being  not  too  well  acquainted  with  business   &   deluded   by   a 

•Dandelion. 


424  DIARY  OF  [April 

nephew  Russel  Weave,  there  was  almost  an  entire  sacrifice  of  the 
property.  The  remains  of  a  valuable  Library  were  sold  just  before 
his  return  by  his  Nephew  Richard  Ward,  Esqr,,  &  it  was  sacrificed. 
A  rich  Collection  of  Coins  was  robbed  of  its  best  pieces,  &  indeed 
things  were  in  such  a  state  as  must  have  been  disagreable  to  a  less 
irritable  man  than  Mr.  Curwin.  Mr.  Curwin  returned  to  Salem 
after  the  peace,  but  he  did  not  continue  long,  but  went  back  to 
England.  Still  his  love  of  his  native  home  returned  upon  him,  & 
as  his  wife  had  died,  in  his  first  absence,  he  resolved  to  die  in 
America.  His  distressed  finances  were  relieved  by  a  British  pen- 
sion &  he  lived  first  at  R.  Ward's,  then  at  S.  Curwin  Ward's,  & 
finally  died  at  Mr.  Pope's,  whose  wife  had  lived  formerly  in  Mr. 
Curwin's  family.  I  got  an  early  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Curwin 
upon  his  return,  &  frequently  had  him  at  my  house,  &  visited  him 
in  turn.  He  was  an  excellent  Antiquarian,  &  I  profited  much  from 
the  few  things  he  had  saved  from  the  destruction  which  befell  his 
library.  Cabinet  &  private  papers.  He  was  a  good  Classical  Latin 
Scholar,  well  read  in  History.  Had  conversed  much  with  men. 
Was  much  of  a  gentleman,  &  had  a  good  address.  He  appeared  in 
our  streets,  much  like  a  Patriarch.  The  English  tye  Wig,  the  long 
Scarlet  Cloak,  the  heavy  rings,  &  the  golden  headed  cane,  attracted 
notice  after  the  war,  tho'  it  was  the  best  dress  before  it,  for  persons 
of  condition. 

11.  Sunday.  Notes.  Martha  Palfray  with  her  Children,  d.  of 
her  husband,  &  the  death  of  her  Husband's  brother  Hunlock  Pal- 
fray. Wid.  Elizabeth  Murray,  d.  of  her  daughter  in  law  Murray. 
Wid.  Hanna  Keen,  d.  of  her  only  daughter  Murray.  Sarah  Sinclair, 
very  sick,  pr.  for  her  husband  at  Sea.  Joshua  Phippen  &  wife  & 
Children,  for  the  recovery  of  his  Son  from  a  sickness  consequent 
upon  his  sufferings  at  Cape  Cod,  pr.  for  two  Sons  at  Sea.  Joseph 
Webb  &  wife,  delivery,  pr.  for  Brothers  at  Sea.  William  Patterson 
&  wife,  delivery,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea. 

13.  Mr.  Curwin's  funeral  was  attended,  &  the  pall  supported  by 
the  six  ministers  of  the  Town,  Hopkins,  Fisher,  Bernard,  Prince, 
Bentley  &  Spaulding.  In  the  evening  a  fire  consunied  a  negro 
House  at  the  bottom  of  St.  Peter's  street.  A  negro  woman  perished 
in  the  flames.  The  will  of  Mr.  Curwin  had  the  same  effect  as  at- 
tends wills  in  general.  Some  of  the  relatives  would  not  attend  the 
funeral.  Of  late  we  have  had  several  such  contentions  among  the 
Masons,  Gardiners,  Hathornes,  &  now  among  the  Wards  as  the 
Curwin  family  name  is  extinct.  It  is  said  that  the  son  of  S.  C. 
Ward  is  to  bear  up  the  name  Samuel  Curwin. 

15.  Capt.  Stoddart  with  his  Company  including  64  Soldiers 
marched  through  Salem  this  morning  on  his  way  from  Newport  to 
Portsmouth.  Another  alarm  of  fire  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 
It  was  near  Cape  Driver,  in  River  street.  The  fire  began  in  a  small 
house  of  two  rooms  &  two  stories  &  in  the  upper  story.  The  family 


1802]  WILLIAM   BKNTLEY,   D.   D.  426 

were  sitting  below  &  did  not  discover  the  progress  of  the  fire,  till 
the  fire  burst  out.  All  the  beds  belonging  to  the  family,  consisting 
of  a  husband  &  wife  &  8  children  were  consumed,  &  everything  in 
the  Chamber.     The  house  belonged  to  ^Mr.  Woodberry,  Carpenter. 

16.  His  Excellency  William  Browne,  who  died  at  Westminster, 
England,  ait.  65,  was  born  in  Salem,  &  lived  there  with  reputation 
till  the  revolution  obliged  him  to  remove,  as  he  had  engaged  in  the 
measures  of  England  &  had  been  in  the  Court  &  Council.  He  was 
a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  in  1774,  &  Col.  of  the  first 
Regiment  in  Essex.  After  he  became  a  Refugee,  his  British  Majes- 
ty appointed  him  governour  of  Bermuda  &  from  this  command  he 
returned  to  England.  He  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1755.  Was 
a  representative  of  Salem  in  1765,  &  in  1768  when  the  House  would 
not  rescind.  He  then  fixed  his  choice  of  measures,  as  Gov.  Bernard 
then  dissolved  the  General  Court.  30  persons  in  Salem  approved  of 
his  willingness  to  rescind,  but  the  Town  justified  the  Court  &  sent 
to  the  new  Court  in  1769  new  Representatives.  In  1770,  Col. 
Brown  was  appointed  one  of  the  Mandamus  Council  &  would  not 
resign.  His  officers  in  the  Regiment  gave  up  their  commissions  & 
he  retired  to  Boston.  He  was  short,  &  of  a  full  habit,  &  remarka- 
ble for  large  legs,  by  which  he  had  a  distinction  from  another  W. 
B.  of  the  tovm.  It  was  supposed  that  the  favour  of  the  people  was 
so  great  towards  him,  that  he  might  have  returned  home  from  Bos- 
ton had  the  public  mind  been  properly  represented  to  him. 

17.  Had  agreed  to  exchange  with  Dr.  Lathrop  &  went  for  Bos- 
ton. Found  the  Turnpike*  engaged  the  public  attention,  but  the 
exact  course  of  it  is  not  yet  fixed.  One  of  the  Surveyors  told  me 
they  were  then  measuring  through  the  Town  of  Lynn.  The  new 
Tavern  house  by  Ballard's,  must  become  a  sacrifice,  &  undoubtedly 
it  is  much  to  be  pi-eferred  to  any  house  opened  for  entertainment 
on  the  road  from  Boston  to  Salem. 

18.  Sunday.  The  weather  rainy,  &  the  Congregation  thin.  The 
members  of  the  present  'New  Brick  Assembly  complain  of  the  small 
number.  The  Galleries  are  entirely  forsaken,  which  have  not  for 
forty  years  been  full.  The  Singing  poorly  supported.  In  this  part 
of  the  Town  the  largest  House  &  Assembly  is  in  the  New  North, 
which  has  much  less  number  in  the  Gallery  than  formerly,  tho'  full 
upon  the  pews  below.  In  the  Bennett  street  Meeting  House  under 
Dr.  Mather  was  for  many  years  the  smallest  assembly  I  ever  knew. 
It  is  now  crowded  by  the  Universalists.  The  first  Baptist  Church 
under  Condy  was  small,  it  is  now  crowded  by  Stillman's  friends. 
The  Second  Baptist  Church  under  Bownd,  Davis  &  Skillman  was 
small,  it  increased  under  Geyer,  but  has  been  enlarged  &  is  now 
filled  under  Baldwin.  It  seems  then  that  there  is  but  one  congre- 
gation more  thin  than  formerly,  &  indeed  the  New  Brick  was  as 
thin  before  the  war  iinder  Pemberton  as  it  now  is,  but   the  whole 

•The  Salem  and  Boston  Turnpike. 


426  DIARY  OF  [April 

old  North  Church  which  joined  it  upon  the  destruction  of  their 
Meeting  House  in  the  Siege  is  now  swallowed  up  &  totally  lost. 
The  cause  of  Lathrop's  decreasing  popularity  is  to  be  sought  in  him- 
self.  He  began  as  a  superficial  preacher  with  a  popular  manner. 
He  had  an  excellent  person,  but  not  pleasing  elocution.  His  heart 
was  more  sure  than  his  head.  As  he  became  acquainted  with  life 
he  renounced  his  prejudices.  He  consented  to  baptise  adults  by 
immersion,  &  he  did  in  his  own  Meeting  House.  The  tub  baptism 
gave  offence  to  the  Psedobaptists,  &  won  none  of  their  opposers. 
He  adopted  the  Universal  Scheme  of  Chauncy  &  Clarke,  but  he 
had  not  their  talents,  &  so  never  gained  the  more  rational,  as  near 
to  Murray,  he  never  could  the  Antinomian  Universalists.  He  con- 
sequently has  been  picked  by  all,  &  is  left  in  the  hands  of  those 
who  accept  a  tax  upon  friendship  rather  than  the  choice  of  a 
preacher.  His  son  is  abroad  in  India,  &  informs  us,  well  patronised 
in  Calcutta.  He  publishes  a  gazette,  &  promises  a  translation  of 
Persian  works.  The  Doctor  is  an  amiable  man,  &  his  manners  are 
very  agreable,  but  eminence  in  his  profession  will  be  no  part  of 
his  just  praise. 

19.  Took  an  opportunity  to  visit  all  parts  of  Boston.  I  went 
round  the  North  End  before  Breakfast.  They  are  widening  at  the 
place  of  the  late  fire,  at  the  bottom  of  Cross  street  where  the  Street 
was  narrow.  The  mean  buildings  which  have  been  consumed,  have 
certainly  been  overrated.  The  town  will  gain  by  the  improvements 
in  the  streets  &  buildings.  The  Constitution  was  at  Union  wharf 
undergoing  great  repairs.  This  Ship  was  built  in  Boston.  Mr. 
Revere  at  his  foundery  in  Lynn  Street,  formerly  called  New  Guinea, 
has  not  only  cast  Bells,  the  number  of  which  he  assures  me  is  al- 
ready 54,  but  Cannon,  &  he  is  now  making  experiments  upon  Sheet 
Copper  having  already  succeeded  in  casting  spikes  &  copper  bolts.  He 
is  an  enterprising  mechanic.  This  part  of  Boston  by  a  wide  street 
&  good  buildings  has  become  a  very  pleasant  part  of  the  Town, 
from  having  been  the  most  filthy  &  neglected.  In  passing  to  the 
south  part  of  the  Town  I  visited  that  part  of  Long  Wharf  upon 
which  the  stores  lately  consumed  did  stand.  They  were  mean,  & 
the  brick  buildings  now  to  be  raised  will  be  a  great  security  to  this 
part  of  the  Town.  I  passed  over  the  neck  &  saw  the  increasing 
wealth  of  the  south  end,  so  called,  but  the  growth  of  West  Boston 
by  the  new  Bridge  from  Cambridge  is  very  great.  Where  the  pop- 
ulation was  thin,  since  my  remembrance,  &  there  were  fields  & 
marshes,  are  now  splendid  houses  &  crowded  Streets.  The  Rope 
walks  I  visited  &  found  in  excellent  order.  They  lay  up  as  they 
call  it  by  horses  &  wheelwork,  which  they  obtain  by  patent.  I 
visited  Dunlap's  Brewery  which  is  near  the  Causeway  in  West  Bos- 
ton, &  is  upon  an  extensive  scale.  I  saw  also  the  soap  &  candle 
works  at  the  south  end.  The  new  wharf  near  the  Charity  Build- 
ings at  Barton's  point  has  given  a  new  face  to  this  formerly  neg- 
lected part  of  the  Town. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  427 

20.  I  visited  Trinity  Church  &  heard  Parker's  Sermon  to  the 
Episcopal  Charitable  Societ)''  as  it  was  Easter  Tuesday.  There  was 
no  public  Contribution,  which  would  have  been  small,  had  it  been 
encouraged.  Yesterday  I  went  into  the  vestry  of  Christ  Church  to 
see  the  engravings  of  l)r.  Cutler,  formerly  of  that  Church,  &  Dr. 
Walter,  also  the  late  Incumbent.  I  saw  there  also  Dr.  Brinton's  of 
Halifax  &  Dr.  Caner's  of  King's  Chapel,  I  find  that  of  the  four 
extemporaneous  preachers  of  Boston,  Dr.  West,  Mr.  Murray,  the 
Universalist,  Dr.  Stillman  &  Baldwin  the  Baptists,  my  clerical 
friends  prefer  Baldwin,  but  as  it  appears  to  me  from  prejudice.  It 
is  agreed  on  all  hands,  that  Baldwin  has  added  nothing  to  his  repu- 
tation by  his  Sermon  on  the  death  of  Gov.  Philips.  His  own  hearers 
say,  he  does  not  shine  among  the  Keaders,  as  he  read  his  sermon 
on  that  occasion.  There  is  something  free  in  Murray's  manner. 
Something  sweet  &  ready  in  Stillman.  Too  much  study  &  too  little 
animation  but  some  strength  in  Dr.  West,  &  there  is  less  accuracy, 
but  much  animation  in  Baldwin.  Among  my  private  friends  I 
was  happy.  Old  friend  Philips,  aet.  83,  gave  me  one  hour  of  his 
company.  My  Brethren  &  Sisters  met  at  my  Father's  &  gave  me 
their  affectionate  good  wishes.  My  father  is  now  at  73  &  my 
Mother  at  62,  but  they  will  not  reach  the  age  of  my  g.  Father 
Bentley,  87.     Returned  to  Salem. 

21.  Found  the  Council  still  busy  at  the  Tabernacle,  but  have  not 
yet  heard  of  the  result.  The  public  opinion  does  not  seem  very 
favourable  to  the  talents  of  the  members  either  in  Council  or  in  the 
pulpits  which  they  have  filled  in  the  evenings  after  their  work. 
Mr.  John  Punchard,  Shoemaker,  has  taken  the  part  of  the  Church. 
Mr.  Spaulding  has  not  made  a  very  able  defence.  But  as  I  have 
not  visited  the  Coimcil  I  can  only  judge  by  comparing  the  opin- 
ions which  have  been  delivered.  Orthodoxy  has  not  gotten  great 
help  by  this  list.  Dr.  Eliot  thinks  that  we  shall  get  a  Baptist 
Church  into  Salem,  which  the  Orthodox  do  not  intend.  We  shall 
see  soon  how  things  are. 

22.  Had  the  Pleasure  of  seeing  &  hearing  Dr.  Oliver's  Organ. 
It  ia  the  first  ever  built  in  this  Town.  The  pipes  were  imported 
from  London  in  separate  stops.  The  frame  is  handsome,  exhibiting 
a  front  of  5  by  8  feet  probably,  with  pedals,  exhibiting  the  pipes  in 
a  central  Oval,  &  with  two  towers  on  each  side,  surmounted  with 
some  instruments  of  music  in  high  relief  with  good  effect.  The 
wood  work  was  finished  by  that  ingenious  mechanic  Mr.  Macintire. 
The  Dulciana  stop  was  fine,  &  worthy  of  any  instrument.  When 
this  is  pronounced  to  be  the  first  it  must  be  understood,  completed. 
A  Mr.  Pickering  Dodge,  had  begun  one  upon  a  smaller  scale,  &  with 
fewer  steps,  importmg  the  pipes,  &  finishing  it  at  his  leisure.  Dr. 
Oliver  has  made  provision  for  several  stops  which  he  has  not  yet 
received,  &  so  has  Mr.  Dodge,  but  Mr.  Dodge  has  not  proceeded  so 
far  as  the  Doctor. 


428  DIARY  OF  [April 

24.  The  levelling  of  the  Common  continues  with  advantage. 
The  Trees  are  disposed  so  that  the  Elms  should  be  30  feet  apart,  & 
between  them  two  Lorabardy  poplars. 

25.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Elizabeth  Phippen,  d.  of  her  hus- 
band, pr.  for  a  Son  at  Sea.  Wid.  Catherine  Shad,  d.  of  her  youngest 
Son.  We  have  the  news  of  the  death  of  Dr.  Henry  Purcell,  rector 
of  St.  Michael's  Church,  set.  63.  The  Doctor  had  much  address  as 
a  gentleman,  &  all  the  manners  of  rakes  without  any  fault,  but  of 
dissipation.  '<  Lay  there  divinity"  said  he  taking  o&  his  coat,  "till 
I  flog  the  fellow."  He  once  gave  "the  Devil,"  as  a  toast  at  an  en- 
tertainment, for  said  he,  we  often  toast  not  those  we  love  but  those 
who  find  us  employment  without  any  great  good  will  to  us.  With 
every  effort  I  have  not  been  able  to  get  a  tolerable  account  of  the 
Council  in  this  Town  at  the  Tabernacle.  No  objection  was  made 
against  the  moral  character  of  Mr.  Spaulding,  and  no  one  offered 
against  his  preaching.  The  difficulty  was,  should  he  have  a  nega- 
tive on  the  church,  sufficient  to  stay  the  Church  as  he  expressed  it, 
when  he  could  not  consent  with  the  majority.  The  people  opposed 
&  produced  an  article  in  their  first  agreement  by  which  they  held 
the  full  power  of  determining  by  their  own  majority,  the  pastor 
having  only  a  single  vote.  To  this  the  Pastor  would  not  now  agree. 
The  Council  therefore  agreed  to  consent  to  a  dismission,  &  this  day 
he  preached  his  farewell  sermon  to  a  full  house,  &  the  relation  is 
dissolved.  Mr.  Spaulding  proposes  to  continue  to  preach  wherever 
invited.  What  a  whole  fortnight  has  been  spent  about,  I  pretend 
not  to  say,  as  I  never  was  a  hearer. 

29.  At  Portland  has  died  Joseph  Hooper,  Esq"".,  set.  44.  He  was 
of  my  class  in  the  University  of  Cambridge,  &  was  distinguished 
by  the  attention  to  his  person  &  the  modesty  of  his  manners.  After 
he  graduated  in  1777,  he  went  upon  a  farm  in  Windham,  Maine, 
belonging  to  his  Uncle  Blaney,  from  whom  he  had  great  expecta- 
tions. By  the  derangement  of  the  affairs  of  his  Uncle  he  was  dis- 
appointed, &  at  length  married  &  moved  to  Portland.  There  he  be- 
came a  Schoolmaster,  Justice  of  the  Peace  &  Episcopal  reader.  But 
at  length  he  lost  his  wife,  became  intemperate,  lost  all  decency  of 
character,  lived  on  his  wife's  interest,  became  neglected,  miserable 
&  at  last  died  in  contempt.  Curious  incident  happened  yesterday. 
As  a  Company  were  attending  a  vendue  of  the  goods  of  Ichabod 
Glover,  lately  deceased,  in  the  chamber  of  the  dwelling  house  of  the 
deceased  which  was  partly  new,  but  not  finished,  the  floor  gave 
way,  &  the  whole  company  of  forty  persons  with  the  furniture  & 
articles  for  sale  fell  down  together.  No  person  was  killed,  several 
were  wounded,  many  bruised  &  all  frightened.  The  House  is  in 
Federal  street. 

30.  This  day  Capt.  Edward  Gibaut,  set.  74,  left  Salem  for  his 
new  home  at  Gloucester.  He  is  gone  with  his  wife  to  live  with  his 
only  Child  &  Son  at  Gloucester.     In  his  family  I  became  intimate 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  429 

iu  1783.  His  first  wife,*  a  Crowninshield,  was  one  of  the  most 
motherly  of  women.  I  have  kept  up  the  connection  for  19  years. 
It  will  be  impossible  to  be  so  intimate  &  happy  in  any  other  family. 
He  was  from  the  Island  of  Jersey,  came  in  his  youth  &  married 
his  masters  daughter. 

]May  1  [1802].  Supplied  yesterday  a  new  gage  to  Mr.  Wil- 
liams at  the  Bridge  to  notice  the  tide,  &  to  be  assured  of  its  actual 
course  in  this  vicinity.  ^Mr.  Timothy  Hunt  Avho  has  engaged  to 
level  the  Common  &  has  had  great  success,  was  one  of  the  tJnited 
Irishmen.  He  has  laboured  upon  the  Middlesex  Canal  for  several 
years  &  has  a  certiiicate  from  Col.  Loammi  Baldwin,  who  superin- 
tends that  Canal,  that  he  is  able  to  do  more  work  than  any  man  who 
has  laboured  in  his  service,  &  is  capable  of  overseeing  the  work  for 
which  he  has  engaged  in  Salem.  He  is  to  receive  eleven  hundred 
dollars  &  to  find  everything  he  may  use.  He  employs  from  12  to 
15  hands  &  succeeds  beyond  all  expectation.  He  says  that  if  he 
were  to  remove  earth  70  rods  he  should  prefer  the  wheelbarrow. 
He  is  of  middling  stature,  strong,  but  not  large  built,  but  does 
great  labour  with  great  ease,  &  turns  readily  to  all  parts  of  the 
work.  The  quantity  of  labour  which  he  is  able  to  finish  with  his 
men  in  the  day  is  surprising.  They  never  perform  two  things  to- 
gether. If  they  wheel  empty  barrows,  they  do  not  wheel  loaded 
barrows.  If  they  dig  they  do  not  wheel.  If  the  distance  is  consid- 
erable it  is  divided,  but  the  motion  is  incessant.  The  occasional 
labour  of  levelling,  moving  the  planks,  providing,  &c.  he  does  by 
his  own  hands. 

2.  Sunday.  In  Beverly,  the  Subscription  for  a  new  Meeting 
House  has  gained  6000  Dollars  of  which  Mr.  Burleigh  gives  one 
thousand.  In  Salem,  a  Subscription  has  obtained  for  a  Meeting 
House  for  Mr.  Spaulding,  the  Minister  ejected  from  the  Tabernacle. 
It  was  supposed  that  his  party  was  so  weak  as  to  make  no  effort, 
but  3900  Dollars  have  been  already  obtained.  Mr.  Smith,  a  Brother 
in  Law  of  Mr.  Spaulding,  gives  one  thousand  Dollars.  Mr.  Spauld- 
ing preaches  this  day  at  Rowley  &  his  former  society  are  supplied 
by  Mr.  Litchfield  of  Carlisle.  The  Society  under  Mr.  Hopkins 
have  a  subscription  for  a  new  &  larger  Meeting  House  under  which 
the  amount  of  5,000  Dollars  has  obtained. 

3.  In  the  elections  of  this  day  great  exertions  were  made  &  many 
dirty  tricks  practiced  by  the  high  party,  which  were  publickly  de- 
tected. Such  as,  one  alien  Dutch  man  accepted,  &  another  refused. 
Both  rejected  at  length.  A  Voucher  for  a  man,  whose  family  never 
lived  in  town.  A.  Voucher  for  a  Negro  who  had  not  one  farthing 
of  property,  &  the  men  were  no  less  than  a  Derby,  an  Orne,  &  a 
Marston.     The  list  of  the  high  party  obtained. 

4.  A  military  day  for  the  Companies  of  the  Regiment,  under 

•Sarah,  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Crowninshield. 


430  DIARY  OF  [May 

their  respective  Captains.  The  Artillery  was  out  with  them.  Capt. 
Folger  has  reached  Salem  from  a  north  west  coast  voyage  in  which 
he  has  had  great  success,  May  3,  in  Ship  Minerva.  She  sailed  from 
Salem,  October,  1799  after  seals  &  made  her  voyage  by  the  way  of 
Canton.  He  came  from  Canton  in  153  days,  laden  with  Teas  & 
Nankeens.  The  Ship  was  owned  by  Capt.  N.  West  &  Clifford 
Crowninshield. 

6.  Very  convenient  regulations  have  been  adopted  by  the  Board 
of  health.  No  animal  substances  or  filth  are  to  be  suffered  in  any 
street  or  passage,  or  on  any  shore.  No  vaults  are  to  be  opened 
without  licence.  Oysters  not  to  be  sold  from  1  June  to  1  Oct.  No 
fish  to  be  sold  but  at  the  stalls,  excepting  salmon,  live  &  small  fish, 
&  all  fish  must  be  cleaned  before  they  are  brought  into  the  town. 
No  cloathing  or  beds  brought  from  infectious  places  without  licence. 
Several  willows  have  been  added  to  the  number  planted  last  year 
around  the  Health  Hospital  on  the  Neck. 

7.  Hon.  John  Lowell  Esq'^,  aet.  59,  died  at  Koxbury.  Chief  Judge 
of  Circuit  Court.  He  had  a  characteristic  impetuosity,  still  a  frank- 
ness. He  was  a  member  of  the  Corporation  of  Harvard  College. 
He  had  been  much  tortured  by  the  gout,  &  intended  to  take  a  voy- 
age to  England.  He  was  in  Salem  about  a  fortnight  past.  Son  of 
Rev**  John  Lowell  of  Newbury  Port. 

8.  A  man  drowned  near  the  wharves,  it  is  supposed  by  accident. 
He  was  found  floating  in  an  erect  posture  with  his  hat  on,  &  was 
seen  by  the  watch  in  the  streets  after  midnight.  He  was  not  care- 
ful of  himself.  Joseph  Parnell,  set.  48.  Mr.  Spaulding  tells  me  he 
shall  leave  the  Town  for  the  present  certainly.  Capt.  Michael 
Smothers  returned  to  his  house  &  sat  down  to  dine  &  expired  at  the 
table,  set.  74. 

9.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mercy  Townsend  &  her  children,  appre- 
hended death  of  her  husband  Samuel  Townsend,  who  has  been  miss- 
ing eighteen  months,  at  sea.  Mercy  Welman,  d.  of  her  Son  in  law, 
S.  Townsend.     Nathaniel  Weston  &  wife,  her  delivery. 

10.  Capt.  Folger,  who  lately  returned  from  his  Voyage  in  the 
Ship  Minerva,  I  am  assured,  is  the  first  Circumnavigator  from  Salem. 
He  went  round  Cape  Horn,  engaged  in  a  sealing  Voyage,  carried 
his  skins  to  Canton  &  returned  round  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  with 
a  China  Cargo.  The  whole  voyage  has  been  completed  in  eighteen 
months.  Another  Vessel  sailed  at  the  same  time,  &  has  reached  a 
better  market  at  the  same  port,  but  she  has  not  yet  returned  so  that 
the  Minerva  has  the  first  claims  to  fame. 

11.  A  description  of  Beverly  not  long  since,  before  the  Cabot 
family  established  itself  in  the  place.  An  old  Meeting  house  &  a 
few  scattered  houses  were  upon  the  great  road,  with  all  the  appear- 
ances of  a  farming  town  in  the  memory  of  the  present  generation. 
The  brick  &  elegant  Houses  have  all  been  built  since  I  came  to  Sa^ 
lem  &  since  I  preached  at  Beverly.     The  Wharves  have  been  put 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  431 

into  an  entirely  new  condition.  The  old  House  of  Col.  Hale  now 
standing  &  the  mansion  House  of  Rev"^  Blowers  since  burnt  down, 
were  the  only  houses  that  had  the  shew  of  wealth,  &  these  only  in 
the  more  grand  propoi-tions.  Not  in  any  thing  modern.  Most  of 
the  old  buildings  have  been  taken  away. 

16.  Sunday.  Jonathan  Brown  &  wife,  d.  of  eldest  daughter,  pr. 
for  a  friend  at  Sea.  She  was  addressed  by  B[enjamin]  Waters. 
Jonathan  Twiss  &  wife,  d.  of  their  g.  daughter  Brown. 

17.  Mr.  G.  Ropes'  dumb  boy*  is  very  successful  at  painting. 
He  is  instructed  by  Mr.  Corn6.  The  most  successful  of  our  Schol- 
ars under  this  Italian  is  Anstis  Stone,  second  daughter  of  Robert 
Stone.  Her  larkspur,  rose,  &  bust  of  Bonaparte  do  her  great  hon- 
our.    The  head  of  the  bust  I  admire. 

18.  The  Lobsters  are  taken,  but  small.  The  Perch  are  taken  in 
Boston  bay,  but  not  yet  on  our  shores.  PoUuck  are  in  plenty. 
Many  tusk  are  taken,  and  an  abundance  of  Cod,  &  particularly  Had- 
dock. The  season  is  backward.  Cows  go  this  day  upon  the  neck. 
It  is  said  that  it  is  agreed  to  call  the  Common,  which  now  is  almost 
levelled  &  railled,  Washington  Square.  This  is  better  than  walk- 
ing in  common. 

21.  Mr.  Hunt  has  succeeded  in  levelling  the  Common.  The 
Subscription  is  not  sufficient  to  answer  all  demands  &  is  to  be  re- 
newed. Col.  Derby  deserves  all  praise.  The  town  have  granted 
leave  to  widen  Pleasant  Street.  The  opposition  was  so  great  as  to 
require  polling  the  house,  till  Mr.  Gray  declared  himself  &  then  it 
totally  ceased.  In  consequence  of  this  vote  of  yesterday,  the  Work 
house  fence  is  taken  in  towards  the  House. 

22.  Subscription  for  elegant  gates  to  the  Washington  Square, 
alias  Common. 

23.  Sunday.  Attended  funeral  of  a  child  of  one  Nutting,  High 
Street.  Adoniram  Jutson  was  installed  12  May,  in  3*^  Parish  in 
Plymouth,  old  Colony.  This  man  came  first  into  our  neighborhood 
&  was  ordained  at  Maiden.  The  opposition  was  so  powerful  as  to 
oblige  him  soon  to  remove,  &  he  afterwards  settled  at  Wenham. 
In  that  place  there  was  not  great  opposition,  but  soon  prejudices 
arose  against  his  manner  as  too  severe  in  his  family,  &  finally  he 
obtained  a  dismission.  He  has  now  formed  a  new  Society  in  Ply- 
mouth from  a  part  of  Dr.  Robins's  parish,  who,  engaged  by  his  en- 
thusiara,  have  not  a  preference  for  Mr.  Kendall,  his  successor,  a 
more  catholic  man.  Capt.  Gibaut  talks  of  introducing  a  Minister 
into  Old  Town  Parish,  Gloucester.  I  proposed  to  him  to  have  one 
person  for  the  three  societies  of  Old  Town,  of  Squam  &  Sandy  Bay. 
The  Universalists  have  not  had  stated  preaching  in  the  harbour 
so-called  for  sometime,  &  no  preaching  for  many  months. 
Mr.   Forbes,   the    incumbent,    by    a    decided    part  in    the  Ham- 

•George  Ropes,  1788-IS19. 


432  DIARY  OF  [May 

ilton  interest,  will  unite  to  the  Universalists  all  the  re- 
publicans. The  first  difficulty  with  Mr,  Murray,  now  of  Boston,  is 
not  at  an  end.  These  were  all  regularly  settled  parishes  formerly. 
The  removal  of  Trade  into  the  harbour  impoverished  Old  Town,  so 
that  no  minister  has  succeded  Mr.  Rogers.  The  indiscretions  of 
Mr.  Wyeth  &  Mr.  Parsons  divided  them  at  Squam.  Mr.  Cleveland 
in  the  time  of  the  war  left  Sandy  Bay,  &  many  of  them  are  not  will- 
ing to  receive  him  upon  his  return. 

24.  My  old  Schoolmaster  who  taught  me  writing,  Mr.  John 
Tileston,  was  with  me.  He  has  been  in  that  character  in  Boston 
about  40  years.  In  1766  I  was  put  under  his  care,  &  when  Mr. 
Hunt  entered  the  North  Grammar  School  upon  the  resignation  of 
Mr.  Wiswall,  I  was  put  under  him,  continuing  to  learn  writing  & 
arithmetic  from  Mr,  Tileston.  In  Salem,  Mr.  Fiske,  tho*  he  left  the 
School  &  died  in  the  Ministry,  he  was  75.  Mr.  Norris  died  at  70, 
Mr.  Epes  at  73,  but  not  in  the  School.  Mr.  Nutting  at  96,  but  not 
in  the  school.  Mr.  E.  Chever  of  Boston  died  in  1708,  aged  94,  & 
spent  70  years  in  a  School.  Master  Williams  who  succeeded  him 
was  in  years,  &  so  was  Master  John  Lovell  who  died  in  Nova  Sco- 
tia, retiring  from  the  country  at  the  revolution.  Master  Swetzer  of 
Charleston  was  above  80  years  when  he  died.  I  have  elsewhere 
noticed  his  age  exactly  as  I  was  personally  acquainted  with  him. 
Mr.  Flint  continued  a  Tutor  of  College  for  many  years  &  died  aged 
above  80. 

25.  Capt.  Folger  was  with  me,  who  has  been  a  voyage  on  the 
Great  Ocean,  &  the  first  from  this  port.  He  is  from  Nantucket,  & 
of  the  Society  of  Friends.  He  assures  me  that  they  stopped  on  the 
American  coast  about  a  degree  south  of  Chiloe,  &  then  sailed  for 
Massasuero,  where  he  took  his  seals.  He  wintered  south  of  Lima. 
On  his  way  to  Canton  he  stopped  at  the  Marquesas  &  at  the  Island 
of  Christina,  &  so  pursued  his  course  onward.  His  sealing  voyage 
was  supposed  to  be  very  productive.  Attended  the  funeral  of  a 
Mrs.  Pratt,  High  street,  set.  28.     She  was  an  Easties. 

26.  Went  in  the  Stage  to  Boston.  Attended  &  heard  the  ser- 
mon of  Rev*^  Mr,  Baldwin  &  dined  with  Mr.  Isaac  White  who  in- 
vited my  Father,  &c.  Went  through  the  Common  at  4  o'clock  & 
found  the  Mall  crowded,  but  no  disorder  or  intemperance  at  so  early 
an  hour.  Visited  West  Boston.  Was  kindly  received  at  Mr,  Eaton's. 
Saw  his  beautiful  garden  &  grass  plot  &  arrangements.  Then 
walked  to  his  nursery  of  Lombardy  Poplars,  The  ground  he  has 
raised  three  feet  by  the  dirt  carried  by  the  Town  upon  the  spot  he 
bas  redeemed  from  the  sea. 

27.  Instead  of  attending  to  Convention  I  attended  at  the  Ven- 
due in  Kilby  street,  held  by  Col.  Bradford,  INIarshal  of  the  District, 
at  which  was  to  begin  the  sale  of  a  valuable  Library  of  nearly  4000 
volumes,  purchased  by  John  Pickering  in  Europe.  As  several  gen- 
tlemen of  Boston  had  appropriated  one  thousand  dollars  to  be  laid 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  433 

out  in  Books  purchased  from  this  Library  to  be  a  donation  to 
Princeton  College,  New  Jersey,  the  price  of  the  rare  &  curious 
books  was  well  kept  up,  so  that  I  made  no  purchases  of  any  conse- 
quence.    I  spent  the  day  in  this  service. 

28.  I  visited  Mr.  "White's  Bookstore  &  made  such  purchases  as 
I  thought  best.  Then  visited  Mr.  Turell's  Museum.  This  ingenious 
man  is  by  his  business,  a  watchmaker,  &  has  a  strong  attachment 
to  natural  history  which  has  prevented  all  success  in  his  business 
by  detaching  his  mind  from  it.  The  upper  room  in  which  Mr. 
Nichols  formerly  kept  his  Bookstore,  Mr.  Freeman  generously  en- 
gaged to  be  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of  a  Cabinet  of  natural 
history.  Many  articles  have  been  indulged  Mr.  Turell  from  the 
Collections  of  the  Historical  Society.  He  has  some  minerals,  in- 
sects, &  medals,  many  Indian  Curiosities,  &  has  many  wishes  for 
his  success.  He  is  a  descendant  from  Dr.  Coleman,  by  Revd.  Turell 
of  Medford,  &  is  a  g.  grandchild.  The  room  in  which  the  Museum 
is  kept  is  over  the  old  School,  called  Holbrooke's  Writing  School,  & 
kept  by  Mr.  Carter  till  the  new  School  was  built  in  School  street, 
where  the  old  Manse  for  Schoolmasters  once  stood.  It  is  at  the 
meeting  of  Tremont  &  Court  street,  east  of  Femberton's  hill. 

29.  Capt.  Sage  lost  one  child  last  night,  &  another  this  evening, 
with  what  is  called  the  throat  distemper.  Both  were  highly  con- 
vulsed. 

30.  Sunday.  Note.  Robert  Bedne  &  wife,  his  return,  pr.  on 
d.  of  her  Brother.  Three  funerals  this  evening,*  Mrs.  Ward  & 
Sage's  two  children.  On  Tuesday  last,  James  Bowers  was  ordained 
in  Trinity  Church,  Boston,  by  Bishop  Bass.  He  is  the  incumbent 
at  Marblehead.  The  novelty  of  a  Bishop's  ordination  does  not  col- 
lect, tho'  notice  is  given  in  the  gazettes,  even  the  small  number  to 
be  found  at  a  common  lecture.  Upon  attending  the  sale  of  Mr. 
Pickering's  classical  collection  of  Books,  I  found  very  few  minis- 
ters &  fewer  still  who  made  any  purchases.  I  am  at  present  of 
opinion,  that  the  declamations  of  the  Pulpit  against  Philosophy,  by 
so  many  who  are  strangers  to  it,  will  eventually  prevent  classical 
studies.  The  church  tried  the  experiment  &  took  the  alarm  &  the 
awful  consequences  to  literature  are  well  known  from  the  early 
ages  of  its  history.  Mr.  Motteyt  of  Lynnfield  feels  distressed  by 
the  desertions  of  some  of  his  former  friends  to  the  Baptists  from 
his  want  of  zeal  for  uncandid  opinions.  The  boundless  &  ill  di- 
rected zeal  of  Mr.  Sanborne  of  Reading  has  been  no  service  to  this 
amiable  &  true  Christian.  His  parish  is  very  small  at  best  &  they 
had  been  long  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Adams,  who  was  vibrating 
between  the  fool  &  the  mad  man  all  his  days,  as  I  was  assured  by 
the    worthy  but  whimsical  Dr.    John  Perkins,  who  lived  several 

•i.  e.  afternoon. 

tBom  in  Salem  May  14, 1756.    His  father  was  a  native  of  Jersey  and  spelled  bis  name 
LaMottais. 


434  DIARY  OP  [June 

years  in  the  Parish.  This  Dr.  John  Perkins  was  a  sincere  Chris- 
tian. He  has  no  public  education  but  a  very  philosophic  turn  of 
mind,  as  his  publications  on  comets  &  will,  may  discover.  But  he 
could  not  distinguish  the  bounds  of  credulity,  &  died  at  last  in  a 
great  age  a  victim  to  it.  A  neighbour  declaring  that  he  had  seen 
the  Dr.  that  day  in  a  place  in  which  he  had  not  actually  been,  the 
Dr.  considered  it  as  a  notice  of  death,  announced  it  as  such  to  his 
friends  &  soon  died.  I  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him.  He 
possessed  a  very  handsome  library  out  of  which  he  made  me  several 
donations.  He  had  the  least  credulity  in  common  philosophic  opin- 
ions of  any  man  of  his  times,  was  eminent  in  his  profession,  & 
wanted  only  a  regular  education  to  have  given  him  celebrity. 

June  5  [1802].  The  reply  of  the  House  to  the  Governour  mod- 
erate. We  do  not  expect  the  same  from  the  Senate  as  the  debates 
have  been  long  &  warm  upon  their  reply.  Mr.  P.  of  the  Senate 
from  this  Town  has  just  sense  enough  &  zeal  enough  to  be  tool  for 
some  hotheads,  who  undertake  to  direct  him.  Several  arrivals 
among  whom  S.  Derby  from  the  East  Indies  &  Japan.  Yoimg  S. 
Rantoul  who  took  a  voyage  for  his  health  to  the  Mediterranean  died 
on  his  outward  passage.  He  was  a  dutiful  son  &  deserving  of  love. 
He  had  kept  an  Apothecary's  Shop  in  Beverly  with  his  Brother  & 
then  in  Salem  on  the  corner  of  Market  street  in  Essex  S.  But  his 
health  had  wasted  beyond  recovery.  Silent,  diligent,  honest,  sober, 
discreet. 

6.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Hannah  Mascoll  &  Children,  d.  of 
her  Daughter  Sinclair  &  of  her  g.  children,  pr.  for  Son  in  Law  at 
Sea.  Deborah  Sage,  d.  of  two  children,  pr.  for  Husband  &  son  at 
Sea.  Samuel  Silsbee,  &  wife,  d.  of  children  of  D,  Sage,  pr.  for  Son 
&  g.  Son  at  Sea.  John  Emmerton  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Mother  "Ward. 
Luke  Heard  &  wife  &  son,  d.  of  her  mother  Ward  &  for  his  wife 
sick. 

10.  I  took  a  walk  to  Lynn  farms  &  took  tea  with  some  Friends 
at  Northey's.  He  is  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  but  of  good  natural 
understanding.  Allen  has  begun  the  long  proposed  plan  of  empty- 
ing the  pond  formed  within  the  bank  thrown  up  by  the  sea,  by  a 
a  covered  duct,  by  which  he  may  possess  between  twenty  &  thirty 
acres  of  valuable  land.  Philip's,  near  the  head  of  Bartlet's  beach, 
have  painted  their  house,  which  adds  much  to  its  appearance  in  this 
elevated  situation.  The  estate  of  Col.  Fowle  is  altogether  changed 
for  the  better.  Indeed  the  agricultural  interest  is  much  better  un- 
derstood than  formerly,  &  principally  from  the  reduced  size 
of  farms. 

11.  In  company  of  Mrs.  Apthorp  of  N.  S.,  a  daughter  of  Dr. 
Prince  formerly  of  Salem,  who  has  lately  returned  from  St.  John's 
to  Medford  &  whose  Son  has  married  a  daughter  of  the  late  E.  H. 
Derby,  Esqr.  &  has  removed  from  Salem  to  Boston.  There  were 
many  things  to  praise.     She  spake  highly  of  the  wooden  Church 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  436 

which  has  been  erected  at  St.  John's,  as  in  a  style  of  elegance,  not 
common  in  America.  An  organ  is  expected  for  this  Church.  Dr. 
Mather  Byles,  formerly  of  Christ  Church  in  Boston,  is  the  present 
Incumbent.  His  Son  in  Jamaica  is  said  to  be  in  affluent  circum- 
stances. Timothy  Dexter  of  Newbury  Port  was  with  me  this  day. 
This  singular  man  has  presented  his  "  Pickle  to  the  knowing  ones  " 
to  the  Governour  &  made  a  distribution  of  this  farago  farraginum 
among  the  first  Characters.  It  is  impossible  not  to  call  him  a  lun- 
atic sui  quo  ad  hoc.  His  intemperance  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
the  original  cause  of  his  follies,  as  they  appear  in  his  whole  char- 
acter, &  in  his  whole  life. 

13.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Rantoul  &  children,  d.  of  her  son 
Samuel  abroad,  pr.  for  ab.  sons  &  friends.  Mary  Preston,  d.  of  her 
g.  son  S.  Eantoul  &  for  g.  sons  at  Sea,  Mary  Berry,  delivery,  hus- 
band at  Sea.  The  father  of  S.  Rantoul  sustained  an  excellent 
character  &  died  just  before  I  came  to  Salem.  His  widow  lived  in 
the  same  house  in  which  I  first  dwelt.  The  Father  left  a  good  in- 
terest &  to  his  heirs  belongs  the  western  corner  of  Market  street  in 
Essex  street,  at  which  Samuel  kept  an  apothecary's  shop.  Robert 
keeps  an  Apothecary's  Shop  in  Beverly.  My  friend,  John  Phil- 
lips, Brother  of  Wm.  at  the  Lynn  or  Squamscut  Beach,  set.  86,  was 
with  me  last  week.  He  complains  of  being  shut  out  of  the  Friends 
meetings  in  Boston,  which  he  says  was  to  secure  part  of  Gould's 
legacy  in  Lynn,  as  half  was  given  to  Lynn  &  the  other  half 
divided  between  Boston  &  Salem.  As  the  meeting  ceases 
the  money  returns.  The  friends  this  week  had  their  quarterly 
meeting  in  this  Town.  The  name  "  Tugmutton,"  as  this  meeting 
at  Salem  is  called,  I  suppose  came  from  the  private  meeting  of  the 
Friends  in  times  of  persecution  at  Throgmorton,  which  name  was  sq 
vulgarly  called.  What  is  now  called  Beal's  &  Ward's  cove  is 
called  Throgmorton  by  the  aged  people  on  the  Marblehead  side. 

17.  This  day  was  taken  down  one  of  the  oldest  houses  in  Salem, 
which  stood  in  Union  street  on  the  western  side,  one  third  of  the 
distance  from  Essex  to  Derby  S.  It  faced  southerly,  &  projected  far 
into  the  street  on  its  eastern  end.  The  door  was  on  the  western 
side  of  the  front,  the  window  central  under  a  very  high  pitch  of 
the  roof.  In  the  second  story  was  a  larger  window  than  below  fil- 
ling the  front  pitch  of  the  roof,  as  in  Shakespeare's  house.  The 
roof  was  high  &  sharp.  At  the  eastern  end  was  a  small  part  added 
with  a  window  only  on  the  south  side  for  bed  rooms,  &  then  a 
kitchen  at  the  western  end.  Each  part  had  chimnies.  The  old 
house  at  the  western  end,  &  the  eastern  part  on  the  western  side, 
but  the  kitchen  was  built  with  a  chimney  near  the  middle 
chimney  but  detached  from  it.  The  history  of  this  house  is,  that 
it  belonged  formerly  to  Robert  Glanfield,  as  say  his  heirs  when  it 
was  sold  to  Capt.  Samuel  Carlton.  Upon  Robert  Glanfield's  de- 
cease William  Carkeet  his  Son  in  Law  possessed  it  till  death,  &  his 


436  DiAEY  OF  [June 

sons  Benjamin  &  Eobert  disposed  of  it  in  1732  to  Capt.  Samuel 
Carlton  for  160  pounds  Province  bills.  Carkeet's  son  Benj.  lived 
in  Edenton,  N.  C.,  in  the  county  of  Tyrell.  Capt.  Carlton  built  the 
kitchen  or  western  end,  when  he  bought  it.  In  the  Sale  the  Com- 
monages are  reserved,  so  that  it  was  built  before  the  settlement  of 
these  by  Law,  &  probably  as  early  as  1680.  It  was  bounded  in 
1732,  Southerly  on  Land  of  Samuel  Whitefoot,  westerly  on  land  of 
Eliza  Gerrish,  Paul  Kimball,  Jona.  Archer  &  John  Browne,  easter- 
ly on  Union  street,  &  northerly  on  Pickering's  land.  Chimnies 
laid  with  clay,  &  frame  of  the  house  filled  with  clay  &  bricks. 

18.  The  railing  of  the  Common  fence  is  painted,  the  plat  sowed 
with  grass  &  oats,  the  ditches*  are  finished  &  the  trees  which  have 
been  planted  have  been  very  successful. 

20.  Sunday.  Note.  Isaac  Perkins  &  Sister,  d.  of  his  Wife.  In 
old  Town  Gloucester  they  have  employed  Eevd.  Joel  Foster  of 
New  Salem  to  preach  &  to  keep  the  School.  He  has  been  lately 
dismissed  from  the  increase  of  Baptists  and  Sectaries. 

21.  Went  to  see  the  work  begun  on  the  intended  new  road  or 
Turnpike.  Not  much  is  now  done,  but  the  country  appears  more 
rough  the  more  it  is  examined.  I  went  as  far  as  Pickering's  Tree 
in  the  bend  of  the  wall  &  to  Lord's  Hill  &  Great  Monument. 

24.  The  proposals  for  Ty tier's  Geography  have  been  given 
to  the  public.  I  wish  an  acquaintance  gave  me  an  increasing  sense 
of  the  value  of  the  talents  which  Mr.  Tytler  possesses. 

27.  Sunday.  Mr.  Abbot  of  Haverhill  is  young,  as  his  Artillery 
E.  Sermon  will  discover.  He  published  several  years  ago  a  vehe- 
ment declamation  against  the  illuminati  which  brought  him  the 
visit  of  Dr.  D wight.  President  of  Yale  College,  Conn.  He  is  now  as 
zealous,  as  he  is  taught  to  be,  against  Jefferson's  administration. 

28.  Mrs.  Prince,  d.  of  the  late  K.  Derby  &  Sister  of  Elias  H. 
Derby,  has  lately  returned  from  Nova  Scotia  &  the  British  provinces 
to  which  she  went  as  a  Eefugee  in  the  revolution  with  her  hus- 
band.f  Their  affairs  have  been  unfavourable,  &  their  son  has  late- 
ly married  a  D.  of  E.  H.  Derby  by  which  he  has  risen  to  affluence 
&  invited  his  parents  to  return.  A  house  was  provided  for  them 
in  Medford,  &  at  that  place  she  expired  on  Saturday  last.  The 
funeral  solemnities  are  to  be  at  Medford  this  day,  &  the  body  is  to 
be  brought  to  Salem  &  lodged  in  the  Derby  family  tomb.  She 
married  in  1762,  &  was  born  in  1744,  &  baptised  29  April,  died  aet. 
58.  She  has  left  several  children.  One  daughter  has  married  an 
Apthorpe,  an  Officer  in  the  British  Service. 

29.  Having  long  proposed  to  visit  Cape  Ann,  I  went  down  in 
the  Stage  driven  by  Mr.  Low.  In  passing  Mingo's  beach  we 
observed  the  spot  where  two  negroes  passed  their  Chaise  backwards 
over  a  bank  15  feet,  without  loss  of  their  lives.     They  were  in  the 

•Gatters? 
tJoha  Prince. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  AZl 

act  of  opening  a  new  road  round  the  great  hill  in  Manchester, 
which  is  so  steep,  &  rough,  as  to  be  almost  impassable.  We 
observed  a  great  plenty  of  the  Kalmia,  both  Latifolia  &  augusti- 
folia,  or  the  American  laurel.  The  Pond  lilies  were  also  in  bloom 
&  afforded  a  most  pleasing  sight  in  the  ponds.  I  reached  the  har- 
bour &  ]\rr.  Low  kindly  conveyed  me  to  the  mills  in  Uppertown, 
Roger's  Parish,  where  I  found  my  friend  Capt.  John  Gibaut,  &  his 
Father  &  Mother,  to  whom  my  visit  was  directed.  We  found  men 
blowing  rocks  in  this  rough  road,  which  continually  is  becoming 
better  from  the  great  labour  bestowed  upon  it.  After  Tea  we  vis- 
ited the  Mill,  &  saw  the  new  stones  drawn  from  13anvers,  which  of 
a  less  diameter  moved  with  a  much  greater  velocity  than  the  other 
stones,  the  upper  stone  being  above  two  tons  weight.  We  visited 
the  new  road  cut  through  the  farm  which  communicates  with  the 
road  to  Gee's  point  at  which  the  branches  of  Squam  &  Mill  rivers 
seperate  &  form,  &  we  returned  by  saw  mill  lane.  On  this  road 
Capt.  Gibaut  has  bought  a  small  lot  of  land  with  a  farm  house. 
This  was  once  a  flourishing  part  of  the  Town  &  has  a  great  depth 
of  water.     A  Mr.  Wheeler  lives  on  the  point. 

30.  This  day  we  gave  to  amusement.  Below  Gee's  point  &  be- 
tween the  marsh  &  rocky  point  we  anchored  our  Boat  &  there  we 
took  above  100  perch,  plaice,  &  other  fish  in  a  short  time.  We 
were  very  successful  with  the  net  stretched  on  an  iron  hoop,  & 
might  have  taken,  had  we  continued,  fish  in  great  abundance. 
Pleased  with  our  ready  success,  when  the  tide  ceased  to  run  with 
violence,  we  left  our  sport  in  the  midst  to  beat  our  boat  homewards. 
After  dinner  we  went  into  Squam  river  just  within  its  mouth  &  below 
Gee's  wharf  &  there  we  took  with  our  baited  nets  sixteen  fine  lob- 
sters. With  this  fare  we  returned  &  gave  an  hour  to  a  Mr.  Joel 
Fisher,  formerly  minister  of  New  Salem,  but  dismissed  by  consent 
from  the  number  of  sectaries  with  which  that  town  abounds.  He 
is  now  preaching  in  the  Upper  Town  &  keeps  a  School,  of  which 
that  Parish  have  long  been  destitute.  He  has  60  Scholars,  besides 
above  20  which  are  in  the  care  of  a  woman  in  a  room  adjoining. 
The  neglect  of  former  times  is  felt  in  the  little  acquaintance  the 
children  have  with  the  arts  of  reading  &  writing  &  with  the  useful 
manners  of  society. 

July  1  [1802].  [This  day]  we  gave  to  the  Harbour  properly 
the  Town.  At  the  entrance  of  the  Town  we  saw  the  Pastor,  Mr. 
Forbes,  preparing  to  go  into  his  garden.  We  first  went  to  Beckey, 
who  still  holds  her  barber's  shop,  &  all  its  decorations,  &  then 
walked  down  Seargeant's  new  wharf,  which  is  now  the  best  in 
the  Town.  Near  it,  eastward,  is  a  bathing  house  for  salt  water, 
lately  erected  for  females,  but  little  used.  Upon  our  return  we 
visited  Capt.  David  Pearce  who  had  great  success  in  the  war  with 
England,  by  privateers.  An  early  friend,  in  whose  family  spent 
many  pleasant  hours.     He  is  a  primitive  man.     We  visited  also  his 


43 S  DIARY  OF  [July 

Brother,  the  Colonel,  whose  last  successes  have  been  greater  than 
of  the  Captain.  At  Capt.  Beach's,  his  son  in  law,  we  received  our 
friend  Jacob  Crowniushield,  lately  of  the  Senate,  &  Captain  Silsbee, 
who  had  come  down  from  Salem  to  join  us.  Beach  is  giving  to  his 
house  uncommon  elegance.  He  has  added  a  third  story  in  an  oc- 
tagon, which  is  surrounded  by  a  dome  which  has  an  elegant  effect. 
This  excentric  man  has  great  ambition  &  good  taste.  We  found 
the  little  children,  but  not  the  worthy  mother  who  had  so  often 
welcomed  &  delighted  us. 

2.  Fearful  whether  we  should  rise  early  enough  for  the  stage, 
we  were  up  at  early  dawn,  &  reached  the  town  &  breakfasted  with 
Low  in  the  public  house.  The  stage  was  full,  &  the  company  vari- 
ous, but  the  conversation  was  free,  innocent,  chearful,  &  indeed 
often  useful.  We  enquired  of  all  the  surrounding  objects,  &  a 
worthy  shipwrecked  mariner  told  all  the  tales  of  his  dangers  &  his 
late  escape.  He  dealt  his  blows  freely  on  the  french,  from  whom 
he  had  suffered,  but  violated  no  decorum.  The  sweet  little  girls 
gave  us  entertainment  &  we  reached  Salem  not  without  many  stops 
for  our  amusement.  At  home  I  found  a  Mr.  Davis  from  Harvard 
who  dined  with  me  &  to  my  tales  my  Landlady  could  tell  the  ad- 
ventures of  my  absence,  which  had  rendered  happy  her  visit  to  the 
fruit  house  in  Cambridge. 

3.  Last  night  the  man  on  the  neck,  Wilson,  began  to  burn  his 
kiln  of  bricks.  The  spot  had  been  occupied  antiently  &  in  the  last 
war  for  a  short  time.  It  is  now  held  by  permission  from  the  Select- 
men of  the  Town.  There  is  another  brick  kiln  within  the  great 
pasture  gates  &  lately  there  was  one  in  Southfields  in  the  hollow 
near  the  road  beyond  Castle  hill  gate. 

4.  Sunday.  Notes.  George  Crowniushield  &  wife,  d.  of  her 
sister  Martha  Prince.  She  was  a  Derby.  Barnabas  Herrick  & 
wife,  d.  of  their  G.  Child  Stocker,  an  adopted  child.  Mehitable 
Valpy,  delivery,  pr.  for  Husband  &  Brethren  at  Sea.  Mr.  Mackeen 
of  Beverly  has  obtained  his  dismission,  but  without  a  Council. 
It  was  judged  by  the  Church  that  the  consent  of  parties  made 
the  measure  unneccessary.  A  division  will  probably  ensue  as 
every  provision  is  making  for  the  purpose  of  a  new  meeting 
house.  It  was  judged  by  his  friends  that  if  the  addition  to 
his  salary  had  quietly  obtained,  he  might  have  been  induced  to 
tarry,  but  the  burst  of  opposition  from  so  many  decided  him  at 
once  that  his  tarry  could  not  have  any  quiet  with  it.  This  is  a  full 
example  that  prudence  may  be  carried  so  far  as  that  a  man  may 
not  safely  take  any  precautions.  He  may  be  a  slave,  tho'  he  feel 
not  his  chains  till  he  move  himself. 

5.  At  three  in  the  morning  we  were  awakened  by  the  discharge 
of  one  of  the  field  pieces  in  Salem,  &  by  the  firing  of  guns  in  Bos- 
ton, Marblehead,  &c.  The  bells  rang  in  Marblehead  till  after  sun- 
rise.    As  there  was  to  be  nothing  general  in  Salem,  I  directed  my 


1802]  WILLIAM  BBNTLEY,   D.   D.  439 

course  to  Marblehead,  where  all  partook  iu  the  joy.  After  public 
prayers,  an  oration  &  church  music,  we  went  in  joyful  procession 
to  the  Town  House  in  which  the  Town  Hall  was  provided  for  the 
reception  of  the  numerous  guests  &  176  persons  there  feasted  on 
the  luxiu-y  of  the  table,  &  the  joys  of  the  day.  Col.  Lee  presided 
with  great  success.  His  figure,  his  general  character,  his  glee,  his 
repartees,  his  attention,  &  the  interest  he  took  in  everything,  gave 
the  best  effect.  Everything  was  in  order.  The  dinner  anywhere 
would  have  been  pronounced  elegant,  &  the  tables  were  served  in 
the  best  manner.  The  Toasts  were  given  &  huzzaed  with  a  full- 
ness of  soul,  which  distinguished  a  sincere  joy.  The  songs  were  in 
great  variety,  but  they  arrested  attention.  The  Company  retired 
at  their  pleasure,  &  but  few  sons  of  the  bottle  were  left  at  five 
o'clock.  The  public  buildings  were  to  be  illuminated.  At  Dr. 
Story's  we  were  received  in  the  fullness  of  hospitality  &  by  a  large 
&  polite  family.  My  companion  was  a  young  female,  g.  d.  of  my 
Landlady,  &  we  reached  Salem  before  Sundown. 

7.  Capt  G.  Ropes,  lately  returned  from  Gambia  &  Senegal  gives 
a  very  unpleasing  account  of  the  situation.  The  Towns  or  settle- 
ments have  a  small  proportion  of  whites  &  the  negroes  up  the  river 
remain  savage.  It  was  impossible  to  be  very  minute  in  the  subject. 
He  represents  the  slave  trade  to  be  the  most  profitable  part  of  their 
trade,  but  in  that  he  would  not  engage.  He  refers  to  Park*  whom 
he  found  correct  so  far  as  his  own  knowledge  went.  He  imputes 
many  evils  to  Strangers  from  the  small  flies  which  infest  the 
country,  against  which  the  remedy  of  the  natives  is  smoak. 

8.  Mr.  Barker  has  run  out  a  wharf  below  Turner  street,  between 
Collins  &  Dodge,  that  was  formerly  Nurse's.  Collins'  was  part  of 
Turner's  wharf  &  possessions.  This  new  wharf  has  a  tendency  to 
draw  the  business  into  the  Eastern  part  of  the  Town,  the  popula- 
tion increases  continually.  A  number  of  young  persons  have  taken 
the  Women's  gallery  in  the  East  Meeting  House,  &  are  making 
great  repairs  and  alterations,  in  order  to  try  whether  so  useful  a 
part  of  the  house  could  not  be  rendered  useful.  This  day  departed 
this  life  Capt.  Thomas  Dean,  aet.  79,  the  oldest  man,  then  living  in 
our  society,  who  remained  in  Town.  He  was  bred  to  the  seas,  and 
■was  repeatedly  married.  He  removed  to  Barbadoes,  for  several 
years  during  the  revolution,  &  has  left  two  daughters,  who  have 
survived  him,  one  by  the  first  &  another  by  the  second  wife.  The 
first  has  married  Capt.  John  Becket  as  his  third  wife,  &  the  other 
Mr.  John  Ward.  Sarah  &  Christiana.  Capt.  Dean  was  rather 
short,  of  full  habit,  a  good  countenance,  easy  manners,  informed 
above  men  of  the  same  condition  in  life,  conversant  with  people  of 
every  rank,  ready  of  address,  communicative  &  discreet.  His 
chearfulness  never  forsook  him.  He  had  been  in  prosperous  cir- 
cumstances but  his  retreat  to  Barbadoes  did  not  advance  his  inter- 

•Mango  Park,  the  African  explorer. 


440  DIARY  OF  [July 

est.  Few  men  more  respected  or  more  deserving.  Capt.  Dean 
married  Sarah  Phippen  in  1751  &  she  soon  died.  He  then  married 
Mary  Cash  in  1753,  &  she  died  in  1794  having  lived  with  him  41 
years.  By  his  last  wife  part  of  the  estate  of  Clifford  Crownin- 
shield  came  into  his  hands,  as  Clifford  C's  second  wife  was  the 
mother  of  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Dean. 

11.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Becket  &  wife  with  her  Sisters,  d. 
of  her  father,  Capt.  T.  Dean,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Joseph  Waters 
&  Children,  d.  of  his  F.  in  law  Dean.  Wid.  Mary  Waters,  d.  of  her 
Brother  Dean,  pr.  for  son  at  sea.  Wid.  Hannah  Mascoll,  d.  of  her 
Brother  Dean.  B.  Dean  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother  Dean.  Susanna  Pres- 
ton, d.  of  her  daughter.  Wid. Mary  Preston,  d.  of  her  g.  d.  Susanna 
Preston  alias.  The  pews  in  our  gallery  have  undergone  another 
revolution.  They  are  now  furnished  with  curtains,  &  there  is  a 
great  desire  to  hold  them.  This  is  the  fourth  revolution.  They 
were  at  first  held  by  proprietors,  then  given  up  to  the  Singers  in 
part,  then  let  to  particular  men  &  now  sold  together.  They  were 
at  first  banistered,  then  cut  down,  now  built  up  again  with  closed 
work. 

15.  One  of  our  Lobstermen  tells  me  that  he  has  never  caught 
any  lobster  above  19  pound  weight,  near  the  rocks  &  shores  of 
Salem. 

17.  A  ship  launched  at  Brigg's  in  South  fields  opposite  to  Long 
wharf.  Pour  building  yards  in  town.  One  at  Frie's  Mills,  North 
river,  one  at  North  Bridge,  one  at  Becket's  below  English  street,  & 
at  Brigg's.  Mr.  Barker  is  putting  a  Cobb  wharf  near  to  Dodge's, 
between  the  remains  of  Nurse's  wharf  &  Collin's  tan  yard  &  wharf, 
&  has  proceeded  far  in  it.  Another  man  is  filling  in  that  part  of 
English's  lot  to  the  eastward  that  was  bought  by  R.  Derby  &  by 
his  heirs  sold  to  Capt,  E.  Allen,  &  by  him  to  R.  Becket,  &  which  is 
below  Becket's  building  yard.  This  will  give  another  landing  be- 
low English's  former  wharf,  &  higher  to  the  Neck  than  any  wharf 
has  yet  been. 

18.  Sunday.  Note.  Elizabeth  Fairfield  with  her  Children,  d. 
of  d.  Cole,*  pr.  friends  at  Sea. 

20.  This  day  a  vessel  of  170  Tons  launched  at  Becket's.  An- 
other is  building  of  about  300  Tons. 

22.  James  Grey,  our  Lobster  man,  has  had  a  severe  stroke  of  the 
palsy.  He  is  about  50  years  old.  Since  I  have  known  him,  he 
has  been  the  most  intemperate  man  I  can  conceive.  He  blushes  not 
to  confess  it,  &  that  he  loves  to  get  drunk,  but  he  has  often  said  he 
would  die  before  he  would  commit  any  fault  to  injure  any  man. 
He  was  honest,  diligent,  quiet,  ignorant,  but  drunk  he  would  be  at 
every  opportunity.  He  could  bear  heat  &  cold  &  fatigue  beyond 
any  man.  I  suspect  that  his  palsy  was  occasioned  by  a  violent  fit 
of  passion.     A  man  had  threatened  him  while  in  liquor  &  he  lay 

*Mr8.  Lois,  wife  of  Andrew  Cole. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  441 

almost  naked  a  whole  day  in  the  sun  to  embitter  his  resentment  of 
the  insult.     A  Savage. 

25.  Sunday.  Note.  Andrew  English  &  wife,  for  her  sick.  It 
is  at  length  agreed  to  take  down  the  New  North  Meeting  House, 
Boston,  &  to  rebuild  in  Brick.  Mr.  Buliinch  has  given  a  plan  which 
will  be  followed.  This  is  a  wooden  building  enlarged,  &  very 
rotten,  especially  in  the  roof.  The  principal  person  concerned  in  its 
erection  was  Caleb  Lyman,  who  was  an  elder  in  the  Church.  His  wife 
was  a  Barber  by  family,  &  survived  him,  being  at  her  death  above  90 
years  old.  She  has  often  told  me  in  the  manner  of  the  day  that  Dr. 
Increase  Mather  of  the  old  North  was  much  offended  at  first  at 
the  attempt  to  build  another  Meeting  house  at  the  North  end,  but 
being  assured  that  no  disrespect  influenced  them,  he  was  at  length 
satisfied  &  said  to  the  Elder,  well  the  Duck  pond  is  not  large 
enough  &  you  must  find  another.  They  did  not  live  long  together 
before  the  introduction  of  Mr.  Peter  Thacher  from  Weymouth 
made  a  seism  &  the  Revenge  or  New  Brick  was  built  in  1721.  Mr. 
Thacher  removed  from  Weymouth  &  it  gave  great  uneasiness. 
This  was  the  first  time  perhaps  in  which  the  pastoral  relation  of  a 
neighbouring  church  had  been  dissolved,  to  translate  a  minister.  It 
has  been  since  followed  by  the  removal  of  another  Peter  Thacher 
from  Maiden  to  the  Brattle  Street  Church  &  of  Mr.  West  from  the 
Church  in  Needham  to  the  Hollis  Street  Meeting  House.  Mr. 
Thacher  was  translated  in  1785,  &  Mr.  West  in  1789.  Mr.  Emerson 
from  Harvard  in  1799  to  the  first  Church.  We  are  repairing  our 
Women's  Gallery.  Mr.  Honeycombe  an  Englishman  is  our  carpen- 
ter. A  number  of  young  families  have  agreed  to  take  the  gallery. 
The  Committee  repair  the  Proprietor's  pews  &  a  subscription  fin- 
ishes the  Porch. 

26.  Capt.  Gibaut  dined  with  me  &  assured  me  that  a  Mrs. 
Saunders  keeps  a  school  in  Gloucester  for  young  ladies,  where 
needle  work  will  bear  comparison  with  any  of  the  work  of  our 
Schools  not  excepting  Mrs.  Rogers  of  Salem.  When  any  person  is 
made  a  standard,  it  may  be  admitted  as  a  proof  of  excellence.  Mr. 
Corn^  of  Naples,  an  Italian  Painter  in  the  Town,  introduced  by 
Mr.  Derby,  rode  with  me  to  the  estate  of  Gov.  Endicott,  to  see 
whether  he  could  preserve  a  likeness  from  the  family  picture  of 
that  venerable  Puritan.  We  found  the  heir  poor,  the  estate  mort- 
gaged, &  little  left  in  the  name.  Several  young  men  who  are  mar- 
ried give  us  hopes  of  raising  the  family  again.  The  old  pear  tree 
of  1630  hung  still  full  of  pears.  The  old  Cellar  is  filled  up  &  the 
stones  sold.  The  dial  lays  in  the  Closet  as  the  boys  threw  stones 
&  broke  off  the  gnomon.  Poverty  armed  with  intemp.  We  passed 
a  few  minutes  with  Major  Sprague  who  has  gotten  some  of  the  best 
land  of  the  farm,  &  whose  ancestor  came  with  Gov.  Endicott.  Mr. 
Read,  of  Congress,  has  another  part,  &  Judge  Collins  another  part. 
We  rode  to  Judge  Collins'  to  the  house  built  by  Esq.  Hooper  of 


442  DIARY  OF  [Aug. 

Marblehead,  &  there  we  were  kindly  received  at  tea  &  spent  the 
evening  &  upon  our  return  remarked  the  changes  which  take  place 
in  families  &  which  were  before  our  eyes.  We  have  the  promise  of 
the  loan  of  the  Picture. 

28.  This  afternoon  I  went  for  W.  Philip's  at  the  Beach.  I 
found  the  old  man,  aged  87,  as  calm  as  ever.  Since  my  last  visit 
he  has  lost  his  only  daughter,  a  maiden  who  lived  with  him  to 
attend  upon  him.  She  died  suddenly,  set.  63.  Had  been  long  par- 
alytic but  had  returned  from  a  visit,  had  an  apoplectic  stroke 
which  finished  her  life  in  less  than  two  hours.  He  now  lives  with 
his  Son.     His  Brother  John  still  lives  at  Boston,  aet.  86. 

30.  The  company  of  Prince,  G.  Ropes,  &  Philips  of  this  Town 
have  been  questioned  by  the  government  upon  complaint  of  the 
Slave  Trade.  G.  Ropes  was  the  Master  &  had  long  been  on  the  A. 
Coast.  Ropes  was  imprisoned  but  has  returned  home.  Of  the  facts 
there  is  no  question  but  in  what  degree,  &  upon  what  evidence  we 
do  not  know.     We  know  men  will  do  anything  for  money. 

Aug.  1  [1802] .  Sunday.  Notes.  Debora  Sage,  d.  of  only  d.,  pr. 
for  Husband  &  son  at  sea.  Samuel  Silsbee,  d.  of  g.  d.  Sage,  pr.  for 
Son  &  g.  Son  at  Sea.  Elizabeth  Gray,  d.  of  her  husband  Gray 
abroad.  Hannah  Brown,  d.  of  her  Son  in  Law  Gray,  pr.  for  g.  son 
sick. 

5.  The  Chronicle  brought  us  the  news  that  the  Collector  of  the 
Customs  in  Salem  was  displaced,  &  that  Col.  W.  R.  Lee  succeeded 
Major  Hiller.  It  has  long  been  a  prevalent  opinion  that  the  Pres- 
ident would  not  touch  this  County,  but  as  Mr.  Tyng  has  been  dis- 
placed at  the  same  time  &  Mr.  Gerry  of  Marblehead,  there  are  few 
doubts  respecting  the  president's  courage  in  the  matter.  Gerry  is  own 
brother  to  the  late  Minister  &  Rep.  Candidate  for  Gov.  of  Mass. 
Tyng  is  Son  in  law  to  S.  Higginson,  a  known  Hamiltonian  in  poli- 
tics. I  am  not  in  a  situation  to  know  all  the  conversations  but  ev- 
ery artifice  is  used  to  make  the  republicans  discontented  with  the 
choice. 

8.  Sunday.  Notes.  William  Boyd  &  wife,  d.  of  their  Child, 
fr.  at  Sea.  Joseph  Franks  &  wife,  d.  of  g.  child  Boyd,  pr.  for  son 
at  Sea. 

11.  I  went  up  to  Endicott's  farm  to  borrow  the  portrait  of  the 
Governour  from  his  descendant.  The  favour  was  granted.  I  walked 
round  the  part  of  the  farm  purchased  by  Major  Sprague,  with  a 
grandson  under  my  care.  He  directed  me  to  the  Endicott  burying 
ground.  I  had  always  supposed  that  the  burying  ground  on  Por- 
ter's plain  was  of  the  family  of  Endicott,  but  I  found  it,  not  far 
from  the  western  bank  of  Crane's  river,  imder  some  stately  oaks 
which  are  spared  to  honour  this  spot.  The  Gov.  lays  in  Boston. 
The  few  gravestones  have  been  erected  within  thirty  years.  There 
is  the  appearance  of  a  considerable  number  of  graves.  The  family 
have  reserved  the  right  of  burial  here.     But  as  the   property  ia 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.    D.  443 

chiefly  gone  &  the  greater  part  of  the  family  has  removed,  there 
will  be  left  few  to  claim  it.  A  Spring  under  the  north  side  of  the 
hill  near  the  river  is  very  convenient  in  the  great  pasture  of  which 
the  burying  ground  is  a  part.  This  part  of  the  farm  is  wretchedly 
destitute  of  wood. 

12.  Mrs.  Margaret  Derby  died,  wife  of  Samuel  Derby.  She  was 
a  Barton.  She  had  early  been  subject  to  derangement,  &  upon  ac- 
count of  it  was  under  Kitteridge  of  Andover,  but  after  marriage 
discovered  nothing  of  the  kind.  Her  manners  were  amiable,  her 
conversation  innocent  &  free,  her  character  domestic,  her  health  pre- 
carious, her  attachment  to  her  kindred  distinguishing,  her  patience 
inexhaustible.  Confined  above  twelve  months,  &  an  invalid  for  sev- 
eral years.  She  had  children  first.  In  ten  years  they  had  nine 
children,  eight  of  which  survive  her.  She  was  a  serious  woman, 
but  never  spake  of  death  as  applied  to  her  own  hopes  or  fears  dur- 
ing her  illness.  Had  nothing  licentious  in  her  opinions,  but  a  seri- 
ous hope  of  eternal  friendship,  yet  the  thought  of  dying  never  es- 
caped from  her  lips.  She  was  34  years  of  age  in  the  month  of  her 
death.  Capt.  Allen  is  enlarging  his  farm  house  upon  the  neck.  A 
new  story  has  been  put  upon  the  farmer's  end.  And  another  is  pre- 
paring for  the  Hall  &  a  kitchen  is  to  be  added.  Many  ornaments 
are  talked  of. 

14.  Had  the  pleasure  of  an  interview  with  our  newly  appointed 
Collector,  Col.  Lee,  who  is  received  with  great  civility  in  Salem. 

15.  Sunday.  Notes.  Luke  Heard  &  wife,  for  her  dangerously 
sick.  There  are  several  vacant  churches  in  our  neighbourhood. 
The  second  in  Marblehead,  the  first  in  Beverly,  the  church  in  Wen- 
ham,  besides  the  Churches  of  Oldtown,  Squam  &  Sandy  bay  in 
Gloucester.  Mr.  Coffin  at  Marblehead  insisted  upon  the  Baptism 
of  Children  of  Communicants  only,  to  which  the  Church  would  not 
consent,  he  therefore  ceases  to  be  a  Candidate  with  them. 

19.  Capt.  H.  Clarke,  of  whose  death  we  hear  at  Amboyna,  is  a 
•descendant  of  a  Capt.  Clarke,  who  had  charge  of  the  Fort  at  Salem 
before  the  Revolution.  He  was  quite  a  genteel  &  agreable  man. 
There  has  been  for  some  time  a  Danish  ship  in  our  harbour,  &  it  is 
the  first  time  that  ever  the  King  of  Denmark's  flag  was  displayed 
in  the  view  of  Salem. 

20.  Mr.  Walsh*  gave  me  an  account  of  the  unreasonable  pro- 
ceedings of  Mr.  Spring  against  him  as  a  School  Master,  from  some 
prejudices  respecting  his  children.  This  same  Spring  was  active  in 
removing  Spaulding  from  Salem.  Mr.  Carey  was  a  good  &  season- 
able friend  to  Walsh.  Walsh  was  chosen  Town  Clerk  to  shew  the 
sense  of  the  town  of  N ewburyport,  but  declined  the  service  after  hav- 
ing this  testimony  of  the  good  wishes  of  the  Town.  A  Committee 
of  the  Schools  was  chosen  from  his  friends. 

21.  At  Nahant.  Friend  Breed,  above  60  years  of  age,  informed 

•Michael  WaUb,  aatbor  ot  a  Mercantile  Arithmetic,  Newburyport,  1801. 


444  DIAKY   OF  [Aug. 

me  that  Nahant,  including  the  great  &  little  Nahant  &  Western 
head,^s  supposed  to  contain  600  acres.  That  it  was  long  neglected. 
That  parts  of  it  were  parcelled  out  to  the  inhabitants  of  Lynn  & 
they  were  obliged  by  a  vote  of  the  town  to  clear  it.  The  first  divi- 
sions were  small.  That  a  person  having  a  small  house  on  the  great 
Nahant  near  the  outer  cove  considered  the  obligation  to  clear  one  & 
half  acre  a  grievance.  That  Dr.  Birksted,*  whose  posterity  are 
called  Bum  stead,  first  obtained  a  grant  of  a  part  of  the  great  Nahant 
40  rods  wide  &  extending  across.  That  he  was  a  Physician  of  rep- 
utation from  Germany.  That  for  the  sake  of  his  practice  he  re- 
moved. The  eastern  room  of  Breed's  house  is  the  house  of  said 
Birksted.  That  Mr.  Breed,  the  Father,  born  in  1692,  with  his 
Brother,  purchased  in  1720  of  said  Physician.  That  after  three 
years  the  Brother  sold  to  the  ancestor  of  the  present  Mr.  Wood, 
now  opposite  to  him,  his  house  &  lands.  That  some  of  the  antient 
claims  are  still  held.  The  other  house  by  Johnson  has  been  since 
built  on  one  of  the  antient  rights.  The  new  house  of  entertainment 
on  the  western  head,  has  been  built  by  another  Johnson  within  a 
few  years.  On  the  second  year  he  was  involved  &  the  house  shut. 
In  the  present,  the  third  year,  it  is  again  opened,  but  without  great 
success.  The  design  of  the  first  clearing  of  Nahant,  was  to  provide 
a  sheep  pasture.  It  is  to  be  remembered  that  two  German  Doctors 
settled  about  the  same  time  in  Lynn,  one  at  Nahant,  &  Cronen- 
schelt  at  Spring  or  Lynn  pond.  Crononschelt  removed  to  Salem,  & 
Birksted  to  Lynn  Town.  The  posterity  of  B.  are  at  Boston  &  Lynn, 
&  of  C.  at  Salem  &  Marblehead.  C.  was  much  more  advanced  in 
years.  In  some  part  of  their  lives  they  were  contemporary,  but  for 
how  long  a  time  I  cannot  pretend  to  say. 

22.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Perkins  &  wife  &  children,  d.  of 
only  D.,  Son  at  Sea.  Hannah  Hodges  &  Children,  d.  of  youngest 
child,  Husband  &  Brs.  at  Sea.  Nathaniel  Shed  &  wife,  d.  of  their 
child.     William  Smith  &  wife,  only  child  sick. 

24.  Died,  Mrs.  Edwards,  Sister  of  the  late  Gen.  Piske.  A 
strange  excentricity  without  any  want  of  natural  acumen,  distin- 
guished this  woman.  Her  infirmities  led  her  to  seek  confinement 
at  home.  She  was  facetious,  agreable,  &  intelligent  at  times.  But 
alas,  a  malady,  which  the  art  of  distilling  has  rendered  well  known, 
was  no  secret  to  her.  There  is  only  one  left,  a  Sister  Stivers,  of 
the  family  of  Revd.  S.  Piske,  &  no  male  descendant  to  hold  up  this 
branch  of  the  primitive  John  Piske. 

The  Belesarius,  a  ship  owned  by  Capt.  G.  Crowninshield  &  Sons, 
which  sailed  from  this  Port  11  Aug.  for  India,  &  on  board  of  which 
Ropest  was  killed,  carried  away  some  of  her  spars  &  returned. 
Then  sail'd  again  on  Aug.  14,  &  four  days  afterwards  was  struck 
with  lightning  in  the  night  of  Aug.  18,  at  midnight.     The  men  were 

*Dr.  Henry  Burchstead? 

tBenjamin  Ropes,  iet.  18,  son  of  Samuel. 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.    D.  445 

handling  sails.  One  of  the  hands,  Shehane  of  this  Town,  was  killed 
instantly.  The  mate  and  two  hands  were  senseless  for  some  time, 
&  have  not  yet  recovered.  The  compasses  lost  their  magnetic 
power  &  they  were  obliged  to  return.  The  lightning  struck  the 
main  top  mast  head,  &  passed  over  the  cap,  then  shivered  the  top 
mast,  &  passed  down  by  the  main  rigging  to  the  men,  who  were 
handling  it.  Then  shivered  a  beam,  &  passed  out  of  the  side  of  the 
Ship.     She  reached  this  port  this  afternoon. 

25.  The  first  Commencement  day  on  the  new  appointment  of  the 
last  Wednesday  in  August.  I  did  not  go  to  Cambridge.  We  hear 
that  an  unbounded  licenciousness  was  employed  in  regard  to  the 
general  government,  in  the  public  performances,  without  the  dawn 
of  genius  on  the  day.  In  directing  the  studies  of  the  students, 
Hebrew  was  recommended  as  leading  to  all  divine  knowledge,  but 
french  to  every  evil.  No  French  Instructor  is  now  encouraged  at 
Cambridge. 

28.  Died,  last  evening,  Susanna  Harthorne,  Widow  of  John  Har- 
thorne.  She  was  a  Tousel,  &  descended  from  the  family  of  English 
&  Hollingsworth.  Philip  English  who  suffered  so  much  in  1692 
was  her  G.  Grandfather  by  her  mother's  side.  She  retained  all  the 
antient  traditions  &  preserved  the  antiquities  of  that  family,  &  the 
linens  taken  from  Sherif  Curwin  by  Mr.  English.  She  was  by  mar- 
riage introduced  into  the  antient  family  of  Harthorne,  &  retained 
in  her  possession  the  Mansion  House  of  Philip  English  till  her 
death.  She  has  left  two  children.  Her  son  is  the  present  Col. 
Harthorne,  &  her  Daughter  the  wife  of  Capt.  Samuel  Ingersoll. 

29.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Edwards,  son  &  daughter,  d.  of  his 
wife.  Sarah  Stivers,  d.  of  her  sister  Edwards.  Mary  Hutchinson 
&  children,  d.  of  her  Eldest  son,  pr.  for  friends  at  Sea.  Luke 
Heard  &  Son,  d.  of  his  wife.  John  Emmerton  &  wife  &  children, 
d.  of  his  Sister  Heard.  Wid.  Sarah  Underwood,  for  her  sick.  John 
Pierce  &  wife,  for  her  delivery.  In  this  County,  the  vacant  Churches 
are  supplied  by  the  following.  Mr.  Joel  Foster  at  Oldtown, 
Gloucester,  Mr.  Noyes  at  Squam,  Mr.  Brown  now  living  in  Salem, 
formerly  of  Exeter,  supplies  Boxford  in  Mr.  Holyoke's  parish.  A 
Mr.  Noyes  is  at  Second  Cong.  S.  in  Marblehead.  A  Mr.  Ripley 
preaches  at  Wenham.  ]Mr.  Mackean  of  Beverly  preached  his  farewell 
sermon  last  Sunday.  He  is  gone  to  take  possession  of  his  College 
at  Brunswick,  Maine,  as  President.  At  Amesbury,  as  the  Council 
would  not  ordain  Mr.  Hull,  the  people  took  him.  He  had  been  or- 
dained at  large  by  the  Methodists.  The  Son  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson 
lately  was  drowned  from  a  Southern  vessel  now  at  Portsmouth,  N.H. 
Soon  after  the  death  of  his  father  he  left  Salem  &  has  been  absent 
15  years.  His  being  found  a  Sailor  &  never  having  written  to 
his  friends  is  no  evidence  of  his  good  prospects.  He  was  in  his 
36th  year.     Thomas  Hutchinson. 

Septemper  1,  1802.     My  Mother  with  me  &  my  aunt  Wheat  from 


446  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

Providence.  They  returned  the  same  day  to  Boston.  A  Singular 
drunken  Surgeon  has  been  about  town  for  sometime  who  has  high 
reputation  for  setting  bones  &  making  cures.  His  name  is  Peabody 
&  was  instructed  by  Dr.  Kitteridge  of  Andover.  Capt.  Allen  has 
raised  another  story  to  his  house  at  the  Neck  farm  &  is  preparing 
to  fix  a  piazza  on  the  eastern  side  of  it. 

4.  Mr.  Christian  Logan,  youngest  son  of  the  late  Dr.  Logan  of 
Charleston,  S.  C,  who  died  in  our  arms,  is  with  iis.  He  reached 
town  last  night,  but  appeared  with  us  this  morning.  His  Brother 
George  came  as  far  as  Boston  &  returned.  This  evening  Mrs.  Mal- 
ay was  married.  She  was  a  d.  of  Capt.  Mason.  She  was  addressed 
by  Capt.  E.  Allen,  junr,  but  his  parents  prevented  the  marriage. 
She  then  married  a  Maley  of  Newburyport,  who  was  killed  at  sea  by 
accident.  She  is  now  married  to  a  Scotchman,  John  Scobie,  a  dry 
goods  merchant  in  this  Town. 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  Susannah  Ingersoll  &  Daughter,  d.  of  her 
Mother  Susannah  Harthorne,  set.  80,  pr.  for  husband  &  only  son  at 
Sea.  Hannah  Becket,  d.  of  her  husband  William  B.  at  Sea,  for  her- 
self &  two  children.  Widow  Mary  Waters,  d.  of  her  son  in  Law, 
W.  Becket.  Widow  Hannah  Malcolm,  d.  of  her  Son  W.  Becket,  pr. 
for  absent  children.  Widow  Sarah  Shehane,  d.  of  her  Son  killed 
by  Lightning  at  Sea.  Daniel  Shehane  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother 
Shehane,  pr.  for  friends  absent.  Benjamin  Shehane  &  wife,  d.  of 
his  Brother  Stephen  by  Lightning.  Josiah  R.  Atwell  &  wife,  d.  of 
her  father  in  Eoxbury,  pr.  for  her  only  Br.  at  Sea.  Nathaniel  Trow 
&  wife,  d.  of  his  mother  in  Beverly,  pr.  for  absent  friends.  Samu- 
el Archer  &  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  absent  friends. 

7.  Died,  Mr.  J.  Twisse.  Por  the  first  part  of  life  he  was  tern- 
perate  &  had  the  character  of  a  very  honest  man.  He  left  the  neck 
farm  16  years  ago  having  lived  upon  it  28  years,  under  Ives,  Derby 
&  Son.  John  Derby  senr.  dismissed  him  &  he  moved  near  Neck 
gate.  John  Perkins  succeeded  him  on  the  farm  &  lived  there  sev- 
eral years  &  then  Twisse's  Son  in  Law  succeeded  him,  after  Capt. 
Allen  purchased  it. 

8.  This  day  was  buried  with  Masonic  honours  Capt.  Justin 
Macarthy,  aet.  37,  who  had  been  long  complaining  but  died  suddenly 
having  been  abroad  all  day. 

9.  This  day  I  was  present  at  the  English  Mansion  house  at  the 
appraisal  of  the  effects  belonging  to  the  Widow  Sxisanna  Harthorne, 
his  great  grand  child.  In  this  house  I  saw  the  things  which  re- 
main of  this  antient  family  &  its  connections,  &  supposed  that  I 
was  then  actually  on  the  spot,  when  for  the  last  time  the  remains 
of  the  first  generation  were  to  be  seen  together  in  any  town  of 
Massachusetts.  The  singular  pride  of  this  family  has  rendered  them 
tenacious  of  the  lands  &  of  the  moveables  of  their  ancestors,  &  a 
more  curious  sight  was  not  to  be  seen  in  America.  The  branch  of 
English  is  now  entirely  lost.     Such  as  bear  the  name  at  present  were 


1802]  WILLIAM   BKNTLET,    D.    D.  447 

distant  relatives,  of  past  generations.  The  Tousel  name  has  con- 
tinued in  two  generations,  the  last  a  worthy  man,  &  who  lived  in 
the  English  Mansion  house,  died  a  Batchelor  soon  after  my  coming 
to  Salem.  The  Harthornes  are  not  numerous  in  the  present,  but 
probably  will  be  in  the  rising  generation.  There  are  two  remain- 
ing but  Col.  John,  the  heir  of  this  estate,  is  the  only  one  of  the 
name  living  that  has  children.  A  deceased  brother  has  left  chil- 
dren to  bear  up  the  name.  Among  the  Books  I  found  some  works 
of  Owen,  the  works  of  the  author  of  the  whole  duty  of  man,  &  some 
occasional  sermons  that  appeared  to  belong  to  the  first  generation. 
Other  books  were  intermixed.  I  took  a  fac  simile  of  the  name  in 
the  hand  writing  of  Philip  English.  The  next  thing  which  attract- 
ed my  notice  was  the  number  of  papers,  of  which  I  could  only  take 
a  cursory  notice  at  the  time,  as  I  wished  to  know  their  general  con- 
tents, so  that  after  distribution  I  might  know  for  what  papers  to 
apply.  There  was  a  great  variety.  In  French,  belonging  to  the 
Senior  John  Tousel,  was  in  MSS.  a  complete  method  of  teaching  nav- 
igation at  that  time.  There  was  also  a  method  in  English.  Both 
in  use  about  the  commencement  of  the  last  century.  The  spelling 
was  more  correct  in  the  French  than  English,  but  the  diagrams  of 
both  were  often  correct  &  beautiful.  A  great  variety  of  bonds  & 
deeds  discover  the  mode  of  doing  this  kind  of  business,  but  as  this 
is  presented  in  the  Laws,  the  pleasure  from  reviewing  these  must 
arise  from  the  discovery  of  old  Landmarks,  antient  possessors,  & 
the  handwritings  of  the  times.  One  curious  paper  I  saw  which 
contained  a  list  of  the  articles  taken  from  the  house  of  Philip  Eng- 
lish by  Sheriff  Curwin  when  English  &  his  wife  were  taken  for 
witchcraft.  There  is  a  deed  of  Eleanor,  Wid.  of  W.  HoUingsworth, 
to  Philip  Cromwell  of  her  husband's  Estate,  signed  in  1672.  There 
is  also  a  deposition  of  Margaret  Becket,  aged  60,  in  1677,  in  which 
she  attests  to  a  promise  made  by  W.  HoUingsworth  respecting  hia 
estate  in  1665.  This  shews  the  early  controversies  of  the  families. 
There  is  also  a  deposition.  There  is  also  a  writ  of  execution  served 
upon  the  estate  of  W.  HoUingsworth  for  16£,  in  1674.  A  Mr.  Buf- 
fington,  aet.  82,  in  1722  deposed  that  on  the  place  which  Mr.  Eng- 
lish then  held,  &  which  was  called  the  Framing  place,  easterly  & 
southerly  of  the  Common,  &  bounding  upon  a  road,  had  been  occu- 
pied by  two  Houses  belonging  to  Pudeater  which  appeared  to  him 
must  have  been  built  before  1661.  Pudeater,  the  Blacksmith,  died 
in  1681,  &  English  purchased  his  estate  as  appears  by  the  papers. 
There  is  also  a  paper  in  french  in  which  John  Tousel  confesses 
himself  indebted  to  Philip  English  for  money  received  in  Jersey, 
or  Jersie,  which  was  the  place  of  nativity  to  both  of  them.  English 
seems  to  have  been  known  to  his  Country  as  one  in  Boston  appoints 
him  his  Attorney  in  1698.  It  was  Philip  Poingdexter.  There  is 
mention  made  also  of  Mary,  Wid.  of  Thomas  Downing.  I  saw  on- 
ly one  paper  of  business  upon  parchment.     Among  the  papers  of  a 


448  »  DIARY  OF  [Sept. 

later  date  my  attention  was  drawn  to  a  certificate  from  the  Naval 
officer  dated  1728.  It  was  signed  Samuel  Gatman,  Naval  officer. 
It  was  respecting  property  &  ought  to  be  preserved.  From  these 
papers  information  might  be  obtained  of  the  price  of  all  articles  & 
indeed  the  demands  for  them  as  well  as  the  names  of  the  principal 
persons  in  business  &  the  mechanics  employed  by  them  &  masters 
of  Vessels,  &c.  By  one  record  I  find  fish  for  Cargo,  1695,  reckoned 
at  14*  pr.  Quintal.  In  1666  there  is  an  engagement  to  supply  W. 
Hollingsworth  with  a  quantity  of  Tobacco  which  was  to  be  shipped 
on  his  account.  These  are  the  articles  which  attracted  particular 
notice  &  convinced  me  how  much  information  I  might  derive  from 
the  careful  examination  of  these  papers,  which  are  promised  to  me. 
The  furniture  was  so  various  that  it  was  very  much  disposed  of 
in  Lots  for  appraisement,  so  that  little  can  be  learnt  from  the  In- 
ventory &  the  Articles  of  cloathing  were  not  at  the  Mansion  house 
but  at  the  daughter's  in  whose  house  the  Mother  died.  The  silver 
&  Cloathes  I  had  seen  before  &  so  did  not  examine  them  again. 
The  trophies  from  Curwin  were  the  only  resentment  of  the  kind  I 
could  ever  justify,  &  I  have  noticed  elsewhere.  In  Iron  there  was 
hardly  a  thing  to  be  imagined  that  could  not  be  found.  Tools,  uten- 
sils, &  every  article  of  domestic  use.  I  saw  nothing  of  superiour 
workmanship,  or  of  very  curious  form.  The  pictures  which  were 
antient,  were  dutch  &  french.  Of  a  curious  case  of  bottles,  the  top 
was  lined  with  a  dutch  picture  of  Death  &  Hell,  with  labels  & 
french  verses  below.  The  Tables  were  numerous  &  of  all  sizes. 
The  more  antient  chairs  had  been  given  to  me,  such  as  remained 
after  plundering  the  house  in  1692.  This  event  convinces  me  that 
the  articles  in  general  must  have  been  posteriour  to  that  event,  tho' 
the  papers  were  not.  Few  things  appeared  of  older  date.  Many 
chests  were  to  be  seen  &  a  trunk,  the  largest  I  ever  beheld,  but  into 
which  I  could  get,  &  in  high  preservation,  considering  its  known 
antiquity.  By  comparing  this  furniture  with  the  list  of  articles 
taken  by  Curwin,  I  may  nearly  determine  what  remains  from  the 
description  &  value,  tho'  I  think  few  things  then  in  the  house,  but 
many  things  belonging  to  the  Holinsworth  family.  The  Looking 
glasses  were  distinguished  by  their  forms  &  broad  frames.  Some 
of  the  tables  were  beyond  any  round  tables  I  had  seen,  but  not  of 
the  richest  materials ,  nor  so  heavy  as  the  antient  tables.  The  beds 
&  bedding  were  evidently  modern,  not  above  one  hundred  years  old. 
The  Glassware  was  smaller  than  we  use  but  more  globular.  The 
plates  were  chiefly  of  the  delft  ware.  The  bottles  in  the  cases 
which  were  small  had  pewter  heads  in  which  screwed  pewter  stop- 
ples. 

10.  Died  this  morning  the  wife*  of  my  friend  Patterson.  Quite 
an  honest  woman  but  in  great  danger  of  being  be  guiled  by  the  fa- 
natics who  visit  her  from  Beverly,  &  who  with  zeal  enough,  &  igno- 

•Mra.  Mehitable,  wife  of  Capt.  William  Patterson. 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  449 

ranee  in  extreme,  had  neither  virtue  nor  charity.  In  the  afternoon, 
with  Mr.  Logan,  I  went  on  board  the  Danish  ship  which  is  at  an- 
chor in  our  harbour.  She  is  in  the  King^s  service.  I  was  pleased 
with  the  attentions  of  the  Captain,  &  not  a  little  surprised  to  find 
the  Contents  of  his  library.  With  his  Bible  &  Books  of  devotion 
to  which  he  seemed  attentive,  I  found  Mirabeau's  System  of  Na- 
ture, &  publications  of  Bahrt  &  Knigge.  He  disapproved  the  spec- 
ulations of  the  first,  but  he  professed  to  be  fond  of  the  moral 
thought  of  the  latter  writers.  He  had  part  of  a  periodical  german 
publication  respecting  the  American  War.  We  were  offered  a  glass 
of  wine,  &  the  parts  of  the  Ship  were  shown  to  us.  I  gave  him  an 
invitation  to  visit  me  &  left  my  name.  The  visit  was  accidental 
altogether,  not  being  able  to  land  the  Ladies  on  Marblehead  side  as 
we  expected,  the  tide  being  low. 

11.  In  the  evening  I  left  Salem  &  went  for  Roxbury,  to  preach 
in  Mr.  Porter's  pulpit.  I  reached  Cambridge  &  lodged  at  the  An- 
chor, Porter's.     Next  morning  I  went  on  to  Roxbury. 

12.  Sunday.  The  house,  which  is  oblong  &  the  pulpit  on  the 
largest  side,  has  by  this  circumstance  been  difficult  to  fill,  it  being 
much  farther  from  the  speaker  to  the  sides  than  to  the  front.  I 
dined  with  the  Widow  Ruggles  &  took  Tea  with  the  widow  of  the 
last  Governour  Sumner.  I  feel  a  higher  respect  every  time  I  see 
this  amiable  woman,  &  recollect  with  pleasure  that  I  sat  with  her 
at  Brooklyn  on  the  first  Sunday  after  marriage,  an  expression  on 
my  part  of  fond  affection  to  the  parties.  I  christened  &  attended 
a  funeral  &  then  went  into  Boston  &  spent  the  evening  with  Dr. 
Eliot.  The  house  in  Eoxbury  is  to  be  taken  down  &  a  new  one 
built  a  little  3outh  of  it.  The  new  house  is  to  be  in  wood.  Dr. 
Eliot's  in  Boston  is  taken  down,  &  they  are  prepared  to  lay  the 
foundation  of  a  Brick  Church.  The  first  Church  in  Roxbury  had 
for  its  first  Pastor  the  Apostle  Eliot  who  made  such  bold  attempts 
to  gospelise  the  Indians,  &  who  translated  the  Bible,  &c.  into  their 
Tongue.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter  succeeded  him  &  the  son  of  N.  W., 
Nathaniel,  was  at  the  other  parish.  Having  been  with  the  army  at 
Louisburg,  he  had  acquainted  himself  with  the  French  language  & 
made  a  free  use  of  the  French  preachers,  particularly  Bourdeau  & 
Claude.  He  had  in  his  Collection  above  50  volumes  of  French  ser- 
mons, when  french  was  hardly  known  in  the  Country.  He  had  a 
fine  imagination,  was  not  a  general  scholar,  &  finally  was  openly 
intemperate  &  died  as  did  his  Successor  Abbot,  with  open  shame. 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Walter  printed  an  Artillery  Election  sermon  &  a  Ser- 
mon at  the  Thursday  Lecture.  I  have  heard  of  no  other.  Dr.  Ers- 
kine  of  Scotland  who  had  seen  these  has  enquired  whether  any  other 
have  been  printed.  Dr.  Eliot  upon  his  tour  eastward  has  observed 
the  most  finished  Houses  of  worship,  but  he  rather  inclines  to  fav- 
our a  square  than  an  oblong  house,  as  he  could  be  scarcely  heard 
at  Newbury  Port  &  yet  has  always  filled  the  largest  house  with  the 


450  DIARY  OP  [Sept, 

largest  Congregation  in  Boston,     This   is  a  serious  matter  to  our 
public  speakers  &  we  hope  will  have  deserved  attention. 

13.  Visited  White  &  took  several  things  at  his  Store  &  exam- 
ined his  Bookstore.  Visited  at  West  Boston,  Peirce  who  has  a  great 
taste  for  Curiosities,  &  found  several  curious  things  added  to  his 
collection,  especially  from  England  &  from  the  North  West  Coast 
of  America.  Attended  the  funeral  of  Data,  the  wife  of  W.  Silsbee 
&  daughter  of  my  friend  John  Philips.  This  good  old  man  above 
80  years  of  age,  is  now  deprived  of  his  wife  &  all  his  children  & 
without  one  descendant.  No  man  has  walked  more  uprightly 
through  life  than  this  good  old  man.  I  saw  his  mother  just  before 
she  died  who  was  in  her  100th  year.  His  brother  is  88.  The  dif- 
ferent attempts  to  sell  the  burying  ground  &  house  of  worship  be- 
longing to  the  Friends  have  been  constantly  resisted  by  the  Friends, 
Philips  &  Pope,  who  are  the  only  two  old  men  who  remain  in  Boston. 

14,  We  are  told  a  barn  was  burnt  at  Salisbury,  &  a  man  killed 
at  Amesbury,  with  his  four  oxen,  that  he  was  driving  in  a  team 
loaded  with  Hay.  A  Barn  was  also  burnt  at  Burlington.  A  Fish 
House  was  also  damaged  by  lightning  in  Marblehead.  A  Friend 
at  Newbury  Port  thinks  the  storm  was  more  severe  north  of  the 
Merrimac. 

16.  We  attended  the  funeral  of  Eunice  Richardson,*  an  only 
daughter.  The  father  had  amassed  a  great  interest,  &  the  mother 
possessed  a  soul  filled  with  piety  &  charity.  She  spared  no  expences 
of  education,  but  the  accomplishments  of  the  mind  were  not 
happily  blended  with  experience  in  life.  The  addresses  of  a  stranger 
were  admitted,  tho'  a  foreigner,  &  at  length  refused  from  compli- 
ance with  the  wishes  of  friends.  The  pretentions  of  one  who  might 
have  better  claims  were  admitted  &  several  indiscretions  ensued. 
Innocence  was  exposed  to  censure,  &  friends  to  distress.  Indispo- 
sition followed.  Incidents  which  ought  to  be  lost,  marked  the  sit- 
uation, &  at  length  the  good  girl  after  all  her  indiscretions,  died. 
Many  virtues  were  strangely  blended  with  caprice,  much  sincerity 
with  affectation,  the  love  of  a  few  friends  was  opposed  to  prevalent 
opinion.  Alas,  that  education  should  not  have  more  of  the  best 
knowledge,  &  that  she  who  in  her  last  moments  gave  so  much  con- 
solation to  her  friends,  should  have  so  many  fears  in  the  world.  A 
long  procession  honoured  the  dead,  &  all  the  various  emotions  ac- 
companied the  train  of  mourners,  &c.  No  open  sin  &  yet  innocence 
had  not  all  her  joy. 

17.  A  pious  mother  so  indiscrete  as  to  wish  that  a  minister 
should  pronounce  upon  an  eqiiivocal  courtship  in  an  encomium  upon 
the  dead.  What  will  not  fond  affections  require  ?  My  Choirister 
has  lost  his  wife,  lost  his  friends,  lost  his  reputation,  &  lost  his 
property  &  now  it  is  given  out  that  he  has  failed  &  is  worse  than 
nothing. 

•Daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Eanice  (Putnam)  Richardson, 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  461 

18.  Attended  the  funeral  of  a  child  of  G.  Southward,  as  his 
minister  is  absent. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  Widow  Eunice  Richardson  &  children,  d. 
of  her  only  D.  Eunice,  pr.  for  children  absent,  two  at  Portland. 
William  Patterson  &  wife,  d.  of  his  mother,  pr.  for  a  Child  &  her 
Brother  sick,  &  for  brethren  absent,  two  B.  at  sea.  Mehitable 
Byrne,  d.  of  her  Mother  Paterson,  p.  for  Husband  &  Br.  at  Sea. 
George  Underwood  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Mother.  Widow  Mary  Pres- 
ton, d.  of  her  Sister  Underwood,  pr.  for  g.  son  at  sea.  Widow  Mar- 
garet White,  d.  of  her  Sister  Underwood.  Widow  Mary  Eoot,  d.  of 
her  grand  child  Southward.  Notes  delivered  last  Sunday  were  of 
Widow  Patterson  for  prayers  upon  d.  of  her  d.  in  Law  Paterson. 
Widow  Twisse  on  death  of  her  husband.  Of  Mr.  Browne  &  wife,  d. 
of  her  father  Twisse. 

21.  A  Military  Day.  The  Militia  Companies  under  arms.  As 
the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  were  at  Boston,  I  attended. 

22.  A  Rainy  day  but  the  Cadets  iiuder  arms  &  under  the  com- 
mand of  Capt.  Israel  Williams  &  the  Artillery  under  Capt.  Brooks. 
Mr.  Pickering  is  proposed  as  member  of  Congress.  He  has  been 
disgraced  in  the  Army  by  Washington  &  in  the  Civil  list  by  Adams. 
We  know  not  what  new  honours  are  in  store  for  him. 

23.  Yesterday  was  a  terrible  tornado  at  Newbury.  It  passed 
the  river  to  Salisbury  &  was  about  30  rods  wide  in  its  course.  It 
destroyed  Houses,  Barns,  Orchards,  Trees,  fences,  &  every  obstacle 
in  its  way.  It  is  affirmed  to  have  been  the  most  violent  ever  known 
in  this  part  of  the  Country,  &  never  was  such  experienced  at  New- 
bury within  the  memory  of  the  present  generation.  The  preceding 
night  at  Salem  was  boisterous  &  the  wind  squally  from  the  S.  W., 
the  same  point  as  at  Newbury,  but  the  rain  was  in  showers  through 
the  day  without  any  unusual  convulsions  in  the  atmosphere. 

25.  In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  Endicott's  to  borrow  the  dial  of 
the  Governour  as  it  is  a  great  curiosity.  I  was  very  desirous  to  ob- 
tain it,  as  it  was  made  &  sent  over  to  the  Governour  in  1630,  &  cal- 
culated for  Salem,  Lat.  42,  as  it  is  marked.  It  was  made  by  William 
Bowyer  of  London,  clock  maker  &  is  marked  with  the  initials  of  Gov. 
Endicott's  name  I.  E.*  Preparations  are  making  to  repair  the  road 
to  Danvers  through  Northfields.  The  straight  road  is  given  up  & 
the  old  road  is  to  be  widened.  Mr.  Gardner,  at  the  cross  roads,  had 
begun  to  build  his  new  wall  on  the  new  line.  Col.  Derby  has  done 
much  upon  his  new  wall  on  the  other  road  in  front  of  his  farm,  & 
it  is  expected  that  others  will  follow  his  example. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes.  Nathaniel  Stone  &  wife,  child  sick.  This 
is  the  minister  of  Windham,  Maine,  upon  the  visit  to  her  friends. 
She  an  Andrew,  &  their  only  child  lays  very  sick  in  Winter  street. 
Lydia  Townsend  &  Children,  d.  of  her  only  Son,  Husband  &  friends 
at  Sea.     William  Patterson  &  wife,  d.  of  a  child,  two  Brothers  at 

•Now  preserved  in  the  museum  of  tbe  Essex  Institute. 


452  DIABY  OP  [Oct. 

Sea.  Joseph  Walden  for  his  wife  dangerously  sick.  Samuel 
Worcester  lately  dismissed  from  Fitchburg  is  preaching  in  the  Tab- 
ernacle Church  in  this  Town.  The  Kevd.  Thomas  Lyoll,  calling 
himself  a  Chaplain  of  Congress,  who  advertised  to  preach  in  the 
Court  House  last  Sunday  at  one  &  five  o'clock,  actually  preached  at 
the  first  hour  in  the  Court  house  &  in  the  evening  at  Mr.  Hopkins. 
We  are  told  that  the  advertisement  in  his  name  was  properly  from 
his  friends.  We  are  not  accustomed  to  these  advertisements  which 
are  common  in  the  Southern  States.  Mr.  Boddily  the  imported  min- 
ister of  Newbury  Port,  who  has  been  so  active  in  the  religious  stirs, 
is  now  so  entirely  deranged  that  a  Brother  in  Law  Giles  officiates 
for  him.     His  countenance  has  long  led  to  such  expectations. 

28.  Mr.  Palfrey  from  Marblehead  proposed  the  printing  of 
some  music  which  is  his  own  composition.  Mr.  Corn^  the  Italian 
Painter  with  me.     I  subscribed  for  one  dozen  of  Palfrey's  music. 

October  1  [1802].  It  is  now  determined  that  Timothy  Picker- 
ing, the  Ex-Secretary,  shall  be  candidate  for  the  next  Congress,  & 
his  rival  is  Hon.  Jacob  Crowninshield.  Mannassah  Cutler  is  for 
the  other  district  opposed  to  Dr.  Kitteridge.  Electioneering  is  be- 
gun of  course. 

2.  Our  numerous  Southern  visitors  begin  to  return  southward. 
The  Town  are  adding  to  the  number  of  their  wells.  The  well  in 
North  field,  on  the  Common  near  Winter  street,  &  at  the  opening 
of  Gerrish  Street  in  Essex  Street,  as  you  pass  into  East  Street,  are 
now  nearly  completed.  Beverly  Bank  notes  are  in  circulation.  The 
Proprietors  of  Essex  Bridge  have  employed  the  Thistles  to  collect 
the  toll  of  their  Bridge  at  a  premium  said  of  700  dollars. 

3.  Sunday.  Notes.  Andrew  English  &  wife,  d.  of  a  Child  & 
for  her  &  2  children  sick.  Joseph  Walden  &  wife,  for  her  &  3 
children  sick.  Hannah  Webb,  d.  of  child,  pr.  for  husband  &  breth- 
ren at  Sea.  Mr.  Stone,  minister  of  Windham,  lost  his  child  this 
day,  upon  whose  account  he  has  been  detained  in  this  town. 

7.  We  dined  &  had  a  friendly  interview  at  Mr.  B.  Ward's,  a 
happy  day.  The  contrast  of  his  situation  in  his  new  connections  is 
great  &  we  are  all  convinced  that  no  evils  of  past  life  were  from 
the  man.  We  had  several  portraits  before  us  &  several  interesting 
anecdotes.  Mr.  Hazlett's  executions  in  miniature  were  excellent. 
Mr.  Corn6  as  a  painter  of  ships  has  great  excellence.  Some  of  his 
paintings  of  portraits  are  good.  A  Mr.  Verstille  has  at  present  great 
fame  &  it  is  believed  great  success.  Our  good  Schoolmaster  Lang 
&  family  were  with  us. 

8.  As  a  Carver  we  place  Mr.  Macintire  with  Skillings  of  Boston. 
In  some  works  he  has  succeeded  well.  He  cuts  smoother  than  Skillings 
but  he  has  not  his  genius.  In  architecture  he  excells  any  person  in  our 
country,  &  in  his  executions  as  a  Carpenter,  or  Cabinet  maker.  His 
Brother  executes  the  work  at  Allen's  farm. 

9.  Arrived,  Jeremiah  Briggs  from  Sumatra.     This  very  young 


CAPT    GEORGE  CURWEN. 

I  61  0-  I  685. 

From   the  painting   in    possession   of  the    Essex   Institute. 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,  D.  D.  453 

man  is  very  promising.  His  Brother  Johnson  lately  arrived  at  Bos- 
ton. His  ship  was  sold  in  London.  Capt.  G.  C[rowninshield]  junr. 
in  directing  his  ship  America,  grounded  on  the  shoals  north  w.  of 
the  Haste,  &  lay  half  an  hour.  It  was  an  uncommon  ebb  &  at  dead 
low  water,  no  damage.  As  I  am  charged  as  Editor  of  the  Register, 
I  promised  Mr.  Carlton  it  should  not  be  without  some  attention  to 
him. 

10.  Sunday.  Notes.  Wid.  Eliz.  Andrew  &  child,  d.  of  her 
grand  child,  child  of  Revd.  Nathaniel  Stone  of  Windham  &  for 
absent  friends.  Mr.  Stone's  only  child  died  &  was  buried  on  Mon- 
day last,  set.  7  months.  Susanna  Saunders  &  Sisters,  d.  of  their 
Sister,  pr.  for  absent  friends  &  relations.  Priscilla  went  on  with  W. 
Mason  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  &  died  there.  The  Father  absconded  & 
the  Mother  was  a  Mason  &  is  dead.  Zechariah  Marston  for  his  wife 
sick,  she  died  the  same  day.  There  has  been  a  fast  at  the  Taber- 
nacle upon  the  subject  of  inviting  a  minister  to  that  charge. 

11.  News  came  that  Tracey  Collins  had  died  at  Havana.  This 
young  man  had  adventured  largely  in  the  Slave  Trade,  &  has  been 
charged  with  great  cruelties.  He  was  wounded  &  much  cut,  &c.  &c. 
He  belonged  to  a  most  worthy  family. 

12.  Delivered  to  Mr.  Corn^,  the  original  painting*  in  oil  of  Mr. 
George  Curwin,  who  came  to  Salem  in  1633  &  died  in  1685,  aged 
75  years.  As  the  original  was  much  injuried,  the  extreme  parts 
were  seperated  &  only  a  half  length  preserved,  but  the  face  left 
untouched.  In  its  present  form  it  will  be  of  the  size  of  Gov.  En- 
dicott.  My  engagement  with  the  family  is  half  a  guinea  for  the 
portrait.  Mr.  Thacher  was  delivered  to  Dr  Thacher  of  Boston  for 
a  guinea.  Mr.  Thacher  was  already  in  possession  of  the  original 
much  defaced.  There  was  a  relationship  between  the  Thachers  & 
Curwins.  Mr.  Corn^  is  endeavouring  to  introduce  the  Tomatos, 
love  apples,  pomme  d'amour,  or  his  favorite  Italian  pomo  d'oro.  He 
finds  it  difficult  to  persuade  us  even  to  taste  of  it,  after  all  his 
praise  of  it. 

17.  Sunday.  Notes.  Andrew  English  &  children,  d.  of  his 
wife,  pr.  for  a  child  sick,  youngest.  Andrew  English  &  children^ 
d.  of  his  d.  in  Law  English.  John  Babbidge  &  wife,  d.  of  youngest 
child,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  John  Becket  &  wife,  d.  of  g.  son 
Babbidge,  pr.  for  his  eldest  son  at  Sea.  John  Emerton  &  wife,  d. 
of  their  child.  John  Williams  &  children,  d.  of  his  wife,  pr.  for  a 
friend  at  sea.  James  Archer  &  wife,  d.  of  their  child,  pr.  for  breth- 
ren at  sea.  Josiah  Gatchel  &  wife,  her  delivery.  Thomas  Groves 
&  wife,  her  delivery,  pr.  for  a  father  &  Brother  at  Sea. 

18.  This  day  was  our  preparatory  military  day.  The  Militia 
turned  out  in  companies.  On  Thursday  they  are  to  form  a  line  in 
North  field.  The  first  words  ever  said  to  me  of  Salem  were.  Be- 
ware of  G.   C[rowninshield].     We  called  upon   him  &  it  was  the 

*Now  preserved  in  the  museum  of  the  Essex  Institute. 


454  DIARY   OF  [Oct. 

first  &  only  refusal  we  had.*  His  son  afterwards  subscribed  in 
behalf  of  the  firm.  After  telling  us  that  he  instructed  Count 
R[umford]  in  making  chimnies,  that  he  had  on  foot  a  charity  for 
the  poor  of  the  Town  of  2000  D.  &  several  other  rousers,  he  declined 
tho'  he  had  before  given  every  encouragement  upon  a  private  appli- 
cation. It  was  only  because  he  saw  more  worthy  men  before  him 
on  the  List. 

22.  The  four  buried  from  the  family  of  Perkins  near  the  neck. 
The  wife  of  Isaac  &  daughter  of  John.  The  Mother  of  Robert's 
wife,  aged  96,  &  the  fatherf  of  them  all  this  day  aged  88.  The  sons 
not  worthy  of  the  parents. 

23.  The  weather  has  obliged  the  putting  off  the  Military  Pa- 
rade from  Thursday  last  to  this  day.  As  the  Common  was  not  fit 
to  be  trampled  the  Regiment  paraded  in  North  fields,  just  beyond 
the  new  Road  which  passes  from  Horse  pasture  point  road  to  the 
water,  laid  out  by  the  heirs  of  Dr.  Walter  of  Boston. 

24.  Sunday.  Notes.  Mary  Perkins,  d.  of  her  husband,  pr.  for 
Children  in  distant  land.  John  Perkins  &  wife  &  Children,  d.  of 
his  Father,  p.  son  at  sea.  Isaac  Perkins,  d.  of  his  Father.  Wid. 
Phoebe  AVood  and  Children,  d.  of  her  Father  Perkins,  pr.  for  a  son 
weak  &  low.  Joseph  Walden  &  wife,  thanks  for  recovery  of  wife 
&  3  children,  d.  of  their  youngest  child.  Wid.  Eliz.  Andrew,  pr. 
for  son  Nath.  dangerously  sick,  pr.  for  absent  children.  Thomas 
Magown  &  wife,  her  delivery.  At  Lynn,  Oct.  20,  died  John  Carnes, 
Esqr.,  set.  79.  He  was  educated  at  Cambridge  &  graduated  in  1742. 
He  was  settled  in  the  ministry  at  Stoneham  &  afterwards  dismissed. 
He  then  settled  at  Rehoboth  &  was  dismissed.  He  then  continued 
to  preach  in  vacant  parishes  &  at  the  time  of  the  revolution  preached 
in  a  part  of  Concord,  called  Carlisle,  since  its  incorporation.  His 
talents  were  small  &  his  manners  displeasing  but  his  simplicity 
had  no  vice  in  it.     He  afterwards    retui-ned   to   Ljoin   where   he 

,  married  into  a  good  family  &  by  the  prosperity  of  his  children 
rose  to  competence,  was  in  the  General  Court  &  became  justice  of 
the  peace.  His  poverty  returned  again  towards  the  close  of  life  tho' 
not  in  extreme.  We  used  often  to  laugh  at  Carnes,  but  there  was 
many  a  worse  man  in  our  wicked  world. 

25.  Mr.  Isaac  Perkins,  who  died  last  week,  was  born  in  Tops- 
field  &  lived  in  Boxford,  upon  the  line  towards  Topsfield,  His  first 
wife  was  a  Perkins  &  by  her  he  had  9  children  of  whom  four  sur- 
vive him.  After  her  death  he  married  a  second  wife,  Mary  Curtis 
of  Marblehead,  &  soon  after  marriage  moved  to  Salem,  IG  years 
ago.  His  son  Isaac  was  then  in  flourishing  circumstances,  &  his 
son  John  on  the  Neck  farm.  He  gave  up  his  land  to  receive  a  main- 
tenance from  Isaac  &  had  cause  to  repent  it.  His  widow  married 
first  a  Gardner,   then  a  Kennedy,   &  this  was  her  third   husband. 

*In  relation  to  a  subscription. 

tisaac  Perkins,  formerly  of  Topsfield. 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.  D.  456 

She  has  a  Son  who  lost  his  arm  in  the   war,  at  Moultonborough, 
N.  H.  &  a  daughter  married  at  Cheshire,  N.  H. 

26.  ^Ir.  Palfrey  called  upon  me  about  singing.  He  promised 
to  open  a  school  «&  I  promised  to  send  three  scholars  at  two  dollars. 
He  is  about  to  published  his  music  to  which  I  wrote  a  short  pref- 
ace. The  attack  upon  me  i)ersonally  is  founded  upon  the  use  of 
the  word  convenient  in  my  INIasonic  address.  The  same  objection 
that  was  made  &  answered  some  time  ago.  Upon  me  the  vengeance 
is  to  be  poured. 

27.  Electioneering  high,  &  I  am  brought  by  name  into  public 
view.  The  conduct  of  the  Crowninshield  family  is  justified  &  op- 
posed. The  offering  of  the  Ship  America  is  imputed  to  sinister 
views.  But  that  she  was  too  old,  is  disproved  by  the  continued 
service  she  has  done  ever  since.  The  payment  of  40,000  dollars  is 
challenged.  It  is  said  it  was  paid  to  Consul  Obrian  at  Algiers  for 
interest  &  was  a  profitable  adventure.  To  this  it  is  replied  that  no 
interest  was  paid  &  that  the  money  was  of  high  service.  The 
truth  is,  the  sons  of  G.  C.  are  good  merchants  &  in  preference  far, 
his  son  Jacob.  His  education  is  not  finished.  The  greatest  ob- 
stacle to  his  promotion  is  the  public  opinion  of  his  Father's  loqua- 
city &  at  least  habitual  indiscretion,  by  which  his  usefulness  is 
lost, 

28.  An  alarm  of  fire  at  Barker's  Blacksmith's  Shop  below  Derby 
S.  &  opposite  to  Carlton's  street.  Not  much  damage,  at  noon.  The 
Servant  had  not  left  it  five  minutes,  &  he  who  came  last  had  been 
lately  threatened  for  intempere&ce.  Mr.  B.  is  not  without  great 
suspicions,  as  three  shirts  were  found  near  the  fire,  which  he  pre- 
tended he  laid  for  washing.   A  new  place  &  perhaps  a  pretence. 

29.  Last  evening  a  Caucus  was  held  in  a  lai-ge  Hall  belonging  to 
Khust  near  the  center  of  the  Town.  It  is  the  first  that  has  ever 
been  held  upon  general  principles  since  I  have  been  in  Town  &  prob- 
ably ever  held  by  a  popular  party  in  it.  Chosen  &  select  men  have 
met,  but  not  so  large  a  body.  Above  an  hundred,  allowed  by  all, 
assembled  in  the  evening.  Esqr.  Ward  was  moderator  &  Jo.  Story 
the  speaker.  Their  union  &  good  order  were  distinguishing.  The 
Gazette  affected  to  ridicule  them,  but  their  strength  was  beyond  ex- 
pectation. 

30.  The  Centinel  announced  the  death  of  my  Brother  in  Law 
Charles  Wooley.  He  was  from  England,  married  my  youngest 
sister,  &  has  two  children.  He  was  very  industrious,  active, 
enterprising,  &  prosperous,  open  in  his  temper,  kind  in  his 
family  &  beloved  by  his  acquaintance.  In  business  he  was  at- 
tentive, invective,  &  much  approved.  He  died  at  Havana  in  the  31 
year  of  his  age  with  the  prospect  of  a  good  voyage  before  him  & 
under  good  &  rich  owners  of  the  Ship  which  he  commanded.  In 
the  midst  of  the  best  prospects  he  has  disappeared. 

21.     Sunday.     Notes.     Mercy  Welman-,  d.  of  her    Br.  Thomas 


456  DIARY  OP  [Nov» 

Mascoll,  pr.  for  son  at  sea.  Mary  Foot,  d.  of  her  Br.  Th.  Mascoll^ 
pr.  for  herself  sick.  Samuel  Webb  &  wife,  d.  of  their  son,  d.  of  her 
Brother  Palfrey,  pr.  for  Brethren  at  Sea.  Ord.  at  Newbury  Port, 
17  Oct.,  by  Bp.  Bass,  Nathaniel  Bowen,  son  of  the  Revd.  Penuel 
Bowen,  first  settled  at  the  New  South  Church,  Boston,  in  1766  &  dis- 
missed in  1772,  then  a  Merchant,  and  afterwards  in  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  S.  C.  N.  Bowen,  the  son,  is  assistant  Minister  of  St. 
Michael,  in  Charleston,  S.  C.  We  hear  that  there  are  new  difficul- 
ties in  lower  Dan  vers  with  Revd.  Mr.  Mead  which  will  probably  is- 
sue in  a  seperation. 

November  1  [1802].  All  Saints  day  was  given  to  our  election 
of  Member  in  Congress.  The  Republicans  having  assembled  on. 
Thursday,  met  also  on  Sunday  night.  The  day  was  rainy  &  much 
business  was  not  to  be  done  abroad.  The  Selectmen  were  firm. 
The  seats  were  kept  entirely  clear  in  which  they  were  placed.  The 
votes  were  given  in  without  crowding  near  the  boxes,  &  any  impo- 
sitions, tho'  contended  for  in  some  regulations  which  might  cover 
them  were  prevented.  At  five  the  votes  were  counted,  &  from  the 
largest  number  of  votes  ever  produced  in  the  Town,  a  majority  of 
77  was  found  for  Crowninshield.  We  learn  this  evening  that  a  clear 
majority  was  found  for  him  in  the  votes  of  the  District  so  that  he 
is  certainly  elected. 

2.  Went  to  Boston  &  the  disappointment  of  parties  was  great. 
The  Republicans  had  gained  more  than  they  expected  &  the  Feder- 
alists had  lost  more  than  they  ever  expected  or  even  imagined.  The 
two  Candidates,  John  Quincy  Ada,ms,  son  of  the  late  President,  & 
late  minister  at  Berlin  &  the  Ex-Secretary  Pickering  were  both  re- 
jected by  the  people  &  Eustis  &  Crowninshield  elected.  The  result 
of  these  Elections  will  have  a  powerful  influence  upon  public  opin- 
ion, &  must  form  an  important  event  in  our  history  connected  with 
the  fate  of  Bayard  in  Delaware. 

5.  Not  all  the  moderation  of  the  Register  could  save  the  repub- 
licans from  insult  in* "the  Gazette.  A  poor  drunken  fellow,  John 
Pyn^jheon,  son  of  a  worthy  man  deceased,  &  lately  a  Captain  in  the 
peace  esj;ablishment,  but  now  a  worthless  man,  lately  from  jail,  pub- 
lished a  severe  invective.  The  children  cannot  entirely  forget  pope 
day.  Tho'  there  was  no  exhibition,  the  rudeness  of  the  Streets 
discovered  in  the  evening  that  the  old  practices  were  not  entirely 
forgotten. 

7.  Died,  4  Nov.,  Revd.  John  Boddily,  Newbury  Port,  aet.  47.  A 
few  years  since  this  stranger  came  to  America,  having  been  a  Dis- 
senting minister  in  England.  According  to  his  own  account,  he 
had  experienced  great  domestic  troubles,  &  had  been  divorced,  & 
then  had  married  his  housekeeper.  He  was  so  popular  at  Newbury 
Port,  that  part  of  the  deceased  Mr.  Murray's  congregation,  with  a 
Mr.  Titcombe  at  their  head,  built  him  a  handsome  meeting  house. 
His  temperance  was  rather  suspected,  but  he  was  busy  in  the  new 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  467 

light  times  there,  &  finally  became  distracted  &  is  now  dead.  A 
man  of  slender  powers,  &  little  information,  much  zeal  &  addicted 
much  to  travelling  stories.  Nov.  2,  Revd.  Stephen  Hull  was  or- 
dained at  Amesbury.  He  has  long  preached  &  had  been  in  Metho- 
dist orders.  They  first  took  &  then  prevailed  on  a  particular  coun- 
cil to  ordain  him. 

9.  Mary  Lambert  who  died  last  week,  set.  68,  at  Wenham,  had 
been  there  through  the  season.  She  was  of  the  family  of  Whites, 
first  married  a  Scollay  &  then  Capt.  Joseph  Lambert.  The  family 
have  all  had  rich  natural  endowments,  but  some  excentricities  of 
manners,  &  condition  have  attended  them  all.  Two  sisters  are  left. 
Mrs.  Greenwood  &  the  widow  of  Dr.  William  Fairfield. 

10.  The  public  attention  has  been  engaged  by  the  indiscretion 
of  Capt.  G.  G.*  in  cutting  down  the  fence  below  Hardy  street.  He 
had  to  pay  damages  &  the  grand  jury  have  the  complaint.  The 
warm  politicians  have  this  affair  to  assist  in  persecuting  the  family, 
which  has  been  lately  favoured  by  the  public  votes  in  the  competi- 
tion with  the  Pickering  interest.      Much  noise. 

13.  A  road  is  proposed  from  Chelmsford  to  Salem  through  Tops- 
field.  It  is  mentioned  to  continue  it  to  Amherst.  At  Newbury  Port 
they  talk  of  a  Turnpike  to  Boston,  leaving  Salem.  The  road  to 
Cape  Ann  round  Manchester  great  hill,  finished.  Widening  the 
road  through  Northfields.  The  Middlesex  canal  has  been  passed 
from  Merrimac  to  Boston.  Such  are  the  improvements  proposed  & 
accomplished  in  our  part  of  the  Country. 

16.  There  is  nothing  which  angry  passions  can  express,  which 
is  not  said  &  done  from  the  disappointment  to  the  friends  of  the 
Ex-Secretary.  The  pleasure  of  unexpected  success  has  been  as  great 
in  the  friends  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  administration.  It  is  a  real  tri- 
umph. Nothing  is  neglected  which  can  inflame  the  people,  or  aid 
the  report  that  all  was  unfair,  false  &  facetious.  We  learn  that  the 
Vessels  on  shore  at  Plum  Island  last  Saturday  week  did  not  suffer 
so  much  from  distress  of  weather  as  neglect.  One  Crew  was  lost, 
probably  in  their  boats.  Several  Bodies  have  been  taken  up  &  in- 
terred at  Ipswich.  The  other  in  which  the  people  tarried  &  were 
saved,  is  gotten  off  without  great  loss.  The  pretended  new  Gazette 
of  Newbury  Port  was  an  artifice  of  party. 

17.  The  printer  of  the  Register  in  this  town  was  obliged  to  ap- 
pear in  the  Supreme  Court  to  answer  to  a  bill  found  against  him  by 
the  Grand  Jury  for  uttering  &  publishing  falsehoods  respecting 
that  pest  of  Society,  the  Ex- Secretary,  the  enemy  of  Washington, 
the  enemy  of  Adams,  &  the  enemy  of  talents,  &  of  all  men,  who 
would  not  submit  to  the  tyranny  of  his  own  false  ambition.  The 
business  has  progressed  no  further  than  the  answering  to  the  charge. 
Bail  will  be  admitted.  Such  is  the  villainy  of  that  man  who  has 
pretended  contempt  of  public  criminations  to  which  he  could  not  re- 

•George  Crowninstiield. 


458  DIARY  OF  [Nov. 

ply,  &  who  has  returned  to  curse  the  neighbourhood,  which  has  al- 
ready been  abused  by  his  controversies,  &  contraventions.  Attended 
the  funeral  of  Blackburn's  wife  from  the  Charity  House.  He  was 
executed  for  murder  in  Salem  vseveral  yeaas  ago.  She  belonged  to 
the  Ep.  Communion  but  the  minister  could  not  attend. 

21.  Sunday.  Notes.  James  Archer  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Br.  James 
Archer,  pr.  Brs.  at  Sea.  Benj.  Archer  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother, 
pr.  for  Brs.  at  Sea.  Wm.  Patterson  &  wife,  d.  of  her  Brother,  pr. 
Brethren  at  Sea.     Benj  a.  Hawkes  &  wife,  d.  of  his  Brother. 

22.  It  is  now  said  as  the  politics  of  the  day,  that  the  Derby 
heirs  have  dismissed  their  Wharfinger,  S.  Ward,  because  of  his 
votes  for  the  Crowninshield  family  &  that  a  deliberate  plan  is 
adopted  to  expell  from  the  service  of  the  Feds  all  who  have  voted 
against  them.  All  such  we  are  assured  have  been  neglected  at  the 
Assembly,  for  this  winter.     So  warm  are  partizans. 

24.  The  Markets  higher  this  day  than  yesterday.  Turkies  at 
9/^,  or  12  1/2  cents,  ducks  at  4/6,  75  cents  a  pair.  The  rise  has 
happened  several  years.  My  friend  Breed  brought  some  of  his  wild 
Turkies  from  Nahant  which  are  of  prime  quality.  Articles  in  our 
Market  stand  highest  at  this  time.  Pork  was  4  1/2*^,  6  cents, 
which  is  moderate  compared  with  other  seasons.  Fowls  8*^,  11 
cents,  never  below  6^  or  8  cents.  Lamb  was  at  4  1/2*^,  about  6  cents. 
Eggs  1/6  or  25  cents,  but  often  sold  before  at  14  &  16  cents.  Milk 
round  the  year  4  1/2*^  or  6  cents,  now  8  cents.  Butter  9*^  which 
is  not  much  higher  than  common  price.  Beef  6*^  or  about  8  cents, 
the  usual  price  for  the  past  year.  Cranberries  Tuesday  4^  or  66 
cents,  Wednesday  8s  or  1.33.     Apples  good  at  6*  or  a  dollar. 

25.  Thanksgiving.  The  Contribution  exceeded  118  Dollars.  In 
the  afternoon  it  was  said  that  1100  persons  passed  upon  the  new 
Turnpike  which  is  now  opening  between  Salem  &  Boston. 

27.  At  Marblehead  has  died  the  noted  Capt.  Thomas  Peach,  be 
lieved  to  be  101  years  of  age.  He  pretended  that  he  was  baptised 
at  ten  years  of  age,  which  must  render  him  much  older.  But  he 
probably  has  lived  a  full  hundred  years.  Year  before  last  I  saw 
him  going  on  foot  to  Boston  on  Election  day  &  saw  him  soon  after 
actually  in  Boston.  At  90  he  could  mount  a  horse  easily.  He  was 
an  uncommon  pedestrian.  He  never  was  sick,  &  he  was  always 
chearful.  It  is  said  his  widow  is  above  90  years  of  age,  &  one  sis- 
ter 92  &  another  84.  His  name  is  very  familar  to  people  of  every 
age  as  he  was  noted  for  his  familiarity.  He  &  Mr.  Beals  of  Dor- 
chester were  the  most  active  after  90  years  of  any  men  I  have  ever 
known. 

December  4  [1802].  Master  Watson's  School  is  again  open.  After 
he  left  it,  a  Mr.  Cary  took  it  &  kept  it  but  a  short  time.  A  young  man 
from  Reading  succeeded  him  and  as  soon  left  it.  His  name  was  Pratt. 
This  month  a  Mr.  Pennel  has  opened  it,  we  hope  with  better  success. 
Mr.  W.  Kenney  is  to  open  a  Singing  School  in  this  part  of  the  Town. 


1802]  WILLIAM  BENTLEY,   D.   D.  459 

5.  Sunday.  Notes.  Hannah  Malcom,  d.  of  one  of  her  grands. 
Henderson,  Georges,  INIaine,  vet.  9,  Boy,  pr.  for  children  absent. 
Benja.  ^Millet  &  wife,  for  her  dang,  sick  of  a  fever,  pr.  for 
friends  at  Sea.  The  affairs  in  Lower  Danvers  with  Revd.  Mr. 
;Mead  Avill  issne  in  a  seperation.  This  is  their  third  minister, 
&  the  tirst,  Mr.  Frescott,  resigned.  A  Mv.  Hovey  from  Connecti- 
cut preaching  at  Haverhill  in  a  parish  there.  I  took  the  liberty  of 
preaching  upon  Singing,  to  recommend  attention  to  this  art,  as  in 
our  Congregation  it  begins  to  fail.  At  the  Communion,  for  the  first 
time,  we  introduced  other  music  than  with  the  usual  hymn  after  the 
service,  between  the  Blessing  &  distribution,  &  the  Thanksgiving  & 
the  delivery  of  the  Cup.  It  was  not  without  good  effect,  &  deserves 
encouragement. 

9.  Dined  this  day  with  our  fire  Club.  Nothing  has  been  lost  by 
fire  belonging  to  any  member  of  this  Club,  since  I  belonged  to  it, 
for  sixteen  years.  Our  number  is  30.  Tho'  the  present  year  has 
been  remarkable  for  fires  we  have  suffered  nothing.  Attended  the 
funeral  of  one  Lillie,  from  the  Charity  House.  He  came  to  town 
with  a  box  to  exhibit  pictures  by  a  magnifying  glass.  He  was 
drowned  by  accident,  manner  unknown,  probably  by  intemperance. 
He  was  supposed  to  be  a  German. 

10.  We  are  exerting  ourselves  to  get  Singers.  Our  number  of 
Visitors  large  this  evening.  The  difficulty  is  great  in  supplying  a 
School  in  the  Town.  Tho'  the  instruction  be  gratis,  few  are  pre- 
vailed upon  to  attend.  From  the  proposal  of  a  New  School  for  25 
selected  youth  the  School  of  Mr.  Bigelow  will  be  lessened.  He  has 
dismissed  his  assistants.  Mr.  Town  has  opened  a  writing  school 
in  the  west  end  &  Mr.  Fennel  in  the  east.  This  proposed  school  is 
called  by  some  the  Nobility  School,  from  the  party  which  proposes 
it.     Schools  multiply  in  Salem. 

11.  The  association  not  to  employ  the  friends  of  Crowninshield 
we  are  told  has  failed  by  the  manly  opposition  of  Mr.  Gray.  Farty 
noc  absolutely  mad  yet. 

12.  Sunday.  Notes.  Samuel  Silsbee,  junr.  &  wife,  her  delivery, 
pr.  for  brethren  at  Sea.  The  new  house  in  Beverly  was  opened  for 
the  first  time  this  day.  The  Service  was  to  be  from  Mr.  Farish  of 
Byfield,  the  Colleague  geographer  of  Dr.  Morse  of  Charlestown. 
We  are  told  that  a  preacher  at  Beverly  on  the  late  Thanksgiving 
told  his  congregation  we  had  been  under  a  war  like  David  in  AV[ash- 
ington],  a  Solomon  in  A[dams]  &  now  were  under  a  Jereboam.  Is 
this  Gospel  ? 

14.  Hon.  Joseph  Lee,  who  died  this  month  at  Cambridge,  was 
a  descendant  from  the  family  of  Lee  in  Boston  who  were  founders 
of  the  New  Brick  Meeting  House  in  1721,  when  they  seperated 
from  the  New  North  in  consequence  of  introducing  Peter  Thacher 
from  Weymouth.  His  father  lived  in  North  School  Street,  &  his 
uncle  Elder  Lee  lived  nearly  oppposite  to  the  new  Brick  Meeting 


460  DIARY  OP  [Dec. 

House  &  died  at  the  same  age  with  Judge  Lee,  set.  93.  Judge  Lee 
always  had  a  good  reputation.  He  was  attached  to  the  English  In- 
terest during  the  revolution,  but  never  left  the  country. 

16.  Our  Singing  School  last  evening  furnished  only  children  of 
early  age  not  ripe  enough  for  our  purpose.  Everything  has  been 
done  to  secure  success,  but  the  public  prejudice  rests  against  the 
art  of  Music,  as  having  too  great  a  tendency  to  prevent  the  improve- 
ment of  time.  And  in  no  place  could  amusement  have  less  plea^ 
than  in  Salem.  Industry  says  little  in  favour  of  Music  as  the  way 
to  riches. 

17.  Mr.  Goss*  died  of  apoplexy  after  a  fit  of  24  hours  from 
which  he  never  had  any  relief.  He  had  not  long  been  settled  in 
Salem.  The  cold  weather  which  came  on  yesterday  has  continued 
for  48  hours  with  unusual  severity.  The  glass  in  the  house  ranged 
from  9  to  11  &  the  whole  harbour  was  covered  with  a  sheet  of  ice, 
which  we  had  not  long  before  seen. 

18.  The  business  of  lighting  lamps  in  our  streets  has  great  suc- 
cess. The  whole  town  will  probably  be  soon  illuminated  at  private 
expence.  It  is  then  expected  that  the  Lamps  will  be  supported  at 
the  Town's  charge.  It  is  singular  that  never  before  such  a  thing 
should  have  been  used. 

19.  Sunday.  Notes.  John  Fairfield  &  wife,  d.  of  their  young- 
son,  &  th.  for  recovery  of  eldest  child.  Mehitable  Rhue,  d.  of 
eldest  Child,  pr.  for  husband  &  friends  at  Sea,  her  youngest  child 
remaining  sick.  Hannah  Rice,  d.  of  her  youngest  child,  pr.  for 
son  &  friends  absent,  Thomas  Rhue  &  wife,  d.  of  their  g.  son, 
Pr.  for  friend  at  Sea.  Mr.  Stephens  continues  Schoolmaster,  Min- 
ister, &  Justice  of  Peace  in  Isle  of  Shoals.  Mr.  Bodily 's  funeral 
sermon  by  Mr.  Dana  has  been  printed  at  Newburyport.  It  is  ac- 
companied with  some  account  of  that  weak  man.  It  will  be  hardly 
decent  to  tell  the  truth  about  him. 

24.  The  district  of  Maine  are  in  earnest  upon  the  subject  of  a 
seperation.  It  has  been  often  talked  of,  &  great  objections  have 
been  made  to  the  additional  expences  of  government.  But  their 
local  situation  evidently  calls  for  this  event,  and  the  example  of 
so  many  western  States  which  have  been  happily  formed  upon  a 
less  population  have  contributed  to  urge  the  public  wishes. 

25.  On  Christmas  Day  the  President's  message  in  Town.  It 
gives  a  most  favourable  account  of  these  states  in  their  foreign  re- 
lations &  in  their  domestic  affairs.  The  state  of  finances  is  very 
favourable  to  the  reputation  of  that  Economy  by  which  the  present 
administration  is  characterised.  But  it  does  not  escape.  It  is  in- 
stantly seized  by  the  harpies  &  Virgil  could  not  describe  the  hor- 
ours  of  the  banquet. 

26.  Sunday.  Notes,  Mary  Goss,  d.  of  her  Husband,  pr.  for 
children  absent.    Mary  Smith,  for  her   dang.  sick.     Martha  Bab- 

*Ricbard  Goss,  formerly  of  Bradford. 


1802]  WILLIAM   BENTLET,    D.    D.  461 

bidge,  delivery,  pr.  for  husband  at  Sea.  Last  week  died  Oliver 
Everett,  Esqr.  He  was  ordained  at  the  New  South  Church  in  Bos- 
ton, 2  Jan.  1782  &  continued  till  May  26,  1792.  He  had  not  pulpit 
talents  tho'  his  powers  of  mind  were  strong.  His  learning  was 
not  extensive  or  professional.  He  remained  unmarried  till  nearly 
the  time  of  his  dismission,  &  then  severing  connections  he  married 
himself  before  he  was  married  by  the  Law.  As  this  was  the  first 
instance  among  the  ministers  of  Boston  it  gave  great  offence.  His 
free  admission  into  the  pulpits  of  the  tovra  was  prevented,  &  his 
own  congregation,  always  small,  evidently  decreased.  He  resigned 
&  removed  to  Dorchester,  where  his  Brother  had  been  minister, 
who  had  also  resigned.  Mr.  Everett  held  the  office  of  a  Judge  in 
the  Superiour  Court.  He  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1779  &  died 
aged  51. 

28.  Last  evening  was  the  first  in  which  the  Lamps  furnished  by 
subscription  for  Essex  Street  were  lighted,  with  good  effect. 

30.  A  committee  is  appointed  in  Portsmouth  to  receive  the  do- 
nation for  the  sufferers  in  that  distressed  Town.  So  common  is  it 
in  America  to  attribute  every  thing  unusual  to  design  that  a  shop 
or  the  meanest  building  is  not  destroyed  without  a  cry  assisted  by 
the  Gazettes,  it  is  design.  Such  was  the  report  respecting  Ports- 
mouth. But  upon  calm  enquiry  respecting  the  time,  place,  &  first 
appearance  of  the  fire,  it  has,  by  persons  appointed  to  examine, 
been  declared  that  no  grounds  of  just  suspicion  do  exist.  We  trust 
alarms  do  not  always  prove  guilt,  if  they  often  do  the  precipitate 
judgment,  and  rash  folly  of  those  who  spread  them. 

31.  This  last  day  of  the  year,  passes  out  in  the  usual  employ- 
ment of  life.  No  man  pauses  from  business,  or  leaves  the  walks  & 
rounds  of  his  usual  employments.  Christmas  holy  days  are  not 
known  to  the  public.  It  is  easy  to  have  an  habitual  retrospect.  I 
cannot  inform  myself  of  all  the  business  of  the  Town,  but  of  the 
past  year  the  following  is  my  history  of  it.  76  Vessels  have  made 
entries  &  clearances  at  the  Custom  House  in  Salem  which  have  had 
some  connection  with  our  Society.  It  was  not  easy  for  me  to  get 
at  the  exact  tonnage  or  the  different  vessels.  By  entries  &  clear- 
ances I  could  most  easily  &  as  conveniently  judge  of  the  activity 
of  the  past  year.  For  a  complete  calculation  must  be  made  upon 
the  goods  imported  &  exported,  &  the  number  of  men  &  the  pre- 
cise expence  of  providing  for  Sea. 

Of  the  76  entries  &  clearances  45  were  of  vessels  owned  &  nav- 
igated by  members  of  the  Society  in  whole  or  in  part,  for  only  this 
could  be  known  even  to  the  merchants  themselves.  7  were  owned 
&  not  navigated  by  members  of  the  society,  &  24  were  navigated 
but  now  owned  in  the  Society.  Of  the  amount  of  the  duties  some 
account  may  be  gotten  from  the  Custom  House,  but  not  of  the 
value  to  the  ]^[erchant,  or  his  profits,  which  are  to  be  regarded  in 
the  first  place  in  this  calculation.     The  nature  of  the  voyages  may 


462  DIARY  OF  [1792 

be  learnt  when  it  is  considered  16  of  the  entries  &  clearances  were 
to  &  from  beyond  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  That  27  were  to  & 
from  Europe  &  in  the  Atlantic  &  Med.  seas.  That  27  were  to  and 
from  the  West  Indies  or  some  European  settlements  in  America,  & 
only  6  of  them  in  the  Coastery  trade  or  within  the  ports  of  the 
United  States.  The  number  includes  23  ships  at  entry  &  clearance 
only.  26  Brigs,  Ketchs,  Barks,  &  Snows,  26  Schooners,  with  one 
Sloop.  We  have  not  lost  so  many  at  Sea  as  in  the  past  year,  9 
were  lost  abroad  then,  &  only  5  in  the  present  year.  Only  one 
person  is  missing,*  supposed  to  have  foundered  at  Sea. 


1792.     Buildings,  &c.  in  Salem  below  Andrew's  Corner,  &c. 

June  9.  S.  Chever,  at  the  Corner  of  the  Common,  raised  his  Tan 
&  Bark  House,  having  finished  a. Water  Hole,  Two  Lime  Holes,  & 
six  Vats. 

June  18.  Forrester's  Cellar  for  Naval  Stores  at  the  head  of  his 
New  Wharf. 

June  21»  Forrester  raised  his  Store  of  Three  Stories  on  the 
Wharf,  good  frame. 

Aug.  24.     B.  Crowninshield's  Store  raised  on  the  Common. 

Aug.  31.     Joshua  Dodge  shingling  his  house  in  Derby  Street. 

Sept.  3.  A  small  House  removed  from  Daniel's  Lane,  on  the 
Corner  in  Derby  Street. 

Sept.  6.  Brown,  W.,  has  bought  &  is  repairing  Young's  House, 
opp.  Hodges,  Main  S.  Brown,  repairing  Shop  for  Block  Maker  at 
the  head  of  Forrester's  Wharf. 

Sept.  24.     S.  Chever,  on  the  Common,  increasing  his  Tan  Vats. 

Sept.  26.  John  Collins  preparing  to  Build  a  Tan  House  &  Vats 
before  his  House.  Young  has  raised  a  house  in  Daniel's  Lane. 
Fiske  has  painted  his,  &  M"^  Watson,  the  front  of  his  School  House. 

Oct.  10.  Lane  raised  a  story  upon  his  whole  House,  &  enlarged 
it  in  Derby  street,  towards  Becket's. 

March  15,  1793.  Capt.  Collins  enlarging  his  Tan  yards  &  Build- 
ings. 

April  3.  The  old  Mansion  house  of  Ward,  near  the  pump  & 
Distill  Houses,  taken  down  to  prepare  place  for  a  new  building. 
B.  Chever  removing  his  Tan  House  to  enlarge  his  Yard,  &  putting 
a  cellar  under  the  building. 

May.  The  part  of  the  Building  fronting  Turner's  Laoe  &  for- 
merly contiguous  to  a  House  belonging  to  Barker,  seperated,  en- 
larged &  repaired. 

June  21.  Richardson  has  moved  a  Store  upon  the  land  in 
Daniel's  lane. 

•Capt.  Hardy  Millet. 


1794]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  463 

July.  English's  House,  occupied  by  M.  Hartlionie,  Shingled. 
Harthorne's,  Union  street,  shingled  &  Clapboarded. 

Aug.  Mason's,  on  the  Common,  shingled,  &  walk  upon  it. 
Prat's  House  sold  to  Wright,  &  Store  formed  into  a  Bakehouse,  & 
front.  Lane's  House  repaired  &  Porch,  Derby  Street,  Brown,  on 
the  Common  sold  to  Briggs. 

Sept.  White's  Stores  &  Wharf  Sold  to  White,  &  Derby.  Pal- 
frey's, near  Becket's  enlarged,  &  Porches  added.  Small  House 
moved  on  to  Flint's  land,  bounding  on  the  Common. 

Mar.  17,  1794.  Gam,  Hodges,  new  Barn,  back  of  his  house  in 
the  Street. 

Mar.  20.  B.  Crowninshield,  new  back  part  of  his  House  in  the 
Street,  &c. 

June.  Gam.  Hodges,  new  end  to  his  House  &  repairs  in  the 
Street.  B.  Crowninshield,  entire  repairs  in  the  Street.  Manning, 
entire  finishing  of  House  of  Archer  in  Derby  Lane.  Burne's,  re- 
pairs, pediments  &c.  upon  house  in  Derby  lane.  Ashby,  repairs 
&  new  fences  &  painting  on  White's  House  in  Street.  Ring,  re- 
pairs &  enlargement  &  cellars  on  House  in  White's  Lane. 
Wright's,  repairs  on  Bake  House  formed  into  a  Dwelling  on  Com- 
mon. Chever's,  Building  raised  near  said  Dwelling  on  Common. 
Briggs',  entire  repairs  of  Browne's  House  on  the  Common.  Rich- 
ardson's, new  Windmill  for  Bark  on  the  Common.  All  the  Lots 
enlarged  &  fenced  from  Ives'  lane  downwards  &  fenced.  Ober's 
Land  converted  into  a  Ship  yard,  near  Becket's.  Common  railed 
on  the  Great  Road  &  several  hundred  Willows  planted.  Large 
Cistern  finished  at  the  head  of  the  Common.  Richardson  putting 
up  a  new  fence  before  his  buildings,  14  feet  outwards,  upon  the 
Grant  of  the  Town. 

July.  M""  Derby  has  raised  his  new  store  on  the  eastern  side  of 
his  Wharf  on  a  cobb  wharf,  about  the  middle  of  the  wharf.  The 
old  house  of  Becket  on  the  south  of  the  pass  from  the  Common  in- 
to the  Street  leading  to  Keck  Gate,  rebuilt  at  southern  end  by  one 
of  the  Daughters,  Widow  Cloutmau. 

Aug.  Capt.  White  carrying  out,  widening  &  repairing  White's 
western  Wharf  between  Derby  &  Forrester.  Bridge  widened  & 
finished,  passing  from  Ives'  Lane  to  Common.  Bridge  raised,  pass- 
ing from  the  Common  below  Becket  Street. 

Sept.  2.  A  Frame  of  a  Store  raised  in  the  Great  Street  just  be- 
low Andrew's  corner. 

Sept.  4.  The  Old  House  of  Col.  Turner,  back  part  taken  away, 
&  the  House  repaired  by  Capt.  S.  Ingersoll,  near  the  water.  Dun- 
lap  preparing  the  old  out  house  which  he  has  purchased  in  Derby 
Street  for  a  Malt  House. 

Oct.  LeFavre  has  moved  a  small  barn  upon  Palfrey's  Land  in 
Daniel's  Street.  Lufkin  has  raised  a  small  barn  near  his  House  in 
Turner's  Street.     M""  C.  Crowninshield  has  purchased  the  old  Man- 


464  DIARY  OF  [1795 

sion  of  Clif.  Crowninshield  in  Essex  St.  near  English  St.  &  is  re- 
pairing it.  M""  H.  Webb,  sen.  is  repairing  his  House  in  English 
Street.  M'  Hitchins  is  adding  &  repairing  Renew's  eastern  end  of 
a  House  in  Derby  Street,  bet.  Turner  &  Cromwell  Sts.,  South  Side  of 
Street.  M''  Vincent  is  lengthening  his  Walk  &  building  a  Tan 
House  below  Pleasant  Street.  Capt.  Lambert,  corner  of  Cromwell 
Street  in  Essex  Street,  is  shingling  his  House.  M"^  Derby  has 
raised  another  Store  on  his  Wharf.  Capt.  Joseph  White,  repairing 
Store  on  White's  Western  Wharf. 

Dec.  Hooper's  Angle  of  Land  cut  off,  &  Buildings  removed 
from  Bridge  Street,  so  that  the  projecting  angle  is  taken  away  & 
the  direct  line  on  the  east  side  of  the  Street  is  continued. 

January,  1795.  Lemon's  House  in  Bridge  Street  taken  down  by 
Gen.  Eiske.  They  are  removing  the  last  remains  of  Hooper's 
House  in  the  same  place. 

May  2.  Hosmer's  House  raised  on  the  Common,  bet.  Webb's  & 
Boardman's.  A  Small  Store  finishing  on  the  Corner,  E,  of  Long 
Wharf.  Ward  has  purchased  the  old  Mansion  House  of  Derby  & 
has  sold  &  opened  a  road  to  the  Small  House  back  of  Forrester's. 
Is  building  a  Chaise's  House,  &  making  alterations.  Palfrey's 
Land  again  inclosed,  laying  on  Daniel's  Street  S.  of  Derby  Street. 
Eepairs  made  on  East  Street  by  a  Bridge  &  Drain.  Knights  repair- 
ing the  family  house  at  the  Corner  of  the  Common,  Pleasant  street. 

May  8.  Hovey's  Buildings,  so  called,  in  Derby  Street  next  to 
Forrester's,  between  Curtis  &  Herbert's  Street,  so  long  a  nuisance 
&  in  dispute,  taken  away.  They  were  a  row  of  Shops  added  to 
each  other,  fronting  eastward.  Ward  repairing  his  building  in  Her- 
bert Street. 

June.  Ward  drawing  in  his  fence  to  widen  Derby  Street.  Allen 
laying  out  his  Land  in  continuation  of  Derby  Street. 

Sept.  Capt.  Ropes  repairing  Whittemore's  House.  Meeting 
House  repaired.     Derby  Street  continued  onw  rd  towards  the  Neck. 

Oct.  5.  Vincent's  20  piers  at  the  end  of  his  rope  walk,  360  feet, 
continued. 

Oct.  15.  Derby  sinking  a  new  Wharf  upon  his  purchase  from 
White's  Estate  &  making  angular  births  upon  the  upper  western 
side  of  his  String  to  get  vessels  out  more  easily. 

16.  Widening  English  Street.  Removing  Welman's  Store  from 
Derby  Street  to  Cromwell  Street. 

Nov.  6.  Remodeling  Lambert's  Store  from  Cromwell  Street,  be- 
hind the  House.  Since,  part  of  Derby  Store  on  White's  Wharf, 
down  to  James  Becket.  A  Shop  built  in  Union  Street  for  Hatters 
upon  Watson's  Land.  A  Shop  removed  into  Winter  Street  for 
Shoemakers.  Another  Shop  for  Shoemakers  moved  upon  Gardner's, 
Newbury  Street.  Another  Shop  for  Shoemakers  opened  in  Daniel's 
Street.  A  Small  Building  erected  for  S.  Beadle  in  Turner's  Street. 
Part  of  the  Blacksmith's  Shop,  corner  of  Union  Street  taken  off. 


1796]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.  D.  466 

M""  Derby  filling  up  &  altering  White's  Wharf  adjoining  to  his  own. 

January,  1796.  Perkins  moving  two  [nanny?]  Houses  upon 
Derby's  Lot  near  the  Neck.  At  the  second  removal,  Richardson 
was  killed.  M"^  Vincent  has  rebuilt  the  part  of  his  Ropewalk, 
blown  down.  Capt  Moses  Townsend  in  Derby  Street,  bet.  Turner 
&  Cromwell  Street,  raised  a  story  on  the  back  of  his  House. 

March.  Shop  taken  down  adjoining  to  Andrews  house,  corner  of 
Newbury  Street,  so  far  as  it  projected  from  the  Building.  The  old 
House  of  Beadle's  taken  down  in  Turner's  Street.  Both  these  first 
injured  by  the  wind. 

April.  Three  story  house  building  on  north  side  of  Winter 
Street.  A  Shop  on  the  corner  of  Winter  Street,  joining  on  Bridge 
Street.  An  Outhouse  enlarged  &  repaired  by  Capt.  Mosely,  Essex 
S.,  &  painted,  between  Herbert  &  Curtis  Street.  Capt.  Moses  Town- 
send  painting  his  House  in  Derby  Street. 

May.     Meeting  House  repaired  inside  &  painted. 

May  17.  Southwick  raising  a  School  House  on  Symonds'  Land 
near  Common. 

June.  Shoemaker's  Shop  upon  Dodge's  Land,  Derby  Street 
below  Turner's  Street.  Mosely  repairing  his  House  in  Essex  Street 
below  Herbert  Street.  Silsbee  has  bought  Stone's  Lot  west  of  the 
Meeting  House  &  raised  a  barn  upon  it,  22  June. 

July.  A  Blacksmith's  Shop  between  Dodge's  &  Collins',  on  the 
Harbour,  below  Turner's  Street.  Another  Building  upon  Hooper's 
Lot  upon  Bridge  Street.  Perkins  has  removed  one  of  the  Butcher's 
Shops  from  Front  Street,  upon  Derby's  Lot  in  Derby  Street.  Per- 
kins raising  a  Barn  upon  Derby's  Lot  in  Derby  Street  &  the  road 
inflected  from  a  right  line  through  the  lot  so  as  to  run  parallel 
to  the  Shore.  S.  Derby  has  opened  before  his  House  in  Derby 
Street,  near  Union  Street,  a  Cooper's  Shop,  on  the  Shore  bet. 
Hardy's  &  Daniel's  Street.  The  old  end  of  Dean's  House  near  the 
M.  House,  Hardy  street,  taken  down.  A  new  part  to  Millet's,  the 
next  House  in  Hardy  street.  The  Barn  moved  back  of  Millet's 
House  lately. 

Aug.  Derby  has  fenced  his  Land  nearly  [to]  the  wharf  &  Leased 
a  part  of  it  for  a  Boatbuilder's  yard.  First  time.  Lambert's  Land 
in  Cromwell's  Street,  has  been  fenced  in  Lots  by  the  Heirs.  Pal- 
frey Building  upon  his  Store  westward  on  Long  Wharf.  Stone 
finishing  a  Brewery  on  the  corner  of  his  Land  in  Neptime  Street. 
Archer  has  raised  a  Barn  in  Walnut  Street.  Crowninshield  fencing 
his  Land  in  Cromwell  Street.  Chever  straitening  the  Road  on  the 
left  entering  Winter  Street,  by  removing  the  bank  wall. 

Oct.  Another  House  raised  in  Winter  Street  on  the  right  hand 
bet.  Gard.  &  King's.  Williams  has  open  a  new  Street  from  the 
Tommon  thi'ough  his  lot  to  the  River.  Adams  has  carried  Wil- 
liams' Store  down  said  street.  Barnes  is  building  in  Elm  street 
upon  Lot  through  Archer's.     Crowninshield  building  on  his  Wharf 


466  DIARY  OP  [1797 

&  attempted  a  Well.  Archer  building  a  Currier's  Shop  in  Turner's 
Street  below  Derby  Street.  Williams,  an  outhouse  back  of  her 
House  bet.  Union  &  Herbert  Street.  Richardson  building  a  single 
House  at  the  end  of  Hills'  old  House,  Curtis  Street. 

Nov.  Archer's  Barn  moved  upon  the  Lot  east  of  Locust  Street. 
Derby  Street  widened  opposite  to  Nutting's,  below  Cromwell  Street. 

1797.  Derby  Street  opened  below  Whitford's  crossing  to  the  op- 
posite Cove.  Cellar  digging  in  Turner's  Street,  below  Derby  Street, 
&  House  raised.  Foundation  in  Derby  street  for  a  Bake  H.  on 
Palfrey's  L.  bet.  Hardy  &  Daniels  S.  Frame  raised  for  Store  on 
Derby's  part  of  Long  Wharf. 

April.  Palfrey  adding  a  building  to  his  Hatter's  Shop  in  Derby 
St.  bet.  Daniels  &  Hardy  S.  on  Palfrey's  Lot.  House  &  Cellar 
eastward  of  said  Building  on  same  Lot.  Turner's  Street  widening 
bet.  Essex  &  Derby  Street.  Pleasant  Street  fenced  on  W.  side  from 
Common  to  Bridge  Street.  Dodge  has  repaired  his  Bark  house  be- 
low Derby  Street  &  Turner  S.  A  shop  moved  into  Winter  street  on 
the  east  side.     Pleasent  street  opened. 

May.  A  building  carried  by  Gardner  down  Williams'  new 
Street.  A  building  opened  in  Cromwell  street,  on  the  west  side.  A 
new  small  house  in  Winter  Street.  Mason  enlarging  his  Shop  into 
a  Dwelling  House  on  the  Common.  Briggs'  new  building  on  the 
Common.  Silsbee  has  repaired  the  front  of  Welcome's  House,  Dan- 
iel's Street.  Hill's  old  house  taken  down  &  a  new  end  put  by  Rich- 
ardson in  Curtis  Street.  White's  old  store  &  Barn  removed  from 
Curtis  Street  into  Williams  S.  Moriarty's  addition  in  Union 
Street,  of  two  Stories.  Southwick's  new  Building  &  Cellar  on  Es- 
sex Street,  near  his  School  House. 

June.     Palfrey's  New  Barn  on  Blaney's  Street. 

July.  Gibaut  repairing  his  House,  &c.  &  painting  in  Essex  S. 
corner  of  Walnut  S.  A  building.  Dwelling  House,  raised  in  Walnut 
Street.  A  Bath  House  erected  near  the  Common  on  Crowninshield's 
Lot. 

Nov.  The  Street  opened  leading  below  English  Street  from 
Derby  to  Essex  Street.  Masury  digging  a  Cellar  &  making  a  pan- 
try to  House  in  English  Street.  Murphy  digging  a  Cellar  on  Lam- 
bert's Lot,  Essex  S.  opp.  English  Street,  &  has  carried  his  posts  for 
fence  down  to  the  run  of  water.  Brown  digging  cellar,  &c.  in  the 
new  part  of  Pleasent  Street.  Pleasent  Street  laid  out  &  repaired 
as  far  as  Bridge  Street.  New  House  built  on  N.  E.  side  of  Winter 
Street.  New  Houses  in  Williams'  new  Street  from  Brown  S.  to  the 
Shore  N.  W.  New  Public  Well  in  Derby  St.,  bottom  of  Orange 
Street.  New  Engine  House  in  Derby  St.,  N.  E.  corner  of  Union 
Wharf. 

Jan.  1798.  Murphy  raised  his  House  in  Essex  S.  opp.  English 
Street.  Palfrey  repairing  out  House  front  of  Mansion  H.,  Derby 
Street.     Building  from  Derby's  Lot,  East  street,  carried  to  Williams 


1798]  WILLIAM   BENTLEY,   D.   D.  467 

Street,     Building  raised  upon  Browne's  land,  in  Pickman's  Street. 

Feb.  Building  raised  upon  the  west  side  of  Cromwell  Street, 
Becket's  S. 

Mar.  A.  Shop  carried  upon  the  East  Side  of  Cromwell  Street. 
Forrester  enlarging  Barn  on  Derby  S.  bet.  Orange  and  Curtis  Street. 
Building  on  East  Side  of  Williams  Street.  Shop  by  Very,  front 
of  Lambert's  House,  Brown  S.  on  the  Common. 

April.  New  Engine  House  on  Gardner's  Land.  Old  Store  on 
English's  Lane,  N.  side,  near  the  water,  taken  down.  A  Shop  into 
Cromwell,  altered  to  Becket  Street  this  month.  A  New  Shop  of  two 
Stories  on  Derby  Street,  W.  side  of  Orange  Street.  *;J^A  Building  re- 
moved from  Palfrey's  Lot,  Derby  Street,  near  Daniels^S.  A  New 
Shop  &  Store,  E.  side  of  Union  Wharf,  on  Derby's  Lot. 

May.  Widening  English  Street  on  E.  side  upon  Harthorne's 
Lot.  The  Tavern  House,  Young's,  now  W.  of  Ropes,  Essex  S. 
front  of  Orange  S.,  W.  part  taken  away,  rest  repaired.  A  Building 
moved  upon  Pickman's  Lot,  E.  Side  of  Bridge  Street. 

May  17.  Brown's  House  raised  in  Pickman  Street.  Dunnel's 
house  raised  in  Bridge  Street,  upon  Pickman's  Lot,  Webb's  House 
in  English  Street,  covered  anew.  Gile's  House  in  Daniels  Street, 
covered  for  first  time. 

June.     La  Fevre.    Cellar  in  Hardy  S.  below  Derby  S. 

July.  Collins'  old  House  in  Hardy  S.  taken  down  &  Frame  of 
New  House  raised.  Chever's  new  end  &  Barn  in  Bridge  street. 
LeFerre's  House  raised  in  Hardy  Street. 

Aug.  Another  story  to  House  opp.  Hovey,  Winter  S.  Masury's 
old  House,  East  St.,  taken  down. 

Sept.  Carlton  building  upon  Peele's  Shop,  Essex  S,,  Common 
Lot.  Gardner  enlarging  House  in  Winter  Street.  Richardson  re- 
moving Currier's  Shop,  East  S,  Posts  &  Plank  walk  in  Elm  Street. 
Cistern,  Turner  &  Derby's  Street.  Cistern,  Daniels  &  Essex  Street. 
Cistern,  Neptune  &  Walnut  Street.  (Derby  &  Curtis  S.  in  the 
Spring.)     (On  the  Common,  Newbury  S.,  last  year.) 

Oct.  A  rope  walk,  small,  in  Williams  Street,  Gun  House  on  the 
Common.  New  House  in  Williams  Street,  Carlton's  New  House 
&  store  in  Essex  Street,  near  Common,  2d  lot  from  Newbury  street. 
Crowninshield,  G.,  another  roof  to  his  House  &  Cupola,  &c.,  in 
Derby  street.  Palfrey  enlarging  his  house  on  the  Back,  Derby  S. 
bet,  Daniels  &  Orange  S. 

Nov.  BroAvn's  Shop,  head  of  Forrester's  Wharf,  removed.  New 
road  &  repairs  on  Fort  at  Winter  Island.  Silsbee's  House,  Essex 
Street,  near  Pleasant  St.,  repaired  by  S.  Townsend.  Silver's  House 
repaired  on  Archer's  land,  by  Wid,  Norman.  Silver's  new  small 
House  on  Palfrey's  land,  Derby  street. 

Dec,   New  Small  House  on  Dodge's  Lot,  Derby  S.,  below  Turner  St. 

1799.  Jan.  New  Sm.  House  on  Becket's,  Palfrey's  Land,  Der- 
by S.  bet.  Hardy  &  Dan.  S. 


468  DIARY  OP  [1799 

Feb.  R.  Becket  purchased  English's  Lot  for  Ship  Yard.  New 
Sm.  House  on  BurrilPs  Lot  bet.  Essex  &  Common. 

Mar.  Small  Head  House  for  spinning,  Dodge's  L.,  Derby  street. 
Small  House  rem.  from  Essex,  near  East  S.  to  IngersoU's  L,  Small 
House  off  Lynde's  Lot  facing  Common,  Browne.  Small  Hoase  ou 
Hitchin's  Lot  in  Becket  Street.  Small  House  joined  to  Silver's 
late  House  in  Essex  Street.  A  Shop  built  on  Manning's  Lot  bet. 
Essex  S.  &  the  Common. 

May.     House,  E.  side  of  Becket  street,  by  Ward  &  Babbidge. 

June.  Work  Shop,  Becket's  on  English's  Lot,  new  Ship  Yard. 
House  in  Bridge  street,  by  Barras.  Small  House  built  by  Becket, 
Palfrey's  lot,  Derby  street.  Small  building,  s.  of  Derby  street,  E. 
of  Daniels  Street. 

In  the  Fall.  Several  new  Houses  in  Williams  Street,  &  owners 
unknown,  in  Bridge  street.  New  House  in  Becket  street,  Ward  & 
Babbidge.  New  Store  in  Derby  street,  bet.  Becket  &  Turner's  S. 
New  Store  in  Derby  street  on  Palfrey's  Lot,  bet.  Hardy  &  Daniels 
street.  New  Buildings  on  Palfrey's  Lot,  Derby  street.  New  Store 
on  Crowninshield's  Wharf,  Union  Wharf.  New  Shops  in  Union 
Street.  Building  on  Burrill's  Lot,  s.  side  of  the  Common.  New 
Store  on  Ives's  Lane,  by  C.  Crowninshield.  The  mansion  house 
taken  down  Nov.  7.  New  Store  on  Chever's  Lot,  Essex  street,  bet. 
Hardy  S.  &  Turner's  Street.  Shop  on  Lynde's  Lot,  N.  of  Common. 
Shop  on  Cheever's  Lot,  N.  of  Common.  Street  paved  from  Elm 
street  through  Neptune  Street,  to  Union  Wharf. 

1800.  Lane's  House  raised.  Turner  &  Derby  St.  Crowninshield's 
H.  repaired,  Essex  St.  House  raised  in  Curtis  St.  Buildings  on 
Palfrey's  Land,  Derby  St.  Three  houses  in  Williams  Street.  Oliver 
has  opened  a  Street  from  the  Common  to  Needham's  Lane  &  to 
North  River.  Wright  has  finished  a  house  in  this  street.  Two 
houses  finished  in  Winter  Street.  Two  small  buildings  moved  into 
the  new  part  of  Pleasant  street.  Richardson  &  Osgood  have  finished 
Barns  on  Bridge  Street.  Chever's  New  House  has  been  finished  in 
Bridge  Street.  Noyes  has  placed  a  House  in  Bridge  Street,  &  a 
Hemp  House  working  abroad  toward  North  River,  on  Pickman's 
Lot.  J.  Gardner  has  removed  part  of  a  Barn  belonging  formerly 
to  D.  Woodbridge,  on  the  lot  he  purchased  from  the  heirs,  towards 
Horton's  Point.  Oliver  has  fitted  a  house  &  out  buildings  upon 
Ingersoll  Street.  Two  houses  by  Perkins  &  Son  in  Law  have  been 
erected  on  Lot  in  Derby  Street  between  English  &  Ingersoll  Street. 
A  new  House  by  Gatchel  on  E.  Corner  of  English  Street,  facing 
Derby  Street. 

Crowninshield  has  sunk  3  piers  for  a  wharf,  from  the  old  rope 
walk  into  South  river,  opp.  English  Street,  &  has  removed  some  of 
the  old  Buildings.  A  new  House  in  Turner  St.  below  Derby  St.  A 
new  House  in  Hardy  S.  below  Derby  St.  A  new  Store  on  Welman's 
Land  in  Daniel's  St.  below  Derby  Street.     A  new  Store  near  Fogg's 


1800]  WILLIAM    BENTLEY,    D.    D.  469 

Wharf  iu  Daniel's  St.  below  Derby  Street.  Several  new  Buildings 
on  Palfrey's  Land  below  Derby  street  &  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Street.  Moveable.  A  new  small  building  in  Daniels  Street.  Der- 
by's Wharf  repaired,  faced  with  stone  on  western  side,  &  two  new 
Stores  &  old  Store  repaired.  Great  improvement  upon  Union 
Wharf  &  a  large  new  store  finished  by  Hodges  &  Nichols.  Houses 
removed  into  Becket  street.  New  House  of  Bullock  in  Hardy 
Street  bet.  Essex  &  Derby  Street.  Two  elegant  houses  in  Orange 
Street.     A  House  in  Espex  Street  opposite  English  Street. 

Proposed  three  new  streets.  One  running  from  Becket  street 
along  Shore,  crossing  Blaney,  Turner,  &  Daniel's  street,  below  Der- 
by street.  Another  from  Derby  S.  to  Essex,  bet.  Becket  St.  & 
Turner  St.  Another  from  Fogg's  Wharf,  between  Hardy  St.  & 
Daniels  Street,  into  Derby  Street,  between  Welman  &  Palfrey. 

Property  disposed  of  in  the  Eastern  part  of  the  Town.  'The  Es- 
tate of  Richard  Derby,  Esqr.,  Mansion  House,  wharf,  &  Lots,  to 
family  of  Crowninshield.  Part  of  the  Estate  of  E.  H.  Derby,  con- 
sisting of  an  unfinished  House,  &  Lots,  to  Crowninshield  &  others. 
Estate  of  Dudley  Woodbridge,  deceased.  Mansion  House,  wharf. 
Buildings,  &  several  lots  of  Land  in  Bridge  street.  Estate  of  J. 
Orne,  ropewalk  &  privileges,  to  Crowninshield.  Estate  of  Jon* 
Mason,  House  &  Lots  on  the  Common,  to  Fairfield.  A  number  of 
House  Lots  sold  in  the  Town  at  this  part  of  the  Town.  Phelp's 
Lot  for  Blacksmith  Shop  on  corner  of  Union  Street,  for  Store. 
Cellars  preparing  to  continue  the  building  of  Houses,  &c. 


INDEX 


Abbot.    Abbott,    .    297,    391. 

449. 
Brig.  Qen.,  65,  66. 
Gen.,    34,   78,   88,   97,    117,    161, 
182,    210,    217,   358,    359,    394. 
Maj.   Gen.,   239,    286,   332,    333. 
Rev..   373,   436. 
Jeremiah,  394. 
Samuel,  16. 

Aborn,  ,  182. 

Academies,  231. 

Academy  at  Charlestown.  N.  H.. 

53. 
Accidental  death,  419. 
Accidents,  9,  59,  82,  101,  103,  111, 
161,    171,    174,    175,    234,    257, 
269,    273,    278,    310.    324,    333, 
349,  358,  373,  381,  428. 
Acton    (Mass.),    148. 

Adams, ,  86,  88.  148.  176,  200, 

263.    283,    319,    323,    324,    343, 
344,    421,    433,    451,    457,    459, 
465. 
Gov.,    224. 
Pres.,    233,   286,    287,    301,   337, 

355. 
Hannah.    154,   324. 
Capt.  John,    122. 
John   Quincy,   456. 
Mary,   122. 
Nath..  231.  232. 
Rev.   Phineas,   404. 
Samuel,    101. 
Thomas,    120. 

Adet,  ,  205,  207. 

Advertisements,    269. 
Africa,    439. 

Aged  persons,  169,   172,  204,  221, 
302,  360,  458. 

Aiken,  .  372. 

Albree,  John,  400. 

Alden,  ,  301,  390. 

Timothy,    269,    319. 
Alexander.  Caleb,  318. 

Lydia,    81. 
Algerian  slaverj',   84,   126. 


Algerians,    105. 

Algerine   prisoners,  79. 

Algiers,    262. 

Ali,  Ibrahim  Adam  Ben,  269. 

Alister,  ,   129,   133. 

Allen, .  23,  36.  71.   174,   190, 

225,    279,    291,   310,   318,   333, 
434,    452,    464. 

Captain.  59,  141,  159,  164,  173, 
182,  239,  257,  296,  316,  443, 
446. 

Capt.  E.,  323,  440. 

Capt.  E.,  jr.,  279,  446. 

Edvs^ard,   14,  257,  265,  355,  364. 

Capt.  Edward,   35,  36,   274. 

Capt.  Edward,  jr.,  170. 

John,    270. 

Jordan  Lockhart,  257. 

Margaret,   63.  274. 

Nancy,  141. 

Sarah,   274. 

Allen  W.,  388. 
Allen,  see  also  Allyne. 
Allister,    200. 
Allyne,    Elizabeth,    287. 
Allyne,  see  also  Allen. 
Almanacs,  333. 

Abstracts    from,    412. 

Alvord,  ,  55,  56. 

America    (ship),   453,   455. 
Ames,    ,    348. 

Fisher,  49,  256,  330. 
Amesbury    (Mass.),   337,   407. 
Amherst,   N.   H.,   232. 
Amusements,    92,    317,    344,    397, 

405,    409. 
Anabaptists,   419. 
Andover  (Mass.),  16,  17,  19,  137, 
177,  336,  414,  422. 

Andrew,  Andrews,  ,  90,   165. 

195,   281,   364,   365,   395,   451, 
465. 

Capt.,   91,   93. 

Rev.,   113. 

Asa.  354.  355. 

Wid.   Eliz.,   453,   454. 


(471) 


472 


INDEX 


Andrew,  John,  386. 
Mary,   163,  250,  382. 
Nath.,   454. 

Angier,  ,  242. 

Ann,    Cape,    7,    8,   305-309. 
Annisquam,   303. 

Appleton,  ,  95,  249,  395. 

Rev.,    240. 
Anna,  141. 
John,  240,  412. 
William,  141. 
Apprentices,  34. 

Apthorp,    Apthorpe,    ,    417, 

434,  436. 
Aqueduct,   47,   57,   206,   212,    218, 
222,  236,  280,  349. 

Archer,   ,   21,    183,   229,   235, 

264,   293,   339,   355,   372,   463, 
465-467. 
Capt.,    86. 

Abagail,  128,  185,  277. 
Benja.,   20,    190,   316,   343,   396, 

458. 
Bethia,  264. 
Betty,  290. 
Edw.,  193. 
Edward,  356. 
Elizabeth,    229,    235,    250,    263, 

264,  302,  398. 
Capt.  G.,   297,   370. 
George,   14. 
Hannah,   136,  275. 
James,   80,    101,    185,   219,   235, 
236,   250,   264,   283,   335,   376, 
453,   458. 
John,  185. 
Capt.  Jno.,  203. 

Jonathan,    23,     185,    223,    235, 
263,    264,    277,    292-294,    339, 
343,   363,   436. 
Jonathan,  2d,  266. 
Jonathan,  3d,   191. 
Judith,  13,  103,  346,  366. 
Mary,  293. 

Mehitable    (Kimball),   293. 
Nathaniel,    264,    407. 
S.,   161,  246. 
Samuel,  29,  168,  239,  300,  358, 

446. 
William,  116. 
Architecture,  Meeting-house,   17, 
46,    147,    150,    231,    254,    387, 
388,   390,   391,   395. 
Arlingfton    (Mass.),   147. 

Armes,  ,  56. 

Armstrong,  ,  371. 

Arnold,  ,   23. 

John,  23, 


Artillery,  309. 

Ashby,  Ashbey,  ,  29,  43,  85, 

405,    407,    463. 

Capt.,   78,  79. 

Thomas,  407. 
Ashby    (Mass.),  42. 
Aspinwall,  Dr.,  241. 
Atheism,  145. 

Atherton,  ,  233. 

Atwell,   ,    20. 

Josiah  R.,  420,  446. 

Josiah  Rhodes,  365. 

Atwood,    ,    195. 

Aubree,  John,   81. 
Augustus,  Isaac    (negro),  96. 

Titus    (negro),  31. 
Austin,  ,  13,  71,  372. 

Ruth,   284. 
Averill,  Isaac,  350. 

Avery,  ,  71. 

Ayres,  ,  419. 

Babbidge,  ,   159,  453,  468. 

Christopher,  182. 

James,  182. 

John,  453. 

Lydia,   182,   339,  343. 

Martha,  16,   164,  323,  339,  343, 
461. 

Ruth,    184,    364. 

Susannah,    203,    240,    323,    339, 
343. 

Bache,  ,  283. 

Backus,   ,    144,    251. 

Bacon,  ,  33. 

Baker,   ,   38,   303. 

Baker's    Island,     180,     185,    230, 

252,  271,  282,  347. 
Balch,  Father,  338, 

Baldwin,   ,    42,   50,   260,   270, 

273,  315,  379,  427. 

Rev.,  425,  432. 

Loammi,  429. 

Thomas,  415. 

Ball,  ,   277. 

Ballard,  ,  375.  425. 

Balloon,  168. 

Bamfield,  ,  320. 

Bancroft,   ,    12,    30,    59,    222, 

259,  374. 

Rev.,  272. 

Rev.,  Aaron,  70,  71. 

Elizabeth,  362. 

George,    70. 

Thomas,  362. 
Bangs, ,  59,  71,  225,  272. 

E.,    225. 
Banks,  ,  119, 


INDEX 


473 


Banks.  4. 

Baptism,  260. 

Baptists.  9,  267,  356,  409.  426. 

Barasse.   Peter,  95. 

Barasse,  sec  also  Barras. 

Barbers.  304,  380,  381. 

Bark  mill,   236. 

Barker, ,  60,  79,  327,  376,  439, 

440,  455. 

John.    285,    288,    309,    310,    314. 
Barnard.  .  266.  382. 

Dr.,    176,    219,    269,    312,    333, 

•     353,    371,    397. 

John,  341. 
Barnard,   see  also   Bernard. 
Barnes,  ,  133,  231,  465. 

Capt.,    170. 

John,   154. 
Barr,  ,  108,  109. 

James,    108. 

Priscilla    (Symonds),    108, 

Barras,  ,   468, 

Barras,  see  also  Barasse. 
Barren,  ,  28. 

Joseph.  264. 

Barrett,   .   208. 

Barter.  James,  352. 

Bartlett.  Bartlet,  ,  113,  135. 

Cornelius,   146. 

Elizabeth,    202,    213,    275,    288, 
315,  362. 

Robert,  212,  213,  275,  396. 

Walter,  412. 
Barton.  ,  19,  207,  443. 

Sarah,  253. 
Bass.  Bp.,  318,  334,  336,  337,  364, 
365,   373,   388,   896,   400,   433, 
456. 

Dr..  10,  12,  27,  156,  186. 

Edward,  224. 
Bass,  211. 

Basset,  ,  33. 

Bateman, ,  376. 

Mary,  203. 

Michael,    376. 
Bates,  ,  64. 

Benjamin,  101. 

Capt.  Benjamin,  187. 

Mary,    136. 

Wid.   Mary,    101,    172. 

Mary    (Dolbeare),  187. 
Bath  house,  228. 


Batten,     Baton, 
406. 
Abagail.  406. 
Elizabeth,   406. 
Hannah,  406. 
John,   405,   406. 


Batton,     Capt., 


Batten,  Capt.  John,  405,  406. 

Margaret,  406. 

Mary,    278,    376,    406. 

Wid.    Mary,  407. 

Susanna,    406. 

William,    406. 

Batter,  ,  334. 

Bayard,   ,    456. 

Beach,  Capt.,  8. 

Clementina,  308. 
Beadle,   ,    79,    206,    414,    465, 

Jonathan,  206. 

S.,  464. 

Beals,  ,  458. 

Beans,   222. 

Beattie,  Andrew,  367. 

Beauford,  ,  28. 

Beaver,  262. 

Becket,  ,  34,  85,  89,  109,  135, 

146,  156,  175,  187,  204,  289, 
291,  315,  324,  348,  350,  370, 
402,  408,  411,  414,  440,  463, 
467,    468. 

Capt.,   124,   328, 

Betsey,   328. 

Hannah,   114,   446. 

James.    408,    464. 

Capt.  James,  182. 

John,  285,  377,  440,  453. 

Capt.   John,   20,    114,    146,   249, 
439. 

John,  sen..  114. 

Margaret,  114,  447. 

Mary,    101,    136,   163,    187,   290, 
408. 

R.,    352,    440,    468. 

Retire,  296,  297,  302,  345,  408. 

Susannah,  136,  155,  261. 

William.   114,   166,  446. 

Beckey,  Becky,  ,  304,  437. 

Beckford,  .  137,  249. 

Ebenezer,  247. 

Jonathan,  355. 

Sarah,   172, 
Bedne,  Robert,  433. 
Beer,   45. 
Belknap,  Belnap,  ,  51,  407. 

Dr.,  22,  176,  185,  209,  211,  255, 
264.  391. 

Rev.  Jeremy,  22. 

Bell,  ,   49. 

Bell  at  North  church,  183. 
Bellegarde,  Gen.,  86. 
Bellisarious    (ship),  277,  444. 
Bells,  16,  363,  369,  374,  876,  377, 

388,  426. 
Belstead,  William,  362. 
Bentley,  ,  219,  246,  296,  427. 


474 


INDEX 


Bentley,  Alice,  119. 
Benjamin,  119. 
Caleb,   119,   120. 
Dorothy,   119. 
Elizabeth,   120,   121. 
Elizabeth  Paine,  122. 
Harriet,   121. 
James,  118. 
Jasper,  203,  204,  205,  219,  220, 

316,  325,  327,  404,  405. 
John,  119-122,  204. 
Joshua,    118,    120,    121. 
Mary,  119-121. 
Mary  Ann,  122. 
Mary  Paine,  120,  121. 
Nathaniel,  119. 
Rebecca,  122. 
Eichard,    120. 
Samuel,    120,    122,   282. 
Susanna,  119,  120,  122. 
T.  Jefferson,  121. 
Thomas,  118-121. 
Tobias,  121. 
W.  Madison,  121. 
William,  120,  121. 
Rev.    William,    169,    413,    416, 
424. 

Ancestry  of,  118. 

Book  purchaser,  258,  272. 

Delivers     Masonic     address, 
209,   210,   212. 

Elected    member    of     Mass. 
Historical  Society,  176. 

Encounter  w^ith  militia  offi- 
cers,  182. 

Eulogy  on  Washington,  325. 

Interpreter,   257. 

Journey  to  Amherst,  N.  H., 
230. 

Journey  to  Dartmouth  Com- 
mencement,   39-61. 

Journey    to    Greenland,    N. 
H.,  387. 

Journey  to  Harvard,  Mass., 
146. 

Masonic  writings,   262. 

Newspaper      writings,      112, 
123,   126,  290,  421. 

Oration  on  Washington,  4,5. 

Pays  brother's  debts,  271. 

Poems,  216. 

Preaches    artillery    sermon, 
187. 

Study  of  French,  22. 

Supper  at  Webb's,  207. 

Surveys  Salem  bounds,  102. 

Unpleasant   call,    125. 


Bentley    family   genealogy.    118. 

Bernard,   ,   27,    75,    100,    105, 

338. 

Dr.,  129,  130,  175,  183,  193,  220, 
326,   331,   358,   362,   363,   384. 

Gov.,  425. 

Rev.,  104,  230,  416,  424. 

John,  340,  341. 

Thomas,  30,   126,  332. 
Bernardston    (Mass.),   55. 
Bernard,   see  also  Barnard. 
Berry,  Capt.,  160. 

John,  205,  396. 

Abigail,  14,  225. 

Mary,  201,  250,  343,  435. 

Bervidck,  ,  38. 

Bethune,  ,  243. 

Beverly    (Mass.),   2,   6,   113,   141, 
157,    158,   174,   198,    199,   201, 
213,    218,    230,   237,   267,    269, 
279,    321,   346,   353,   367,    422, 
429,  430,  436,  438. 
Beverly  manufactory,  159,  236. 
Bibles,"  276. 
Bickford,  John,   14, 

Bigelow,    Biglow,    ,    46,    249. 

251,  293,  294,  299,  459. 

W.,  264. 

William,  237. 
Billerica     (Mass.),    39,    40,    139, 

230,  231,  243. 
Billiards,  21,  78. 
Billings,  ,  246,  371,  378. 

William,  350. 
Birksted,  Dr.,   444. 
Birksted,  see  also  Burchstead. 
Bishop,  Joseph,   154. 
Bison,    156,   247. 
Black,  ,  308,  309. 

William,  357. 

Blackburn,      Blackburne,      , 

157,  458. 

Henry,   165,   166,   170,   183. 

Blair, ,  418. 

Blake,  ,  372. 

Blanchard,  ,  168,  355. 

Col.,  143. 

Blaney, ,  69,  73,  100,  225,  381, 

428,    466,    469. 

Joseph,  333,  414. 
Blasting,  245. 
Blind  persons,  290. 

Bliss, ,  147. 

Blodget,  ,  215. 

Blowers,  Rev.,  431. 

Blue   Anchor    (tavern),    23,    296. 

Blunt,  Blount,  ,  320,  370. 


INDEX 


475 


Blythe,  Elizabeth,  121. 

Bosrdman,  ,  16,  19,  139,  203, 

464. 

Capt.,   378. 

Madam,  19. 

Wid.,  14. 

B.,  12. 

F.,  14. 

Capt.   F.,   286. 

Wid.  Mary,   287. 

Bockman,  ,   336. 

Boden, ,  91. 

Bodily,   Boddily,   ,    163,   214, 

334,   335,  337,  396,   460. 

Kev.,  363,  365,  452. 

Rev.  John,  456. 

Bodwell,  ,  179. 

Boise,  ,  103. 

Bollan,  ,  41. 

Bomare,  ,  130. 

Bond,  ,  292. 

Bonne-Maison,  ,  4,  22. 

Book  auction,  432. 

Boot,  ,  226. 

Boreman,  T.  W.,  279. 

Borland,  ,  138. 

Boston  (Mass.),  3,  27,  99,  126, 
127,  224,  237,  238,  242,  243, 
256,  261,  270,  278,  329,  374, 
403,  404,  417,  418,  425,  426, 
432,  441. 

Bott,  ,  157. 

Bourdeau,  Rev.,  449. 
Bours,  Rev.  Peter,  340. 

Bovt^ditch,  ,  79,  103,  114,  194, 

234,   240,    249,    250,    286,    287, 
299,  385. 

Wid.,  116. 

Elizabeth,  286. 

Habaccuc,    94,    170,    277,    278. 
326. 

J.,  245. 

Joseph,  335,  380. 

Mary,  20,  116. 

N.,  370,  408. 

Nathaniel,  277,  286,  326. 

T.,  313. 

William,  224,  326. 
Bowdoin,  ,  4. 

Gov.,  334,  343. 
Bowen,   185,  251. 

Nathaniel,  456. 

Rev.  Penuel,  456. 
Bowen's  museum,  261,  330. 
BovFers,  James,  420,  433. 
Bowling,    Tom.,    265. 
Bovrnd,  Rev.,  425. 
Bowyer,   William,    198,    451. 


Boxford    (Mass.),    87,    183,    229, 

343,   394. 
Boyce,  see  Boise. 
Boyd,  ,  389,  390,  442. 

William,  294,  346,  442. 
Boylston,   Benjamin,   217. 
Bradbury,  Judge,  354. 

Bradford,    ,    129,    156,    372, 

386. 

Col.,    131,   432. 

Rev.,   18,   242. 

Ebenezer,   360. 

Col.  S.,  299. 
Bradford   (Mass.),  19. 

Bradish,    ,    197,    399. 

Bradstreet, ,  223. 

Rev.   S.,  341. 

Simon,    341. 

Brady,  ,  371. 

Brattle,  William,  340. 
Brattleborough    (Vt.),   54. 
Braxton,  George,  373. 
Bray,  ,   295,  348,  362,  377. 

B.,   273. 

Benjamin,   295,   377,   400. 

Breck, ,   363. 

Breed,    ,    73,    187,    225,    292, 

443,    444,    458. 

Breton, ,    140. 

Brewery,   280. 
Brewster,  ,  389. 

Gen..  50. 
Brick  kilns,   438. 
Bricket,    Brig.,    286. 
Bridge,  Gen.,  40,  41,  231. 
Bridges,    11,    113. 

Briggs,   ,    23,    29,    62,    75,    80, 

83,  86,  101,  109,  115,  134, 
163,  183,  187,  201,  227,  230, 
282,  285,  288,  291,  298,  318, 
350,  370,  398,  406,  407,  415, 
440,    463,    466. 

Edward,  274. 

Enos,  31,   265. 

Capt.   J.,   407. 

Jeremiah,    452. 

John,   359. 

Johnson,    14,   274. 

Capt.   Johnson,    82. 

Ruth,  83,  99.  274,  359. 

Bright,  ,  184,  384. 

Brinton,  Dr.,  427. 

Briscoe,  Jenny,  200. 

Britton,  Briton,  ,  135,  412. 

Capt.    Diivid,    414. 

Brockwell,    ,    385. 

Bromfield,  ,   149. 

Col.,   155. 


476 


INDEX 


Brookfield   (Mass.),  58. 

Brookhouse,  ,   141. 

Brooks, ,  148,  158,  159,  302. 

Capt.,  451. 

John,   181. 

Luke,    182,   211,   396. 

Samuel,  14,  182,  211. 

Brown,   ,   32,   37,   62,   79,   97, 

132,  138,  160,  182,  237,  298, 
301,  315,  371,  384,  386,  398, 
431,  445,  463,  466,  467. 

Capt.,   417,   418,   419. 

Col.,   141. 

Abram,    96. 

Ann,  32. 

B.,  315. 

Benjamin,  34,  146,  233,  422. 

Clark,  234. 

Hannah,  339,  442. 

James,  6,  182,  192,  274. 

Jonathan,  431. 

Joseph,  176,  320. 

Mary,  301,  332,  352. 

Nancy,    203,    369. 

Phoebe,  315. 

Sarah,  274. 

W.,  462. 

William,  14. 

Browne,   ,   82,    137,    138,   260, 

282,  302,  327,  365,  451,  463, 
467,  468. 

Capt.,  419,  420. 

Col.,  300. 

Benjamin,  282. 

James,  209,  279,  282,  288,  400. 

John,  436. 

Joseph,  358,  399. 

Sarah,  274,  279. 

W.,  38. 

William,  87,  114,  168,  171,  187, 
209,  274,  282,  288,  399,  425. 
Bruce,  George,  163,  164. 
Brutus  (ship),  417. 
Bryant,   Capt.,   58. 
Buckminster, ,  344,  390. 

Eev.,  392. 
Buffington, ,  78,  358,  447. 

Maj.  Zadock,  312. 

Debby,  312. 

BufEon,  ,  156. 

Bulfinch, ,  441. 

Dr.,  418. 

Charles,  417. 

Thomas,  417. 

Bullard,  ,  43. 

Bullock,  ,  289,  469. 

Capt.,  376. 

Abigail,  289,  296,  302. 


Bullock,  Mary,  346. 

Brunstead,    ,    444. 

Bunting,    ,    124. 

Burbeck,  Col.,  403. 
Burchstead,  Dr.  Henry,  444. 
Burchstead,  see  also  Birksted. 
Burditt,  Capt.,  80. 

Burford,  ,  172. 

Burgoyne,   ,    259. 

Gen.,  213. 

Burleigh,  ,  346,  429. 

Burley,  ,   203. 

Burnham,  ,  113. 

Maj.,  12. 

Biirr,   ,   388. 

Burrill,  Burril, ,  74,  266,  270, 

381,  468. 

Ezra,  188. 

Mansfield,  16,  78,  125,  188,  190, 
359. 

William,  165. 
Burroughs,  ,  83. 

Mary,  83. 

Sarah,  81. 
Butler,  Edmund,  384. 

Sarah,  384. 
Butman,  Buteman,  ,  127. 

Capt.,  293. 

Butt,  ,  139. 

Buxton,  Phebe,  187. 
Byfield   (Mass.),  113,  196,  396. 
Byles,  Mather,  371,  435. 
Byrne,  Burne,  ,  136,  463. 

C,  185. 

Clifford,  14,  173,  316. 

Mehitable,   199,  451. 

C,  Capt.,  294. 
Cabann,  Susannah,  399. 
Cabbage,  123. 
Cabot,  Francis,  414. 

George,  343. 

Joseph,  323. 

W.,  332. 
Caesar  (negro),  290,  312. 
Caldwell,   ,    272. 

Daniel,   349. 

Calef,  ,  128,  213. 

Caley,  Judith,  386. 

Calvin,  ,   229. 

Canada,  234. 
Canals,  138. 
Candlesticks,  151. 
Caner,  Dr.,  427. 

Carder,  ,  91. 

Carkeet,  Benjamin,  436. 

Robert,  436. 

William,  435,  436. 


INDEX 


477 


Carleton,  Carlton,  ,  102,  112, 

123,    184,    213,    245,   328,   332. 
335,  363.  393,   453,   467. 

Samuel,  241,  405,  435,  436. 

Games,   ,    80,    187,   322,    334. 

335,  351. 

Capt.,  124,  162,  321. 

Charles,  162. 

Wid.  Elizabeth,  334,  335. 

John,  111,  218,  454. 

Lydia,  218. 
Carpenter,  Captain,  158. 

Capt.  B.,  208. 
Carr,  Mary,  377. 
Carroll,  Caroll,  ,  237,  272. 

James,  246,  360. 
Carter,  ,    195,   433. 

John,  114. 
Cary,   Carey,    195,  320,   334,   337, 
345,  364,  365,  395,  443,  458. 

Rev.,  113,  320,  387,  395. 

John  F.,  368. 
Cash,  Mary,  440. 
Castle  Hill    (Salem),   290. 
Cat  and  Wheel    (tavern),  24. 
Cat  Island   (West  Indies),  1. 
Catamount,  34. 
Catholic  priest,    182. 

Celebrations,   July   4th,    97,   274, 
276,  377,  438. 

Washington's  birthday,   5,   82, 
173,  214,  296. 
Cemeteries,  366,  371. 
Centenarians,  273. 

Chadwick,  ,  98,  260. 

Chandler,  ,  55,   71. 

Chapman,  ,   203. 

Capt.,  271. 

Rev.  B.,  367. 
Chard,  Martha,  98,  115,  239,  256. 
Charitable  Associations,  408. 
Charity,  73,  81. 
Charles  I.   (Eng.),  82. 
Charlestown,   N.   H.,   48,   53. 
Charter  St.  Burying  Ground,  142. 

Chase,  ,  53. 

Chastity,  2. 

Chauncy,  ,   426. 

Chebacco,  124,  323. 
Checkeley,  John,  340. 
Cheever,  ,  468. 

Benjamin,  310. 

Samuel,    160. 
Chelmsford   (Mass.).  40. 
Chevalier,  Abagail,  339. 

Ed.,    339. 


Chever,   ,   21,   320,   351,   362, 

463,  465,  467,  468. 

Capt.,  417. 

Rev.,  29. 

B.,   462. 

D.,   412. 

E.,  432. 

Ezekiel,  340. 

James,    14,    21,    167,    185,    186, 
206,  228,  381. 

Mary,  206,  209,  295. 

Peter,  137. 

S.,  340,  462. 

Capt.  Samuel,  137. 
Child,  David,  122. 

Mary  Paine,  122. 

Chipman,  ,  96,  158,  159,  363, 

367,    378. 

Elizabeth,  96,  274. 

Henry,  377. 

Mary,   376,   377. 

Mary   (Carr  Nowell),  377. 

Thomas,    274. 

Ward,   274. 
Choate,  Rev.,  230. 
Chubb,  ,  261,  315. 

Mary,  273. 
Christmas  anticks,  78. 
Cisterns,  283. 
Claghorn,  Col.,  224,  243. 
Clams,  312,  328,  353. 
Clamshells,  51. 
Claremont,   N.   H.,   48. 

Clark,    ,    79,    149,    223,    260, 

388. 

Isaac,  289. 

Priscilla,   423. 

Clarke,  ,  2,  22,  95,  112,  201, 

251,  273,  296,  426. 

Capt.,   275,   443. 

Dr.,  193,  222,  255,  259. 

Deborah,  385. 

Elizabeth,  270,  296. 

Francis,   345. 

Capt.  H.,  443. 

Rev.  J..   64. 

Capt.  John,  361,  385. 

Rev.  John,  263,  264,  361. 

Margaret,  291. 
Claude,  Rev.,  449. 
Clayton,   Col.,   118. 
Clearage,  ,  401. 

James,  93,  401. 
Cleaveland.  Dr.,  228.  394. 

G.,  96. 

J.  J.,  96. 

Capt.  W.,  181. 


478 


INDEX 


Clemens,  Capt.,  421. 
Clergy,  407. 

Cleveland,    ,    271,    306,    309, 

323,  386,   432. 

Dr.,  205. 

Rev.,  91,  92,  166. 

George,  31,  32. 

Rev.  John,  301. 
Clocks,  17,  20,  162,  208,  291. 
Cloth,    151. 
Clough,  Gibson,  181,  182,  314. 

Rev.,    98. 
Cloutman,  Wid.,  463. 

Benjamin,    227. 

D.,  2. 

Elizabeth,  227,  310. 

Wid..  Hannah,  285,  369,  377. 

Stephen,    80,    162,   217,    324, 
Coach.   384. 

Coates,   ,    384. 

Cobvpin,  ,  264. 

Cockade,    276. 

Codman,  ,  194. 

Cody,  ,  411. 

Coffin,  ,  308,  443. 

Dr.,    364,    382. 
Coins,   163. 
Cole,  Andrew,  440. 

Lois,   440. 
Coleman,  Dr.,   433. 

Collins,  ,  13,  89,  94,  161,  212, 

237,    267,    292,    300,    346,    400, 
439,  440,  465,  467. 

Capt.,  10,  133,  134,  202,  212, 
239,   275,   462. 

Judge,  441. 

Benajah,  204,  222,  244. 

Caroline,    275. 

Charles,  275,  358. 

Deborah,  244. 

Hannah,  94,  159. 

Mrs.  Hannah    (Porter),  395. 

Henry,  275. 

Hepsibah,    244. 

Capt.  J.,  346. 

James,  89,  92,  93,  100,  161,  237, 
326. 

John,  14,  15,  94,  107,  117,  124, 
205,  227,  237,  245,  248,  252, 
275,  300,  310.  322,  326.  331, 
346,    394,    396,    462. 

John,  sr.,  3,   134. 

Mary,  275,  277,  362,  399. 

R.,   293. 

Richard,    399. 

Robert,   275. 

Ruth,   158,   244. 


Collins,  Sarah,  299,  326. 

Tracey,   453. 

Triphenia,    244. 
Colman,  Dr.,  340,  371. 

Columbus,  ,  1,  2. 

Commerce    (ship),   20,  21. 

Conant,  ,  49. 

Concord    (Mass),   147. 
Condy,  ,  356. 

Rev.,  425. 
Conley,  John,  406. 
Connecticut  river,  47,  57. 
Constitution    (frigate),  224,  237. 
Consumption,  108. 
Conway  (Mass),  56. 
Cooke,  ,  147,  202,  313. 

Betsey,    14. 

Sarah,   407. 

William,  14. 
Cooper, ,   405. 

Dr.,  12,  15,  379,  418. 

Rev.,   417. 

Eunice,   99. 

William,  320. 
Copper,  Tinned,  3. 
Copper  works,  426. 
Cordis,    Esq.,    326. 

Corn6, ,  431,  441,  462,  463. 

Cornish    (N.  H.),  49. 

Cory,  ,  23. 

Costume,  257,  260,  265,  267,  268, 

360,  424. 
Cotton,  wid.   Alice,   409. 
Cotton  factory,  Beverly,  2. 
Couley,   John,   406. 
Coverly,  A.,  298. 
Cox,  ,  282,  410,  411. 

Wid.,   386. 

Elizabeth,  204. 

Mary,   206,   282. 
Coxe,  Tench,  185,  186. 
Coy  pond,   145. 
Cradle,  Ancient,  183. 
Craft,  Maj.,  7. 
Crafts,  ,   87. 

Rev.,   294. 
Crandall, ,  275. 

Mary,    369. 

Nancy,   125,  314. 

Crane,  ,  140. 

Creely,  James,  241. 

Sarah,  276,  376. 
Crime,    15,   36,   59,   110,   112,   157, 
165. 

Crispin,  ,  217. 

Cromwell,    John,    79. 

Oliver,  344. 

Philip,  79,  447. 


INDEX 


479 


Crononschelt,   ,    444. 

Crookshanks,    Joseph,    101. 
Mary,   102,   157,   169. 

Crosby,  ,  47.  395. 

Crouch.    ,    396. 

Crow,  ,   134. 

Crowell,  ,  134. 

Crowninshield,   ,    62,    74,   92. 

93,    205,    277,    298,    300,    301. 
320,    332,    346,    347,    352,    361, 
408,    420,    421,    455,    456,    458, 
459,    465-469. 
Capt.,  32,  298,   322,  350,  382. 
Anstiss    (Williams),   65. 
B.,  381,  462,  463. 
Benjamin.   14,   274. 
C,   463,    468. 

Clifford,  200,  430,  440,  464. 
Edward,    4. 
Elizabeth,  274. 
G.,   109. 

Capt.  G.,  297,   316,  444. 
G.,  jr.,  279. 

Capt.   G.,   jr.,   376,   453. 
George,   14,  356.   438,   453,   455, 

457. 
Capt.  George,  4,  6,  417. 
George,    jr.,    358. 
Hannah,  164,  274,  318. 
Jacob,   112,   321,   375,   376,   438. 

452      455. 
John,'  65,  92,  200,  417,  429. 
Maria,    274. 
Mary,   86,   274. 
Eichard,   200. 
Sarah,  88,  429. 
Crowninshield,  see  also  Cronon- 
schelt,   Kronenscheldt. 
Culbertson,  John,  266. 

Cummings,  ,  144. 

Curtis,   ,    128,    130,    153,   338, 

354. 
Abigail,  354. 
Margaret,  89,  94.  168. 
Curtis'    folly,    130. 

Gurwen,   Curwin.  .   159,   163, 

197,   259,   265,   300,   382,   424, 
445,    447,    448,    453. 
Sheriff,    26. 

George,   95,  259,   260,  340,   453. 
Jonathan,  260. 

Samuel.  95,   159,  260,  360,  367, 
423,    424. 

Cushing,   ,    86,   332,    358. 

Col,,   190. 
Rev.,  44,  281. 

Cutler,  ,  22,  91. 

Dr.,    116,    130,    131,    132,    134, 


Cutler,    Dr.,    209,    286,    339,    354, 
355,  362,  427. 
Rev.,   230. 
Mannassah,    452. 
Cutter,   Dr.,   385. 
Col.   Enos,   273. 

Cutting, ,   148. 

Dabney,  ,   235,  272,  328. 

Daland,   ,   204. 

Daland,    sec   also   Deland. 

Dale,  ,  76,   161,  222. 

John,    160. 
Susannah,  115,  161. 

Dalling, ,  388. 

Dana,    ,    312,    323,    370,    372, 

374,   378,   397. 
Dr.,    386,    397. 

Judge,   165,    166,   204,   232,   241, 

248,    255,    258,    289,    330,    402. 

Rev.,    113,    194,    209,    230.    242. 

363,    365,    369,    387,    460. 
D.,  376. 

S.,    232,    384,    412. 
Sylvester,  375. 
Dancing,    8,    17,    268,    296,    322. 

357,   363,   373,   401. 
Dandelion,    423. 

Dane, ,    112,    165,    224,    226. 

252,  267,  298,  301. 
Nathan,    240. 

Daniels.  ,  86,  310. 

Elizabeth,   279,   297. 
Danvers  (Mass.),  6,  9,  16,  66,  160, 
161,    197,    206,    208,   215,    219, 
221,    238,    244,   399,    441,    442. 
Danvers  river,  193. 
Dark  day,  413. 
Dark   night,   312. 

Darling,  ■ ,   103. 

Dartmouth,  Lord,  50. 
Dartmouth  College.  50,  52. 

Davenport,   ,    195. 

David,  4. 
Davie,  George.  284. 

Davis,    .    243,    256,    322,    348, 

399,  403,  438. 
Rev.,    425. 

Capt.  Amasa,   177,   187. 
Mary,  283. 
Sylvanus,  284. 

Davison,  ,  124. 

Dawes,  ,  146,  149,  153. 

Eliza,  121. 
Emily,   121. 
Harriet,   121. 
Maria,    121. 
Mary,  121. 
Robert,   121. 


480 


INDEX 


Dawes,  Sophia,  121. 
William  Bentley,  121. 

Day,    ,    372. 

Dean,  ,  79,  167,  381,  465. 

Capt.,  262. 
Dr.,    386. 
B.,   440. 

Capt.    B.,    213,    266. 
Benjamin,  94. 
Christiana,   439. 
Lydia,  236,  241. 
Mary,  82,  83,  440. 
Sarah,    376,    439. 
Thomas,  83,  125,  288,  381,  440. 
Capt.  Thomas,   82,   439,   440. 
Death,    333. 
Decatur,  Capt.,  299. 
Deerfield    (Mass.),   55,   56. 

Deise,   ,   23. 

Deland,  Eunice,  377. 

Thorndike,    377. 
Deland,  see  also  Daland. 
Delano,    Sarah,    380. 

Deleway,   ,    171. 

Dennie,  ,  235. 

Derby, ,  33,  36,  62,  73,  79,  80, 

86,  102,  111,  112,  114,  117,  132, 
134,  141.  145,  157,  158,  160, 
162,  163,  177,  183,  205,  210, 
219,  222,  225,  233,  244,  248, 
250,  265,  273,  275,  282,  295, 
298,  301,  302,  333,  341,  353, 
378,  385,  402,  414,  429,  438, 
441,  446,  458,  463-467. 
Capt.,  74,  105,  271,  319. 
Col.,    398,    399,    401,    416,    431, 

451. 
Anne,   92. 

E.  H.,   110,   130,   132,   191,   209, 
265,    289,    300,    310,    350,    353, 
382,    400,    434,    436,    469. 
Capt.  K  H.,  353. 
Col.  E.  H.,  376. 
E.  H.,  jr.,  78,  89,  109,  125,  262. 
Elias  H.,  343,  436. 
Elias  Hasket,  203,  317,  318. 
Elizabeth,  14,  188,  300. 
H.,    106,    376. 
Haskef,  262. 
Hersey,    348. 
J.,    186, 
John,  93,  103,  116,  135,  159,  221, 

253,   350. 
John,   sr.,  446. 
Jonathan,  300,  301. 
Lydia,   218. 
Margaret,   84,   443. 
R.,    436,    440. 


Derby,  Capt.  R.,  95,  296. 

Richard,  110,  203,  253,  295,  300. 
332,    334,    335,    336,    413,    469. 

S.,  88,  214,  221,  318,  434,  465. 

Samuel,    6,    101,   220,   296,   301, 
335,    443. 
Derby   fort,    199. 
Derby  St.  (Salem),  135,  140,  156. 
Devereux,   ,   279. 

Capt.,    342. 
Dexter,  ,  255. 

Timothy,    346,    349,    387,    395, 
435. 

Dicey,  ,  23. 

Dickenson,    ,    55. 

Dickerson, ,  54,  55. 

Dictionary,    340. 

Diman,  ,  79,  131,  168,  368. 

Rev.  James,  205,  413,  414. 

John,   200. 

Thomas,  8,  16,  168. 
Dinsmore,  Silas,  245. 
Diving  bell,  313,  315. 

Dix,    ,    201. 

Dodd,  ,  134. 

Mary,   135. 

Samuel,  81,   116,  123,   126,  128. 

Sarah,   124,   135. 

Dodge,   ,   251,   261,   292,   439, 

440,   465-468. 

Capt.,  12,  81, 

Abagail,   31,   173. 

Asa,   261,   262. 

Caleb,    252. 

Joshua,   251,   276,   462. 

Pickering,   427. 
Dolbeare,  Mary,   187. 
Dole,  Peabody,  313. 
Donaldson,  Elizabeth,  394. 
Dorchester    (Mass.),    243. 

Dorr,   ,   407. 

Dorrell, ,  406. 

Benjamin,   328. 
Douse,  Jo.,  413. 

Dow, ,  328,  346,  363,  366,  367, 

376. 

Rev.,   387. 

Moses,    367. 
Downing,  Emanuel,  373. 

Mary,  447. 

Thomas,    384,    447. 
Dracut  (Mass.),  139. 
Drought,   60.   62. 
Drownings,  36,  77,  101,  170,  180, 
207,    221,    248,    249,   252,    261, 
265,  275,  371,  384,  430,  445. 
Drunkenness,    58. 
Duckingfield,  Thomas,  356. 


INDEX 


481 


Dudleian  lecture,  61. 
Duel.  83. 

Duff, ,  172,  182. 

Du  Filhol,  ,   98. 

Dunimer  Academy,  12,  391. 

Duncan,  ,  257. 

Dunham,    Joseph,    200. 

Dunlap,  ,   133,   144,   157,   159, 

160,  162,  204,  209,  213,  215, 
237,  255,  277,  289,  334,  369, 
426,    463. 

James,  334. 

William,   160. 

Dunn,  ,  336,  337. 

Dunnel,   ,    467. 

Dutch,    ,    51. 

Rev.,    19. 
Dwight.  Col.,  57. 

Dr.,   164,  398,  436. 
Dwire,  ,  86. 

Anna,    86,    155. 
Dyman,  ,   169. 

Eagle  island,  93. 
East  church,  367,  369. 

Meetinghouse,  439,  440. 

Ministers,   206. 

Repairs,  157,  177,  183,  184. 

Sextons,    181. 

Silver,   210.   213,   299,   327,   331, 
364,  375. 

Statistics,    78. 
East  India  Marine   Society,  321, 
322,    361,    362,    382,    408. 

Easties,    Eastie,    ,    171,    290, 

414. 

Eaton,  ,  327,  432. 

Ebeling,   Ebling,   ,   283,    838, 

371. 

Prof.,   194. 

Eborn,   ,   68. 

Eckley,  Dr.,  255. 
Edes,  ,  3,  343. 

Edward,    122. 

Marr  Elizabeth,  122. 
Edey,  ^ ,  273. 

Margaret,   273,  296,   423. 

Wid.   Mary,   352. 
Edwards,    ,    444,    445. 

Captain,    140. 

John,  239,  295,  445. 

Margaret.   206. 
Peter,    419. 

Egout,  ,  2,  4. 

Electioneering,    2,    299,   346,    420, 

421,  423,  429,  455,  458. 
Elections,  13,  86.  92,  176,  456. 
Electricity,   107. 


Elephant,   235. 

Eliot,   ,    2,    15,    70,    126,    140, 

251,    255,    276,    310,    332. 
Dr.,    269,    273,    312,    334,    339, 

362,  382,  392,  427,  449. 
Rev.,   127,   185,   206,   242,   281. 
John,    449. 

Elison,  ,  273,  377. 

Elkins,  Capt.,  84,  223. 
Elizabeth,    29. 
H.,    344. 

Harriet,  273,  313,  399. 
Henry,   339,   410. 
Mary,   66,   301,   318,   410. 
Sarah,  82. 
Elm  trees,  57. 
Elvins,  Dea.,  368, 

Richard,    316. 
Embargo,   85,   87,   92,   93. 

Emerson,   ,   43,   56,   146,    155, 

304,   318,   324,   351,   367,    375, 
441. 
Rev.,   334,  382. 
Jacob,  315. 
W.,  320. 

Emery.  ,  121. 

Emmerton,   Emerton,   John,   434, 
445,  453. 

Emmons,   ,    165,    270. 

Dr.,  317. 

Rev.,    209,    230,    423. 

Endicott,  ,  221,  222,  292,  351, 

352,    442,    451. 
Gov.,    197,    198,    223,    346,    351, 

352,  400,  441,  451,  453. 
John,   351,   352. 
Samuel,  351. 
(Gov.)    portrait,   198. 
English,  ,   23,   131,   182,   296, 

298,  385,    440,    445,   453,    463, 
468. 

Andrew,  325,  441,  452,  453. 

Mary,  23,  25,  28. 

Philip.   22-26,   29,   236,   445    447. 

Susannah,   25,   29. 
Epes,  ,  223,  432. 

Major,   264. 
Episcopal    church,    48,    117,    164, 

224,  373,  380,  385,  418. 
Erskine,    Dr.,    449. 
Essex    (Mass.),   124,   323. 
Essex    (frigate),    282,    286,    298. 

299,  315,  318,  319,  322. 
Essex  bridge,   286. 

Essex  county    (Mass.),  65,   66. 
Essex  Junto,  343. 
Estes,   see   Easties. 
Euler's  Island   (Me.),  125. 


482 


INDEX 


Eulin,  Eulen,  ,  91,  406. 

Eustis,  ,  456. 

Euwer,  ,  10. 

Eveleth,  William,  211. 
Evei'ett,  Everet,  ,  363. 

Oliver,  461. 
Evoy,  Eobert,  325. 

Sarah,    165,    168. 
Executions,  99,  156,  170. 
Exeter    (N.   H.),    390. 

Fage,  ,   160. 

Jean  Baptiste  Marie,  157. 
Failure  in  business,  173. 
Fairfax,  Lord,  385. 

George,    385. 

Thomas,    385. 

William,   385. 
Fairfield,  ,  469. 

Captain,    157. 

Elizabeth,  314,  403,  440. 

John,   169,  314,  348,  460. 

Martha,  377. 

Rebecca,   2,   285,   377. 

Dr.    William,    457. 
Fairlee    (Vt.),   51. 
Farmer,  P.,   119. 

Farrington, ,  10,  15. 

Fasts,   63,   268,   284. 
Faulkner,   ,   281. 

Col.,  148. 

Fay,  Faye,  ,  263,  327. 

Federalists,   236. 

Fellows,  ,  372. 

Felt,  ,   79,  285. 

Capt.,  257. 
Fenelon,  A.  B.,  363. 

Fenno,  ,   283. 

Fernald,  ,  388. 

Samuel,    389. 

Fessenden,  ,  47. 

Fettyplace,  ,   226. 

Fever,  Yellov^r,  194,  278,  281,  283, 

285,    314. 
Field,    Samuel,    412. 
Fire  buckets,  2. 
Fire  club  supper,  207. 
Fire  clubs,  76,  260,  282,  300,  324, 

358,  459. 
Fire  engines,   211,  227,   230,   237, 

258, 
Firearms,  323. 

Fires,  1,  72,  80,  99,  114,  133,  158, 
159,  215,  250,  256,  257.  258, 
263,  268,  273,  319,  322,  339, 
350,  363,  422,  424,  455. 
First  meeting  house  (Salem), 
252,   259. 


Fish   and   fishing,   234,   249,   283, 
302,    304,    314,   315,    328,    335, 
373,  431,  437,  440. 
Fish  market,  203. 

Fisher, ,    122,   253,   331,   373, 

380. 
Eev.,    183,    226,    301,    416,    418, 

424. 
Elias,  368. 
Joel,  437. 
N.,   96. 
Rev.  Nathaniel,  117. 

Fisk,  ,   311. 

Gen.,   239. 
Maj.  Gen.,  66. 
John,  311,  363. 
Rev.    Samuel,    363. 
Sarah,   239. 
William,   311. 

Fiske,  ,  37,  51,  142,  147,  171, 

223,    252,    266,    294,   370,   373, 
432,    462. 
Dr.,  350,  368. 

Gen.,   5,   35,   39,   74,   94,   95,   99, 
101,    104,    106,    110,    112,    123, 
134,    142,    144,    146,    155,    161, 
167,    168,    171,    175,    177,    211, 
240,    284,    294,    372,    378,    409, 
415,  444,  464. 
Madame,  291. 
Rev.,  46. 
John,  14,  20,  124,  191,  238,  279, 

364,  444. 
John,   jr.,    192. 
Lydia,  142. 
Margaret,   142. 
Nancy,  272. 
Rev.  S.,  142,  294,  444. 
Samuel,  294,  295. 
Sarah,   259. 

Fitch, ,  140,  346. 

Flagg,  Flag,  ,  60,  70,  272. 

Josiah,    349. 
Fletcher,  Gov.,  25. 

Flinn,  ,   173. 

Flint,  ,  39,  128,  220,  432,  463. 

Capt.,   115. 
Eunice,  215,  219. 
Flour,   111. 

Fogerty,  ,  31,  245. 

William,   96. 

Fogg,  ,  310,  345,  468,  469. 

Folger,  Capt.,  430,  432. 

Folsom,  ,  205. 

Forbes,   ,    91,    262,    315,    379, 

382,  386,  397. 
Rev.,  8,  197,  222,  325,  353,  362, 
431,  437. 


INDEX 


483 


Forbes,  Rev.  E.  W.,  306. 

Rev.   Eli,    341. 
Ford,  ,   16,  39,  230. 

Captain,   139,  143. 
Foot,  ,  287. 

Anna,  14,  93.  346. 

Deborah,    159. 

Jonathan,  159,  160. 

Mary,  401,  451.  456. 

Forrester,  Forester,  ,  13,  90, 

132,  353,  462-464,  467. 

Capt.,    163,   215. 

Capt.    S.,    371. 

Forsyth,  ,  327. 

Fort   at   Marblehead,    91. 

Fort   at    Salem,    86,    94,   95,    105, 

284. 
Fort  Dummer  ( Bra ttlebo rough), 
55. 

Foster,   ,   102,    103,    126,   212, 

344,  358,  363,  370. 

Col.,  67,  305. 

Dr.,  356. 

David,  274. 

Capt.  Gideon,  136. 

James,   356. 

Joel,   436,   445. 

Mary,  269,  274. 

Molly,  172. 

Moody,  184. 

William,  322,  362,  363. 

Foiisset,  ,  95. 

Fowle,  ,  69,  73,  74,   103,   156, 

281,  287,  403. 

Col.,  434. 

Ann,    121. 

Augusta,   121,   122. 

Betsey,   121. 

Betsey,  2d,  121. 

Caroline,  121. 

Elizabeth,  121. 

George,  121. 

Henry,  121,  122. 

Henry,    2d.    121. 

John  Skillin,  121. 

Joshua  Bentley,  121. 

Rebecca,   122. 

Ruth,  122,  287. 

Sarah,  287. 

Thomas  Patten,121. 

William  Bently,  121. 

Fowler,  ,  261,  310. 

Fowling,  234. 

Fox,  Col.,  187. 

Foxes,  263. 

Foy,  Foye,  William,  95-98,  314. 

Francis,  Col.,  87. 

Franklin,  ,  99. 


Franks,  Hanna,  408. 
Joseph,  31,  442. 

Freeman,  ,  52,  64,   127,   140, 

238,  296,  310,  334,  338,  339, 
359,  379,  433. 
Rev.  James,  70,  71,  187,  201, 
202,  242,  243,  255,  407,  408, 
418. 
Freemasonry,  3,  6-8,  11.  12,  76, 
106,  117,  123,  201,  226,  232, 
246,  251,  262,  279,  281,  289, 
320,  325,  329,  337,  357,  396, 
403,  411. 

French,  ,   144,   185,   405,  415. 

Rev.,  209,  230,  353. 
Jonathan,  403. 
Jonathan,   jr.,   403. 
Joshua,  66,    176,  201,   398,  399, 
407. 
French  politics,   266. 

Refugees,  95,   128,  263,  271. 
Revolution.  13,  162. 
Friend.  Tatty,  314. 
Friends,     Society    of,     101,     111, 
318,  435. 

Frisbie,     Frisbee,     Frisby,     , 

323,  386,  397. 
Frogs,    95. 
Fruit,  401. 

Frye,  ,   67,   69,   74,    109,    130, 

135,    177,    258,    282.    298,    299, 

301,  321,  349. 
Capt.,  86,  123,  124,  180. 
Col.,   412. 

Frye's  mills,   236. 

Fulger,  ,  308,  309. 

Fuller,  ,  382,  386. 

Rev.,  197,  353. 
Abraham,   280. 
Funeral   ring,   253. 
Funerals,  10,  35,  36,  62,  66,  70,  75, 
91,    122,    123.    162.    205,    225, 
226,    235,    238.    248,    258,    2G2, 
264,    273,    277,    281,    294,    301, 

302,  324,    351,    362,    372,    381, 
396. 

Furlong,   Philip,   279. 
Furniture,    172,   400,   448. 

Gaffeney,  Sarah,  22. 
Gage,  ,  106,  337. 

Gov.,  292. 
Gaines,  ,  117. 

Elizabeth.   184. 

Josiah,  184,  225. 

Gale, ,  23. 

Gales,   Anna,   89. 

Benjamin,  191. 


484 


INDEX 


Gales,   Edmund,   220. 

M.,  11. 
Gallatine,  Albert,  12. 

Gallop,  ,  304. 

Gambling,  218,  222. 
Gardens,  154,  219,  341,  400. 

Gardiner,    Gardener,    ,    157, 

161,  197,  225,  231,  424. 
Benjamin,  169,  225. 
John,   71. 

Gardner,  ,  21,  33,  37,  4^,  45, 

72,     73,     102,     122,     163,     168, 
169,    236,    249,    281,   373,    401, 
451,    454,    464,    467. 
Capt.,  299. 
Wid.,  114. 
George,   401. 
J.,  468. 

John,   28,   263,   270,   324,   399. 
Jonathan,  168,  206,  289. 
Mary,  13,  239,  399. 
Mary    (Pickering),   206. 
S.,  268. 
Samuel,  401. 
Weld,   401,   402. 

Gatehel,  ,  468, 

Josiah,  358,  453. 
Gatman,   Samuel,  448. 
Gavot,  John,  182. 

Geddes,  ,  126. 

Gedney, ,  310. 

Gee,  ,  303. 

Genet,  ,  36,  38,  74,  77. 

Gerald,  Wid.,  363. 
Gerrish.   Eliza,   436. 
Rev.  Joseph,  311. 

Gerry, ,  86,  155,  171,  282,  442, 

Hon.,  361. 
Elbridge,  136. 
Lydia,  10. 
Geyer,  Rev.,  425. 

Gibaut,  ,   14,   16,  66,  94,   103, 

234,    284,    303,    357,    370,    382, 
466. 
Capt,,  29,  93,  99,  100,  102,  103, 
114,    191,    192,    209,    213,    215, 
216,    237,   245,    304,    308,   310, 
312,    313,   315,   316,   321,    364, 
387,  390,  431,  441. 
Edw.,  64,  66. 
Capt.    Edward,    88,    238,    289, 

301,  318,  428. 
Fontaine,  200, 
John,    88,    125,    174,    204,    302, 

437. 
Sarah,  65. 

Sarah    (Crowninshield),    88. 
Gibbes,  ,  265. 


Gibson,  Dr.,  340. 

James,  385. 

Giddins,  ,  234. 

Giggles,  ,  79. 

Ebenezer,  79. 
Giles, ,  318,  350,  365,  452,  467. 

Capt.,  203. 
Gill,  Lt.  Gov.,  273. 

Nathaniel,    259. 

Prisilla,  259. 
Gillet,  ,  382. 

Eliphhalet,  364. 

Gillis,   ,    334. 

Gilman,  Maj.,  269. 
Glanfield,  Robert,  435. 

Glanville,  ,  79. 

Glassware,  448. 

Gloucester     (Mass.),    3,    6,     173, 
186,   302,   307,   431,   438. 
302,  307,  431,  438. 
Glover,  ,  2,  33,  69,  107. 

Col.,  353,  354. 

Gen.,  68,  69,  103,  104,  145,  213. 

Ichabod,  428. 

Jonathan,   217. 

Goddard, ,  218. 

Godshall,  Capt.,  125. 
Goes,  Peter,  361. 

Gofee,  ,  300. 

Goldsmith,   Nathaniel,   352. 

Thomas,  352. 

Goodale,  ,   80,   131,   190,   269, 

383. 
Goodhue,  ,   83,  341,  356,  408. 

Capt.,   103. 

lion.  B.,  362. 

Goodwin,  ,   54. 

Gore,  ,  60,  131,  272. 

Goss,  ,  406. 

Mary,  460. 

Richard,  460. 

Gott,  ,  307. 

Gould,  ,  51,  111,  435. 

Deacon,  402. 
Grafton,  ,  311. 

Joseph,   116,  122. 
Grampus,    115. 
Grand  Turk    (ship),  28,   86,   132, 

250,  252,  265. 
Grant,  ,  184,  279,  297,  365. 

Francis,  86,  278. 

Mary,  279. 
Grasse,  Count  de,   128,   130,   160, 
263. 

Amelia  Maxima  Rosalia,   128. 

Justina   Adelais  Maxima,    128. 

Melania      Veronica      Maxima, 
128. 


INDEX 


485 


Grasse,  Sylvia  Alexandrina  Max- 
ima, 128. 
Graves,  Catharine,  362. 
Gravestones,   101,  393. 

Gray,  Grey.  ,   29,   31,   90,   96, 

146,    282.    335,    343,    344,    381, 
414,  431,   442,  459. 

Elizabeth.   442. 

James,  440. 

John.   406. 

S.,  335. 

Samuel,  225. 

W.,  114,  145,  186,  205,  257.  260. 
282.    335,    345,    394. 

William,  35,  109,  258. 

William,   jr.,   247. 

Winthrop,  349. 
Great     Pastures     (Salem),     128, 
132,   200. 

Greave,  ,  58. 

Green,   Greene,  — ,   39,    100,   147, 
260,  320,  367,   382. 

Col.,  200. 

Gen.,  215. 

Rev.,  312,  317,  362. 

B.,  226. 

Thomas,  348. 
Greene   (Me.),  62. 
Greenfield   (Mass.),  55. 
Greenland    (N,  H.),  388. 
Greenleaf,   ,   106,   283. 

James,  240. 
Greenwood,  — ,  457. 

Andrew,  253. 

Miles,  29. 

Groce,  ,  168. 

Groton    (Mass.),  42. 

Grovenor,  ,   149,   153. 

Groves,    Grooves,    Tabitha,    247, 
279. 

Thomas,  453. 

Guildford,  ,  126. 

Guildford   (Vt.),  55. 
Gunnison,  John,  358. 
Guns,  58. 

Gunter,  ,  287. 

Gwin,  ,  240. 

Hacker,  ,  32,  96,  188. 

Isaac,  96. 
Hadley   (Mass.),  202. 
Haegen,  P.  A.  von,  269. 

Hagen,  ,  330. 

Haggett,  ,  137,  314,  322. 

Hail  storm,  228. 
Hale,  ,  46,  141. 

Col.,  431. 
Hall,  ,  80,  330. 


Hall,  Prince,  379. 

Capt.  Spence.  77. 

Capt.  Stephen.  101. 
Hamilton.  Maj.  Gen..  342. 

Prince    (negro),   206. 
Hampson,  William,   398. 
Hampton   (N.  H.),  388. 
Hancock,   ,    101,   327,   392. 

Gov.,  126. 

John,  65,  70. 
Hannon,  Wid.  Hannah,  222. 
Hanover  (N.  H.),  50. 
Hansgrara,  — — ,   184. 

Haraden,    Harraden,    ,    205, 

298. 

Capt.,  239,  303. 

Eunice,   205. 
Hardy,  .   79. 

Dr..  357. 

Hareny,    ,    271. 

Harlow,   Calvin,    154. 
Harrington,  Rev.,  155,  169. 

Elisha,    288. 

Capt.  Elisha,  359. 

Martha,  201,  328,  359. 

Harris,    ,    13,    117,    190,    201, 

242,  243,  251,  262,  281. 

Capt.,  203. 

Rev.,   169,  232,  242,  337,  373. 

Harrod,  ,  393. 

Harrod,  see  also  Harwood. 

Hart,  .  126. 

Hartland   (Vt.),  49. 
Hartwell,  Jonas,  262. 
Harvard     (Mass.),    149,    153-155. 
Harvard  catalog,  204. 
Harvard  College,  61,  98,  192,  248, 
344,  445. 

Harwood,    ,    385. 

Harwood,  see  also  Harrod. 
Haskell,   ,    21,   278,   374. 

E.,  155. 
Haslett,  Martha,  217. 
Hastings,  Hastins,  ,  371. 

William,  327. 

Hatch,  ,  283. 

Hathorne,       Harthorne,       Haw- 
thorne,    ,   23,   34,    86,    89, 

135,    173,    174,    424,    447,    463, 
467. 

Col.,    135,    174,    181,    191,    199, 
445. 

Madam,  22. 

Col.  J.,  220. 

John,   161,  385,  445,  447. 

M.,  463. 

Mary,  421. 

N.,  396. 


486 


INDEX 


Hathorne,   Capt.  Nathaniel,   323. 

Susannah  (Tousel),  385. 

Susannah,     23,     86,     111,     199, 
220,  228,  277,  385,  445,  446. 

William,  421. 
Haven,  Dr.,  10,  242. 
Haverhill    (Mass.),   113,  393. 
Hawkes,    ,    73,    159. 

Wid.,  225. 

Benjamin,  458. 

Mary,   77,   266. 
Hawkins,  Anna,  295. 
Hay,  Dr.,  325. 

Hayley,  ,  324. 

Hazlett, ,   452. 

Healey,  Nathaniel,  218. 
Heard,  ,  175,  445. 

Luke,   434,   443,   445. 
Heard,   sec   also    Hurd. 

Hearsey, ,   123. 

Heat,  278. 
Heath,  Gen.,  203. 
Health  regulations,  430. 

Hedge,  ,  53. 

Heinbach,    Heinback,    ,    263, 

268. 

Henchman,  ,  351. 

Henderson,  ,  459. 

Henfield,  ,  263. 

Jonathan,   334,   346. 

Joseph,   333. 

Henley,  ,  220. 

Herengl,  ,   160. 

Herod,  ,  113. 

Herrick,   ,    64,    75,    322,    339, 

348. 

Barnabas,    34,    322,    324,    378, 
438. 

Jonathan,  378. 

Lydia,  324. 
Hersey,  see  Hearsey. 

Hervey,  ,  246. 

Heusler,  ,  244,  341,  400,  401. 

Heyden,  Jonathan,  119. 

Heyward,  ,  272. 

Hibbert,  ,   214. 

Higginson,  ,  223,  266,  352. 

Col.,  134. 

Rev.  John,  383,  384. 

S.,  442. 

Stephen,   343. 

Hildrich,   ,   179. 

Hill, ,  187     242,  249,  256,  301. 

John,  99,  218,  301,  386. 

Robert,  94,  259,  269,  271. 

Sarah,  300,  326. 

Stephen,    111. 

William,   98. 


Hiller,  ,  293,  300. 

Major,  337,  442. 

Henry,  225. 

Joseph,  117. 

Robert,  213. 
Hilliard,  Hillard,  6,   344. 

D.,    229. 

Hills,  ,  466. 

Hispaniola  Massacre,  34. 

Hitchborn,  Hitchborne, -,  121, 

289. 
Hitchcock,  ,  58. 

Dr.  Enos,  367. 
Hitchins,       Hitchens,       Hitchin, 
,    203,    265,   464,   468. 

Abijah,   225,   265. 
Hobart,  ,  297. 

Noah,  3,  84,  103,  296. 
Hobbes,  Wid.,  349. 

Hobby,  ,  351. 

Hodges,  Hodge, ,   14,   16,  81, 

92,  115,  169,  210,  281,  282, 
298,  315,  345,  346,  382,  411, 
414,  462,  469. 

Capt.,    163,    183,    227,    268,    292, 
294. 

B.,  314,  316. 

Capt.  B.,  39,  75,   174,  239,  248, 
278,  294,  321,  343,  416. 

Benjamin,    14. 
Gamaliel,   14,   217,   314,   394,   463. 

George,    14,    83,    112,    191,    237, 
286,  314. 

Hannah,  314,  414. 

Capt.    J.,    314. 

Capt.  Jo.,   67. 

John,   191,  205,  248. 

Jona.,  279. 

Joseph,  281,  282. 

Lydia,   66,    191,   192. 

Mary,  281. 

Richard,  286. 

Sarah,  100,  162. 

Hodgkin,    -,    304. 

Hoit,  ,   55,   56. 

Holbrooke,   ,   433. 

Holden,  ,   357,  371. 

Oliver,  20,  184. 
Holidays,   92. 

Holland,  ,  45,  94. 

Hollingsvs-orth,  Holingsworth, 
Holing%vorth,  Hollingworth, 
,  82,  296,  352,  445. 

Madam,  23. 

Eleanor,   447. 

Richard,  83. 

Susannah,  82. 

William,  23,  82,  447,  448. 


INDEX 


487 


Holman,  Holeman, ,  385,  414. 

Capt.,  2. 

Holmes,  .  129.  132,  241.  277. 

Holt. ,  13.  269. 

Holten,  ,  13. 

Judge,  387. 
Rev.,  230. 
Holvitt,  Mrs.,  25. 

Holvoke.  .  222,  246,  337,  340, 

'357,  371.  372,  445. 
Dr.,    35,    79,    80,    107,    123,    215, 
252,    268,    293,    300,   345,   355, 
401. 
Rev.,  87,   183.  222,  229. 
Edward,    107. 
Samuel,   183. 
Homan.  Homans,  — ,  226. 
Maj.,  321. 
Hannah,  81. 

Homer,  ,  370. 

Rev.,  280. 

Honeycombe,  ,  441. 

Hooper,   ,    68,    103,    115,    125, 

160,    161,    221,    222,    239,    244, 
292,    381,   384,    400,   441,    464, 
465. 
Capt.,    348. 
Abiel,   384. 
Benjamin,  384. 
Joseph,   428. 
Capt.  N.,  286. 
Robert,   97,    414. 

Hopkins,   ,    23,    91,   234,   276, 

317,  322,  331,  346,  371. 
Rev.,    181,    209,    230,    369,    402, 

416,    424,    429,    452. 
Rev.  D.,  156. 
Rev.  Daniel,  288. 

Home,  ,  263. 

Horton,  ,  328. 

Hosmer,  ,  332,  464. 

Capt.,   291. 

Hannah,  4,  99,  316,  317. 
Joseph,   14,   135,   167,   168,   181, 
240. 
Houses  and  buildings,  14,  23,  25, 
34,    114,    115,    141,    172,    175, 
260,    268,    290,    298,   310,    332, 
350,    365,    366,    369,    385,    414, 
415,  435,  462-469. 
House  Island,  347. 
House  raising,  46. 

Houston,  ,  233. 

Hovey,   ,   313,   333,    459,    464, 

467. 
Capt.,   112. 

Major,   276,   277,   399. 
Amos,  14,  227,  274,  277. 


Ilovev   D.,  274. 

DeixM-ah.  274. 

Rebecca.    274.    313. 

Sarah.   274,    313. 
Howard.  .  57.  58. 

Dr.,  255.  2f)4,  276,  362,  371. 
Hoyt,  sec  Hoit. 

Hubbard,  ,  90.  147.  296.  299, 

331,  335,  340,  352,  397. 

Rev.,    104,    169,    197,    201,    323, 
327. 

Rev.  E.,  353. 

Rev.  Ebenezer,  223,   354. 

W..  255. 
Huguenots.  406. 
Hull,  ,  405,  445. 

Gen.,  280,  281. 

Rev.    Stephen.    457. 

Humphreys,  ,  390. 

Humphrey's  pond,   160. 
Himt,  ,  138,  241,  394,  432. 

Lewis,  240. 

Samuel,   244. 

Sarah,  162. 

Thomas,  163. 

Timothy,   429,   431. 

W.,  281. 

William,    96. 
Huntington,  ,  228,  327. 

Rev.,  316,  405. 

Rev.   Asahel,   228,  325. 

Hurd, ,  372. 

Hurd,  see  also  Heard. 
Hurdle,   Widow,   278. 

Hurst,   ,   260. 

Huse,  ,  389,  390. 

Hussey, ,  141. 

Hutcheson, ,  379. 

CoL,  221. 

Hutchins,  ,   390,   393. 

Hutchinson,   ,    203,   242,    245, 

407,  445. 

Rev.   Aaron,   352. 

Benjamin,  83,  203,  350. 

James,  350, 

Mary,  327,  350,  445. 

Thomas,  445. 

Illigitimacy,  294,  328. 

Immigration,   157. 

Immorality,    261,    284,    294,    328, 

371. 
Imposter.  214. 
Incendiarism,  422. 
India,  88. 
Indians.  50.  51,  56,  203,  245,  260, 

265,  370.  383. 
Indian  remains,  10. 


488 


INDEX 


91, 


82,   89,    162,   298. 


Infanticide,   328. 

Influenza,  64. 

Ingalls,   Ingall,   Ingoll, 

180.  265. 

Ingersoll,  — 

361,  468. 

Capt.,  202. 

David,  124. 

John,   124. 

Jonathan,  21,  35,  328,  341,  342. 

Mary,  328. 

S.,  29. 

Capt.  S.,  228,  272,  463. 

Samuel,  14,  228,  445. 

Susannah,  446. 
Insanity,   127,   443. 
Installations,  320. 
Insurance,  333. 

Intemperance,  363,  410,  440,  444. 
Ipswich   (Mass.),  113,  173. 
Ireland,  — ,  153. 

Shadrack,  153, 
Iron  castings,  151. 
Ironworks,  180. 

Ironworks,    Danvers,     208,     215, 
217,  218,  236,  238,  239. 

Irving,  ,  185. 

Isaac  (negro),  146. 
Isaac  Augustus   (negro),  96. 
Isles  of   Shoals,   324. 
Ives, ,  13,  92,  446. 

Anne,  92. 

Capt.  Benjamin,  92. 

Hale,  362. 

Mary.  92. 

Capt.  K.,   141. 

Jackson,  ,    11,    12,    113,   241, 

254. 

Gen.,  287. 

Rev.,  92. 

Jonathan,  343. 
Jails,  59,  333. 
James,  ,  154. 

Mary,  417. 
Japan,  342. 

Jaquith,  ,  143. 

Jarvis,  ,   104,  372. 

Jay,  ,  146. 

Gov.,    166. 
Jeans,  ,  411. 

Mary,  410. 

Jefferson, ,    207,    226,    409, 

412,  423. 

Pres.,  436,  457. 

Jeffords,    ,    283,    319. 

Jeffrey,  Jeffry,  Wid.  Eliz.,  240. 

Susannah,  101,  140,  163,  176. 


Jeffrey,  Walter,   177,  346. 
Jeffrey    (N.   H.),   45. 
Jenkins,  Wid.,  294. 

Abigail,    354,    421. 

John,  217. 
Jenks,  ,  242. 

W.,  255. 
Jennison,  ,  367,  368. 

Abigail,  219. 

W.,  316. 

Rev.  William,  219. 

Jewett,    ,    153. 

Jews,   59. 

Johnson,  ,  246,  403,  444,  453. 

Capt.,  204. 

Charles,  403. 

George,  405. 

Lucy,  286. 
Johnston,    — — ,    336. 
Jones,  ,  39,  80,  139,  147,  375. 

Wid.,  273. 

Ichabod,  412. 

Mary,  288. 

Jordy,  Jordie,  ,  65,  95,  102. 

Jov,  ,   194. 

Joseph,  29,  111,  197. 
Jude   (negro),  302. 

Judson,    Jutson,    ,    91,    323, 

328, 

Adoniram,  431. 

Kane,  Henry,  372. 
Keen,  Wid.  Hanna,  424. 

Hannah,  167,  282. 

Thomas,  89. 
Keene    (N.   H.),   46. 
Kehew,    Keheue,    Kehoe,    Kehou, 
Kehoue,  Aaron,  361. 

Sarah,   170,   191,   267,  332,   361, 
377. 
Kelley,  ,  323. 

Judith,  317. 

Kendall,   Kendal,  ,   215,   219. 

320,  431. 

Master,  299. 

Rev.,  141. 

Kennedy, ,   454. 

Kenney,  W.,  458. 
Kenny,  Jesse,  373. 
Ketch,  163. 
Kettle  Cove,  347. 
Kidder,  Rev.,   233. 

Kilham,    Killum,   ,    116,    161, 

170,  218. 

David,  180. 
Kimball,  ,  246,  371. 

Major,  155. 

B.,   153. 


INDEX 


489 


Kimball,  Jacob,  167. 

Paul,  436. 
King,   ,   78.   252,  381,   465. 

Daniel,  414. 

Elizabeth,  167,  252. 

Sarah,  252,  284. 

W.,  28. 

William,  191. 
Kingot,  Kinggot, ,  406. 

Peter,  406. 
King's  Chapel  (Boston),  418. 
Kingstown    (N.    H.),   393. 
Kinsman,   Kindsman,   Capt.,   423. 

Nathaniel,  394. 

Kippis,  ,  250. 

Kirkland,  ,  259,  296,  339,  363, 

375. 

Rev.  J.  T.,  312. 

Kitchen,  ,  268. 

Kitfield,  Capt.,  269. 
Kittredge,      Kitteredge,      Kitte- 
ridge,  ,  376,  443. 

Dr.,  20,  167,  177,  294,  446,  452. 

Dr.  B.,  138. 

Thomas,  355. 
Kittery    (Me.),   262. 
Knapp,  Knap,  ,  313. 

Capt.  316,  320. 

Abigail,  358. 

Mary,   322,  363. 

Wid.  Mary,  327,  405. 

Sarah,  302,  394,  405. 
Knight,    Knights,    ,    29,    464. 

B.,  264,  276. 

Benjamin,  235. 

Sarah,  115,  276. 
Knocker's  hole,  266. 
Knox,  Gen.,   287. 

Kollock,  ,   379. 

Kosciusco,  ,  214. 

Kronenscheldt,  Johannes  Casper 

von  Eichter  von,  200. 
Kuhn,   ,    64. 

Lacquer,  163. 

LaFaj-ette,  Marquis  de,  3,  4. 

La   Fevre,   ,   467. 

Lamb,  ,  330. 

Simon,  329. 
Lambert,  ,  9,  402,  464-467. 

Capt.,  464. 

Eev.,   51. 

Abigail,    206. 

Jonathan,  130,  380. 

Joseph,     14,    66,    71,    145,    169, 
213,  414,  457. 

Mary,  71,  85,  169,  457. 

Priscilla,   29,    173,   279. 


Laml)ert,   Richard,  259. 
Samuel,  259,  382, 

Lander,     lianders,    ,    22,    66, 

114,   260,   294. 
Capt.,  114. 
A..  2. 

Elizabeth  (Slade),  406.   ■> 
Jonathan,    406. 

Lane, ,  191,  199,  247,  304,  462. 

463,   468. 
Anna,  330. 

Nicholas,   2,    158,   330,  331. 
William,  239,  316. 

Lang, ,   31,   66,    96,    102,    168, 

210,  219,   228,  452. 
Edward,   37. 

Langdon,  ,  389. 

Dr.,  10. 

Larue,  ,  263. 

Lassell,  Lazell,  George,   111,   176, 
217. 
Margaret,    237. 
S.,  237. 
Lathe,  Esther,  163,  164. 
Lathrop,    Dr.,    27,    126,    187,    255, 
264,    296,    310,    339,    425,    426. 
Launchings,  86,  89,  100,  109,  115, 
134,    146,    163,    192,    204,    237, 
291,    302,    310,    319,   335,    350, 
370,  402,  440. 
Laurie,  Robert,  193. 

Lavater,  ,  98,  242. 

Law,  ,  155,  169,  175,  176,  184, 

190,   192,   246. 
Lawrence,  Capt.,  239. 
Col.,  293,  399. 
Major,    278. 

Leach,    ,    198,    229,    244,    384, 

398. 
Wid.  S.,  156. 
Samuel,   14,  210,   408. 

Leavitt, ,  266,  412. 

Lechmore,  Thomas,  Esq.,  349. 
Ledbetter,    Ledbeter,    Mary,    89, 
94,    237,    274. 

Lee,  ,  103,  167,  223,  259,  268, 

459. 
Capt.,   135,  314,  380. 
Col.,  68,  227,  280,  439,  443. 
Judge,   460. 
Major,  345,  387. 
George   G.,   259. 
Joseph,    459. 
Lydia,   258. 
Thomas,  190,  402. 
Col.  W.  R„  442. 

Le  Favre,  Lefevre,  ,  140,  357, 

463. 


490 


INDEX 


LeFavre,  A.,  205,  370. 

Amos,  71,  85. 
Legg's  hill,  107. 
Leicester,  59. 
Lemon,  ,  464. 

John,  214. 

Sarah,   214. 
Lemons,  26. 

Lendall, ,  260. 

Lendrum,  J.,  328. 
Leslie,  ,  91. 

Eev.   George,   356. 

James,   194. 
Leverett,  Leaverett,  Lt.  Gov.,  266. 

John,   340. 
Lewis,  — ,  278,  311,  420. 

John,  396,  398. 

Mary,  278. 
Lexington    (Mass.),   147. 
Libel,  457. 

Libraries,   49,   125,   127,   186,   398. 
Lightning,    273,    379. 

Lillie,  ,   459. 

Lincoln,  Gen.,   230,  287,  345. 
Lindall,   Timothy,    114. 
Lindsay,  Major,  224. 

Litchfield,   ,   429. 

Lithgow,   Gen.,   124. 
Little,  ,  222,  312,  355. 

Dr.,     124,     172,    194,     195,     197, 
253,  274,  356,  382,  398. 
Lockart,  Jesse,  355. 
Lockjaw,    107. 

Logan,   ,    236,   239,   240,    241, 

449. 

Dr.,  63,  446. 

Christian,  446. 

George,   446. 

Dr.  George,  29,  34,  35,  230. 
Lomellini,    Augustine,    74. 
Long,  John,  409. 

Lopus,   ,   59. 

Lord,  ,   128,   133. 

Dr.,  89. 

William,  38. 
Lotteries,  83,  97,   173. 
Lovejoy,  Col.,  17,  19,  66,  167,  171, 

177,    180. 
Lovell,  Lovel, ,  267,  286. 

John,    432. 
Lovett,  Capt.,  411. 

Dr.,    113. 
Low,  ,   184,  260,  436-438. 

Col.,  222,  303. 

Daniel,  323. 

Col.    John,    206. 
Lowell,  Judge,  131,  132,  348. 

John,  343,  430. 


Loyalists,  423,  425,  434,  436. 
Lufkin,  ,  411,  463. 

Solomon,  159,  160. 

Luscomb,  ,  414. 

Luxuries,  191. 
Lyman,  ,   56,   57. 

Eev.,   415. 

Caleb,   441. 

Theodore,  226,  272. 
Lynde,  ,  468. 

Judge,  290. 
Lynn  (Mass.),  13,  28,  104,  238, 

297,    434,    444. 
Lynnfield    (Mass.),   160,   433. 
Lyoll,  Rev.  Thomas,  452. 
Lyon,  ,  51,  272. 

Macarthy,  Capt.  Justin,  446. 
Macclanochen,   Rev.,   351. 
McClintock,  Macclintock,  Maclin- 
tock, ,  10. 

Dr.,  387,  388,  389,  394,  422,  423. 
Macdonald,  Mary,  410. 
MacEwen,   John,    386. 

Macgilchrist,  ,  385. 

McGregor,  Capt.  John,  29. 
McGregory,      Macgregory,     Mac- 
Gregory,    35,    112. 

Hannah,  29. 

John,  92,  112. 
McGrew,  ,  2. 

John,   2. 
Machias     (Me.),    412. 

Mclntire,    Macintire, ,    175, 

221,   274,   372,   427,   452. 

Samuel,  268,  269. 
Mack,  Mac,  ,  293,  328. 

Hannah,  168,  293,  330. 

Mackay,  ,   170. 

McKeen,      Mackean,      MacKean, 
Mackeen,  MacKeen,McKeene, 

,  27,  39,  66,  91,  253,  255, 

316,   382,   386,   394,   445. 

Rev.,     27,     141,     169,     197,     209, 
226,    301,    353,   362,    397,    438. 

Rev.  J.,   422. 

Rev.    James,    136, 

Macmillon,  Macmellon,  ,  159, 

414. 

Macnulty.  Macanulty,  ,   293, 

365,  410. 
Magnolia    (Mass.),  347. 
Magown,   Thomas,   454. 
Maine,  460. 

Major,   ,   91. 

Majory,  Majore,  ■ ,  91. 

Susannah,    106. 
Malborough,  Duke  of,  118. 


INDEX 


491 


Malcolm,    Malooin,    Hannah,    62, 
101,    134,    162,    214,    291     297 
459. 
Wid.    Hannah.    289,    446. 
Maiden    (Mass.),   367. 

Maley,  ,  446. 

Lydia,    286. 
Manchester   (Mass.),  87,  91,  17.'?. 

386,  437. 
Mangoustan,  199. 
Manley,   Capt.,   5. 

Mann,  ,  301,  319,  370. 

Capt.,    50,    51. 

Manning",    ,    9,    71,    193     298 

323,   345,    373,    384,    385*,    414! 
463,    468. 
Elizabeth,    15,    365. 
John,   358. 
E.,  jr.,  234.  384. 
Richard,    358,    365. 
Richard,  jr.,   15. 
William,   234. 

Mansfield,  ,  20,  39. 

Marat,    ,    63. 

Marblehead  (Mass.),  3,  90,  91, 
97,  103,  117,  187,  220,  223, 
226,  280,  284,  286,  323,  340, 
341.  354,  357,  361,  377,  378, 
397,  409,  412,  428,  438,  439, 
458. 
Market    House,    Salem,    37,    101, 

175,    265. 
Market  prices,  458. 
Marlborough    (Mass.),  60,  272. 
Marlboroug-h  (N.  H.),  45. 

Marquand,  ,   195. 

Marsh,    Ezekiel,    264. 

Marshall,   ,    348. 

Marston,  ,  170,  180,  197,  221, 

268,   279,   429. 
Capt.,    174. 
Dorcas,  279. 
Zechariah,   453. 

Martin,  ,  8,  116,  170. 

Capt.  D.,  167. 
Capt.  David,  168. 
Elizabeth,   275,   294,   415. 
Martha,    184. 
Mary.  94,  166,  287,  326. 
Nicholas,  275. 
Sarah,   97,   109,   115. 
^fartinico,   86. 

Mascoll. .  29.  229.  373. 

Wid.  Hannah,  83,  434,  440. 
Thomas,  456. 

Mason,   ,   339,    424,    453,    463, 

466. 
Capt.,   250,   446. 


Mason.   Abigail,  401,   402. 
D.,    323. 

Jonathan,    100.    114,    240.    289, 
322,    323,   328,    339,    402,    469.' 
Capt.  Jona.,  jr.,  294. 
Jonathan,  .sr.,  284. 
Susanna,  323. 

Thomas,   323,   378,   401,   402. 
W.,   417,  453. 
Massachusetts     Historit-ai     Soci- 
ety,   127,   243. 

Massey,    Massy,    ,     183,    221, 

351. 
Jeffrey,    199. 
John,  ^220,  311,  365. 

Masury,    ,    91,    256,    278,    352, 

466.    467. 
Wid..  237. 
Abigail.  86,  87. 
Anna,    399. 
Wid.   B.,   275. 
Benjamin,  277. 
Deliverance,   277,   278. 
Elizabeth,  239,  422. 
Lydia,  64,  163,  166,  405. 
Wid.  Mary,  98. 
Wid.    Mercy,    251. 
Nancy,  28,   130,  354. 
Samuel,   111,  218,  239. 
Sarah,    279. 
Thomas,  100,  177. 
Capt.  William,  406.     • 

Mather,  ,    340. 

Dr.,  425. 
Rev.,  119. 
Dr.   Cotton,   374. 
Increa.se,  340,   371,   441. 
Matignon,  Dr.,  332,  406. 
Mattoon,   Hubartus,   358. 

Maurice,    ,    357. 

Maxey,  Levi,  79. 
Meachum,  Joseph,  154. 

Mead,   ,   213,   270. 

Rev.,    108,    456,    459. 
Rev.  Samuel,  211. 
Means,  Mean,  Col.,  232,  233. 
Betsey,   233. 
Polly,    233. 
Meckin,   Rachel,   396. 
Medals.  329. 

Medcalf,  ,  128,  129,  132,  200. 

Meek,    Capt.,    310. 
Meeting-house    architecture,    17, 
46,    147,    150,    231,    254,    387, 
388,  390,   391,  395. 

Melece,  ,   160. 

Melee,  ,  170. 

Melons,   152. 


492 


INDEX 


Melzar,  Nancy,  313. 
Menadnock,Mt.,  45. 
Menotomy,    147. 

Menzie,  ,  23. 

Merchant, ,  37. 

Merrill,  ,  51. 

Daniel,    333. 

Giles,   393. 
Merrimack  river,  17,  178. 
Merrimack   (frigate),  285. 

Meservey,    Maservey,    ,    202, 

203. 

Elizabeth,  203. 
Methodists,  13,  101. 
Methuen   (Mass.),  19,  178,  179. 
Mice,    251. 

Middlesex  canal,  457. 
Middleton    (Mass.),  206. 
Mile  stones,  60. 

Miles,  ,  203. 

Military   reviews.   63,   65,   87,   88, 
109,    161,    240,    286,    302,    321, 
353,   371,   399,   454. 
Militia,  65,  76,  130,  162,  182,  244, 
267,    280,    285,    309,    331,    372, 
376,   424. 
Mill  on  Salem  Neck,  37. 
Miller,  Joseph,  396. 

Millett,    Millet,    ,    234,    278, 

288,  465. 

Capt.,  111. 

Benjamin,   459. 

Elizabeth,  71,  87,  96,   156,  227, 
278,   341. 

Hardy,  274,  462. 

John,  278,  288. 

Jonathan,    22,    140,     141,     216, 
274. 

Mary,  213,  274,  297,  368. 

Nathan,  299. 

E.,  288. 

Rebecca,  141,  203,  255,  286. 

Sarah,    71,    141,    177,    234,    236, 
264,  274,  288,  362. 

W.,  273. 

William,   318,   343. 
Miltimore,    Rev.,    407. 
Milton,  ,  113,  396. 

Rev.,    224,    363,    365,    387,    407, 
Milton    (Mass.),   241,   253,   254. 
Minerva    (ship),   430. 
Minot,  Judge,   140,  327. 

G.  R.,  407,  408. 

Minzie,   ,   23. 

Missionary  society,  317. 
Mob  law,  318. 
Montague,  ,   373. 


Moody,  ,   168. 

Rev.,  23,  24,  25. 

M.,    12. 

Samuel,  20. 
Moore,   Rev.,   289. 

Rev.  Abraham,  377. 

Mary,   297,   412. 
Morals,   116,  212,  397. 
More, ,  272. 

Dr.,   195. 
Morey,  ,   50. 

Gen.,  51. 
Moriarty,  ,  466. 

John,  234. 
Morrill,   Morril,  ,   139. 

Rev.,    20. 

Rev,  Isaac,  39. 

Morrison,    ,    10. 

Morse,   ,   32,   64,   70,   71,   236, 

274,    278,    282,    291,    310,   328, 
377,  405,  410. 

Dr.,    255,    278,    296,    302,    320, 
329,    334,    384,    386,    391,    459. 

Rev.,  230. 

Morton,  ,  201,  246. 

Mosely,    Moseley,    ,    64,    279, 

465. 

Capt.,  315,  465. 

Capt.  J.,  314. 

Joseph,  64. 

Moses,   ,   31. 

Mottey,  La  Mottais, ,  433. 

Rev.,   279. 
Moultrie,  Gov.,  75. 
Mound  builders,  286. 
Mugford,  Capt.,  372. 
Mulberry,  Capt.,  196. 
Muley,  290. 

Mulliken,  ,  20. 

Munn,   ,    47. 

Munroe,  Munro,  ,  70. 

Rev.,   371. 
Murder,   59,   157.   165,   328. 
Murphy,  ,  354,  466. 

Capt.    J.,    353. 

Murray,    ,    14,    81,    155,    156, 

200,    205,    273,    279,   306,    374, 
390,   424,   426,   427,   456. 

Rev.,  402,  407,  432. 

Elizabeth,    248,    408,    420,    424. 

Wid.    H.,    155. 

Hannah,    214,    282,    323,    406, 
408,  420. 

J.,  359. 

Rev.  John,  9,   10,  11,  12. 

Wid.  Mary,  352. 

Peter,    155,   156,   210. 


INDEX 


493 


Museum,  Bowen's,  261. 

Museums,  321,  322,  330,  344,  382, 
433. 

Music,  20,  163.  175,  183,  184,  190, 
246,  255,  259,  268,  290,  292, 
362,    365,    371,    452,    455. 

Mycall,  ,  195. 

Nahant    (Mass.),    141,    156,    167, 

273,   312,   444. 
Nail  factory,   196,   338. 
Nail  making,  394. 

Nancrede,  ,  185,  235,  410. 

Naturalization,    255. 
Navigation,  361,  370,  447. 
Navigation,    Instruction   in,   423. 

Neal,  ,   132,  414. 

Needham,  ,  100,  468. 

Capt.,   217. 
Negroes,  31,  34,  38,  96,  235,  252, 
302,    312,    314,    345,    379. 

Nerith,  ,  214. 

New  Hampshire  in  1793,  43-55. 
New   Ipswich    (N.   H.),   43. 
"New   Lights,"   244. 
Newbury     (Mass.),    64,    95,    124, 

451. 
Newburyport   (Mass.),  9,  10,  11, 
12,    113,    194,    196,    291,    334, 
337,    364,   369,    387,   395,    443, 
456. 
Newburyport  turnpike,  457. 
Newell,  ,  386. 

Alice,   118. 

D„   413. 

Newhall,  ,  68,  168,   171,  237, 

239,  278,  281,  375. 

Ezra,  264. 

John,  345. 

Lydia,    128,    169. 
Nevmiarket    (N.  H.),   390. 
Newspapers,    183,    245,    319,    332, 

335. 
Newton, ,  261. 

Ruth,  109,  111,  194,  200,  202. 
Newton,  Mass.,  280. 

Nichols,  ,  236,  296,  315,  338, 

344,  411,  433,  469. 

Capt.,   295,   358. 

Jonathan,  287. 

Lydia,   287. 

Patience,  314,  402,  403. 

Richard,  404. 
Night  cap,  267. 
Niles,  .  17,  165,  374. 

Rev.,   410. 
Norman,  ,  250,  352. 

Wid.,   467. 


Norman,  Jacob,  235,  249. 

Mary,   250,  264. 

Norris,  ,  31,  67,  68,  103,  142, 

194,   217,   266,   380,   432. 

Rev.,  31. 

Edward,   253. 

Jo.,  239. 

John,  31,  87. 
North    bridge,    Salem,    111,    197, 

202. 
North   Fields,    197. 
North      meeting-house,      Salem, 

193. 
Northampton,  56. 

Northey, ,   26,   412,   434. 

Norton,  ,  252,  370. 

Nourse,  ,  161,  343. 

Margaret,   141. 
Nowell,  Nowall,  — — ,  377. 

Mary    (Carr),    377. 

Noyes,  ,  25,  30,  31,   139,  268, 

445,   468. 

Capt.,   11,   195,  320. 

Capt.   Joseph,    195. 

Nicholas,   260,   266. 

Nurse,  ,  439,  440. 

Nutting,  ,  162,  223,  431,  432, 

466. 

John,  414. 
Nyles,  ,  339. 

Obed    (negro),   261. 

Ober,  ,   419,   463. 

Obrian,  ,  455. 

Occum,  ,  (Indian),  136. 

Odell, ,  354,  386. 

Eleanor,   239. 

Lois,  76,  352. 

Lydia,  168. 

Samuel,  354. 

Ogden,  ,  48,  51,  53,  81. 

Ohio,  116. 

Oliver,    ,    73,    103,    209,    219, 

314,  363,  468. 

Dr.,  285,  427. 

Rev.,  201,  419. 

Judge  Andrew,  324. 

Daniel,  213,  270,  367. 

William,  114,  381. 
Ordination   at   Wilmington,    142, 

165. 
Ordinations,    241,    323,    386,    397, 

433. 
Orford,  N.  H.,  50-53,  293. 
Organs,    2,    259,    292,    346,    349, 
357,  427. 

Orne,  ,  95,  102,  160,  223,  263, 

268,  298,  316,  429. 


494 


INDEX 


Orne,  Capt.,  93. 

Wid.,  329. 

Col,,  29,  97,  227,  280,  354, 

Col.  Azor,  187,  188,  301. 

Capt,  Benjamin,  123. 

J.,  469. 

Capt.  J.,  192,  194,  314. 

Dr.  Joseph,  413. 

Capt.  Josiah,  406. 

W.,  366. 

Orr, ,  251. 

Osborne,  ,  106. 

Maj.,  339. 

Osgood,    ,     74,    82,     99,     129, 

135,    140,    178,    202,    310,   376, 
379,  468. 

Capt.,  208,  366,  383, 

Deacon,  26. 

Dr.,  270,  320,  362. 

Capt.  J.,  366. 

Peter,  294. 
Outein,  ,  268. 

Packard, ,  41,  60,  273, 

A.,  272. 
Page,  ,  345. 

Col.,  66,  271. 

Betsey,  293. 

S.,  293. 

Capt.  S„  220. 

Paine,    ,    35,    102,    107,    157, 

192,  246,  254,  365. 

Dr.,  145,  272,  273. 

Diana,  120. 

Elizabeth,  120. 

George,   120. 

John,    120. 

Mary,  119,  120. 

Sarah,  120. 

T.,    107,    287,   325. 

Thomas,  120,  190,  283, 

William,  119,  120, 
Painting,  431,  452. 

Palfrey,    Palfray,   ,    77,    158, 

175,   225,   240,   290,    452,   455, 
456,  463-469. 

Elizabeth,  264. 

Hunlock,  424. 

Lydia,  72. 

Martha,  424. 

Thomas,    15,    76,    77,    93,    135, 
233,  240,  315,  354,  420, 

Walter,  67. 

Palmer,  ,   124, 

Panorama,   126. 

Paper  mills,   18, 

Paradise,  236. 

Parish, ,  90,  386,  459. 


Parish,  Rev,,  209. 

Rev.  Ariel,  91. 
Park,  Mungo,  439. 

Parker,   ,    20,    137,    149,    165, 

268,    281,    312,   316,   336,    380, 
382. 

Dr.,   27,   35,    153,  224,   334,  373, 
374. 

Rev.,  311,  427. 

B.,  281, 

Bradstreet,  100,  279. 

Hannah,  279, 

Isaac,  16,  167,  171, 

William  B„  282, 
Parmele,  Elisha,  251. 
Parnell,  Joseph,  430. 

Parsons,  ,  9,   10,  57,  58,   113, 

302,   306,   367,   406,   432, 

Eben,  386. 

Theophilus,  343. 

Patch,  ,  70. 

Patterson,  Paterson,  ,  9,  62, 

134,  451. 

Capt,,   15,  61,   62,  82,  84, 

Wid,,  295,  451. 

Hannah,   279. 

Mehitable,  62,  297,  448. 

Wid.  Rebecca,  380. 

Sarah,  124,  297. 

Capt.  W.,  209. 

William,  15,  206,  356,  424,  448, 
451,  458. 
Paul,  Silas,  225. 
Paved  streets,  317. 
Payson,  ,  44,  49,  310. 

Dr.,  363. 

Rev.,  351. 

Betsey,  351. 

Philips,    351, 

Rev,  Philips,  301,  362, 
Peabody,  ,  115,  286,  323,  446. 

Mary,    184. 
Peach,  Capt.  Thomas,  458. 

Peak,  ,  100. 

Peale,  ,  343. 

George,  366. 

Hannah,  313. 

Mary,   299. 
Peale,  see  also  Peele. 
Pearce,  ,  8. 

Col,,   292,   438. 

Capt.  David,  437,  438. 
Pearce,  see  also  Pierce, 
Pears,  401, 


Pearson,   

Prof,,  296, 
Pease,  Peese, 
Peat,  343. 


137,    391. 
— ,  70,  273. 


INDEX 


495 


Peddler,  210. 

Peddlini,',  246.  421. 

Peele. ,  72,  142,  402,  4G7. 

Hannah.  76,  368. 

Lydia,   74,   96,   97,   99,    100. 

Mary,   345,  399. 

Robert,   74,   220,   377. 

William,    74,    96,    97,    100,    159, 
166.   220,   285,   287. 
Peele,  sec  aho  Peale. 
Pegu,  81,  88. 
Peirce,  ,  385,  450. 

Jerathmiel,    194. 

Sarah   (Kopes),  194. 
Peirce,  sec  also  Pearce. 

Pemberton,    ,139,    224,    230, 

391. 

Dr.,  398. 

Rev.,   120,  230,  425. 

Penhallow,  ,  218. 

Pennel,  ,  458,  459. 

Penniman, ,  153. 

Perkins,   ,    35.    92,    115,    160. 

207,  239,  290,  301,  317,  327, 
329,  382,  386,  465,  468. 

Capt.,  177. 

Dr.,   213. 

Dr.  Elisha,  205. 

Elizabeth,   168. 

Isaac,  436,  454. 

Jacob,  196. 

James.  382. 

John.    373.    433,    434,    444,    446. 
454. 

Martha.  324. 

Mary,  454. 

Peggy,   329. 

Robert,   454, 

Tarrant,    135,    160. 
Perley,  ,  229,  350. 

Rev.,    179. 

Perram,  ,  150. 

Perry,  ,  97. 

Peters,  ,   101. 

John,   352,   396. 

Phelps,    ,    51,    304,    307,    308, 

319,   469. 

Jonathan.   360. 
Philadelphia   (Pa.),  64. 

Phillips.  Philips,  ,  38,  42,  97. 

100,  103,  135,  144,  156,  176. 
270.  278,  298,  311,  427,  434, 
442. 

Capt..   117,  297,  349.  369. 

Gov.,    415,    427. 

Elizabeth,    136,    169. 

John,  435,  442,  450. 

Molly,  381. 


Phillips,   Samuel,   414. 
VV.,   442. 
Walter,  3d.,  73. 
William.    435. 
IMiillip's    Academy,    391. 
I'liilosophical    Library,    186. 

I'hipp, ,  138. 

I'hippen, ,    72,    79,    187,    290, 

349,  418,  419. 
Abigail,  188,  384. 
Elizabeth,   229,   428. 
Eunice,   325. 

Joshua,   76.    123.  314,   323,   325, 
362,  368,  369,  381,  412,  421, 
424. 
Lydia,   72,   251. 
Nathaniel,  15,  171,  205,  313. 
S.,    259. 
Samuel.  259. 
Sarah,   440. 

Pickering,   ,   70,   79.   82.   128, 

130.    133,    146,    205,    226,    310, 
361,    398,   408,   421,    433,    436, 
451. 
Col.,  252. 
Judge,  389. 
J.,    192. 
John,  432. 
Mary.  206. 
T.,    64,    337,    338. 
Timothy,    226,    343,    361,    452, 
456,  457. 

Pickman,  ,  107,  129,  239,  412, 

420,    421,    467,    468. 
Col.,  34,  35,   104,   114,   117,   128, 
186,    198,    221,    223,    230,    239, 
249. 
Dr.,  274. 

Major,  376,  399,   416. 
B.,   260,   342. 
Benjamin,  jr.,  214. 
Caleb,  273,  379. 
W.,   212. 
William,  297. 

Pickncy, ,  235. 

Picnic  parties,  313. 

Pierce, ,  2,  8,  21.  35,  194,  195, 

247,    265,    283,    303,   344,    354, 
371,  373,  389. 
Col.,  307,  357. 
David,  334. 
John,   370,   394,   445. 
Joseph,    31,    32. 
Joshua,  270. 
Pierce,  see  also  Pearce. 

Pieromet,  ,   110. 

Pierpont,  Joseph,   108. 
Pierson,  Hannah,  328. 


496 


INDEX 


Pig,  Learned,  261. 
Pigeon  Cove,  306. 

Pigot,   ,    340. 

PUie,  ,  106. 

Pilgrim,  ,  260. 

Major,  114. 

Pillsbury,  ,   117. 

Pipes,    152,    155. 

Pipon,  ,   139. 

Pirates,    125. 
Pitman,  Capt.,  250. 

Hannah,    239. 

Joshua,  239. 
Pitts,   Betty,  233. 

Plaisted,  ,  260. 

Plicide,  ,   54. 

Plummer,  ,  156,  205,  289,  307. 

D.,    8. 

Jonathan,  14. 

Dr.  Joshua,  415. 

Olive,  415. 
Poetry,   246. 

Poingdexter,  Philip,   447. 
Point  of  Rocks,  87. 
Police,  217,  220,  269. 
Politics,    458,    459. 
Pollard,   — — -,   40,    139,    155,   230, 
233. 

Poole,  ,  303. 

Poor,  ,  20,  81,  178. 

John,   293. 

Pope,  ,  61,  141,  370,  424,  450. 

Popes'  Day,   164,  402,   456. 
Population,  370. 

Porter,   ,   218,   221,   222,   228, 

258,  394,  421,  449. 

Rev.,   201,   202,   449. 

Abigail,  382. 

Hannah,  395. 

Mary,  275. 

Ruth,   275,   350. 

Thomas,    275. 
Portraits,  223,  260,  264,  452,  453. 
Portsmouth  (N.  H.),  389,  461. 

Poterie,  ,  332. 

Potter,  ,  147. 

Pratard,  ,  262. 

Pratt,    Prat, ,    81,   226,    293, 

327,  432,  458,  463. 

Capt,,   5,   327,   364. 

Capt.  J.,   375. 

Capt.  Joseph,  50,  51. 

Simeon,    201. 
Prayer,    209. 

Prebble,    Preble,    ,    84,    188, 

237. 

Capt.,  323. 


Prebble,  E.,  225,  295. 

Ebenezer,   188,   194,   334. 

Capt.  Edward,  322. 

Elizabeth,  188,  295,  296. 

Elizabeth  (Derby),  188. 
Prentiss,  Prentice, ,  100,  279. 

Rev.,    326. 

Prescott,  Prescot,  ,  76,   102, 

231,   286,   351. 

Gen.,    42,    232. 

Maj.,   399. 

Rev.,  234,  459. 

"Dr.  Oliver,  232. 
Preston,  ,  85,  331. 

Capt.,   218,   296,   297. 

Andrew,  85,  140,  169,  204,  278, 
296. 

Diman,   283. 

John  Diamond,  166,  271. 

Joseph,  333. 

Mary,  331,  435,  440,  451. 

Sarah,  275,  298. 

Susanna,  440. 

William,  31. 

Price,  ,  66,  250,  340. 

Priestley,  Priestly, ,  110,  207, 

335. 

Dr.,  97,  126,  316,  330. 

Dr.  Joseph,  112. 

William,    112,    113,    124. 
Primus   (negro),  345. 
Prince,  — ,  10,  22,  26,  107,  124, 
372,   382,    436,    442. 

Capt.,  176,  225,  271,  350. 

Dea.,  29. 

Dr.,  298,  310,  331,  434. 

Rev.,    104,    169,    197,    206,    222, 
230,  353.  371,  416,  424. 

George,  275. 

Henry,  15,  274,  275. 

John,   436. 

Capt.  John,  273. 

Joseph,  169. 

Martha,  438. 

Sarah,  274,  275. 
Pringle,  Dr.  J.,  196. 
Printing,  209,  235,  329,  332. 
Printing  press,  49,  59,  175. 
Privateering,    65,    114,    144,    213, 

235,   271,   316. 
Privateers,  36,  38,  89. 
Processions,  5. 
Proctor,  ,  185, 

Daniel,  408,  410, 

Thorndike,  185, 
Provincetown,  420. 
Provisions,   132. 


INDEX 


497 


Pudeater,  ,  447. 

Pulling,   ,   76,    106,    132,   206, 

210,  301,  324. 
Pump,    194. 
Punchard,  ,   381. 

John,   205,   427. 
Purcell,   Dr.   Henry,    428. 

Purrington,  ,  275. 

Putnam,  ,   28,   112,   124,   137, 

161,  171,  191,  221,  400. 

Capt.,  340. 

Dr.,  383,  384. 

Amos,  221,  222. 

Dr.  Archelaus,   183,  333. 

Dr.  Ebenezer,  414. 

Eunice,  450. 

Sarah,   123,    142. 

Pynchon,     Pyncheon,     ,     57, 

223. 

John,  131,  456. 

Quakers,  see  Friends,  Society  of. 

Quarles,  ,  39. 

Quarrels,  89. 
Quincy,  — — ,  272. 

Radix,  Capt.,  109. 
Ram  Islands,  37. 

Ramsdall,   ,   376. 

Rand,   Eleazer,   154. 
Randall,  ,  190,  387,  412. 

Abraham,  386. 
Randolph,  Rantolph,  Wid.,  15,  63. 

Robert,  15. 

Ranlet,  ,  393. 

Rantoul,  ,  63. 

Mary,   435. 

Robert.  435. 

S.,  434,  435. 

Samuel,   435. 
Rattlesnake,  314. 

Ray,  ,   327. 

Raymond,  ,  174. 

Raynier,  ,  409. 

Rea,  ,  379. 

Dr.   Caleb,   211. 

Read,  Reed,  Reid,  ,   58,   107, 

161,    193,    208,    219,   286,    301, 
346,  347,  355,  383,  441. 

Dr.,  107,  239. 

Daniel,  317. 

Jacob,    294. 

Nathan.  197,  198,  240. 

Capt.  Paul,  294. 

Reading,  ,  140. 

Reading    (Mass.),    39,    278,    326, 
379,  433. 


Reath,  ,   405. 

Wid.  Elizabeth,  405. 

Relly,  ,  371. 

Renew,  ,  134,  464. 

Renough,  ,  249, 

Mirah,  249. 
Revere, ,   374,   388,   426. 

Col.,  190,  363. 

Paul,  329. 
Revolutionary  events,  412. 
Reynier,  Joseph,  210. 
Reynolds,  ,  140,  165,  329. 

Free  Grace,  143. 
Rhea,  Samuel,  31. 

Rhoades,   ,   351. 

Rhust,  ,   13,  303. 

John,    402. 

Rich,  ,  214. 

Richards,  George,  348,  390. 

Richardson,  ,   13,   14,  42,  46, 

67,  97,  137,  139,  158,  178,  394, 
462,  463,  465-468. 

Addison,  161,  174. 

David,   407. 

Esther,    163. 

Eunice,  171,  450,  451. 

Eunice   (Putnam),  450,  451. 

John,    125. 

Capt.  Joshua,  225. 

Mary,    273. 

Mary  Ann,  407,  408. 

N.,  28,   171,  172. 

Nathaniel,  15,  72,  450. 

Robert,   168,   300,  324,  325. 

Sarah,   125,   162. 

Ridgway,    Ridgeway,    ,    126, 

255,  310. 

Mary,    119. 

Samuel,   119. 
Rice,  Hannah,  460. 

Wid.   Martha,   408. 

Riker,    ,    283. 

Rindge   (N.  H.),  44. 

Ring, -,  124,  463. 

Riot  on  shipboard,  352. 
Ripley,  ,  148,  445. 

Rev.,    279. 
Roache,  Capt.  Francis,  288. 
Roads,   14,   43,   360,   451,   457. 
Robbins,  Robins,  Dr.,  431. 

Rev.,  254. 

E.   C,   242, 

William,   204, 

Robertson.  ,   128. 

Robinson. .240,  242,  254,  312, 

338,  351. 
Robison,  ,  291,  296. 


498 


INDEX 


Eoby, ,  300,  351. 

Eochefontaine,  ,  284. 

Gen.,   94,   95,   103. 
Rochestein,   Mary,   345. 
Rockport    (Mass.),  305. 

Rodrique,    Rodrigue,    ,     160, 

268. 

Philip,    263. 
Roger    (negro),    36. 

Rogers, ,  8,  12,  31,  51,  96,  104, 

184,  186,  215,  233,  291,  298, 
306,  309,  358,  359,  364,  405, 
432,   437,   441. 

Abigail,   315,   324,   360. 

Abigail  (Dodge),  173,  174. 

D.,  308,  309,  327. 

Daniel,  392. 

J.,   309. 

John,   30,   210. 

John    Gorham,    308. 

]Sr.,   30,   31,  309,   315. 

Nathaniel,  130,  173,  210. 
Rohpnehhonwoh,   John,   370, 

Rolfe, ,  37,  39,  77. 

Rollins,  ,  305. 

Eomiere,  Mary,  262. 
Rope  walk,  161,  298,  394. 
Ropes,   ,    168,    301,    412,    467. 

Capt.,  92,  293,  464. 

Maj.  Gen.,  399. 

Alice,  271. 

Benjamin,  194,  381,  382,  444. 

Daniel,  271,  320. 

David,  77. 

G.,  293,  431,  439,  442. 

George,  15,  188,  275,  431. 

Henry,    275. 

John,  366. 

John  Tit:,  275. 

Mary,    132,    168,    170,   171,   275, 
301,    309,    423. 

Capt.  Nathaniel,  248. 

S.,  382. 

Samuel,   15,  133,   168,  194,  275, 
331,  381,  444. 

Sarah,    275. 

Seeth,  81,  133,  168,  194,  275. 

William,  223,  275,  282. 

Rosier,  ,  269. 

Rousselet,  ,  332. 

Rowe,  John,   308. 
Rowell,  S.,  28. 

Thomas,  176,  420. 

W.,   419. 

William,    418,    419,    420. 

Rowland,    ,    391. 

Rowley   (Mass.),  360, 
Roxbury   (Mass.),  201,  449. 


Royalists,  412. 

Rue,  Rhue,  ,  417,  418. 

Mehitable,  460. 

Philip,  332. 

Susannah,  191, 

Thomas,  155,  332,  399,  460. 

Thomas,  jr.,  339. 
Ruggles,  ,  119,  148. 

Wid,,  449. 

John,  254. 
Rumford,  Count,  240,  454. 
Rush,  ,  64,  70,  108. 

Dr.,   285. 
Russell,  Russel, ,  21,  211. 

Rev.,   203. 

B.,   346, 

Thomas,  126,  177,  423. 
Rust,  see  Rhust. 

Rutland,   ,    385. 

Ryan, ,  412. 

Sabin,  ,  269. 

Safford,    ,    416, 

Sage,  ,  160,  442, 

Capt.,    258,    382,    433, 

Daniel,  162. 

Deborah,  35,  83,  213,  291,  358, 
434,   442. 

Susanna,   422. 

William,   116,  417. 
Sailors,    265. 
St.  Catherine's  Day,  75. 
St.  John    (N.  B.),   435. 
St.  Peter's  Church   (Salem),  26, 
117, 

St.  Pol,  ,  54. 

Salem  Almshouse,  346,  422. 

Common,  21,  62,  378,  386,  398, 
403,  428,  429,  431,  436. 

Marine  Society,  33,  133,  212. 

Market  House,  37,  101. 

Meeting-houses,  252. 

Neck,  245,  301,  316,  376. 

Perambulation,   67-69,   73,   320. 

Register,   335. 

Streets,  130,  131,  135,  140,  164, 
188,  221,  226. 

Streets  named,  107,  108. 

Survey  of,  103,  128. 

Salisbury,  ,  329,  407. 

Sallows,  ,   114. 

Salt  works,   285,   353. 

Sampler,   24,   25, 

Sanborne,  Sandburn,  ,  433, 

Rev,,  209. 

Sandeman, ,  280. 

Sandstone,  56. 
Sandy  bay,  306. 


INDEX 


499 


Sans,  ,  111. 

Sara,   Aunt,  392. 
Sargcant,    Seargeant,    Sergeant, 
,   8.    100,   307,    437. 

Judge,   179. 

Eev.,   179. 
Saunders, ,  20,  95,  100,  441. 

Major,  50,  312. 

J..   89. 

John,  123,  302. 
Priscilla,   453. 

Susanna,   453. 
Saunderson,  — — .  96,  103,  174. 

Capt.,  67,  68,  73. 

Savage,   ,    77,   331. 

Saville,  ,  308. 

Sawyer,  ,  50,  51,  185,  393. 

Dr.,  195. 

Rev,,  52. 

John,  375. 
Sayward,    Susannah,    76. 
SchaefPer,   John   Arnold,   214. 

Schmidt,  ,  126. 

Schools,  12,  29-32,  96  146,  155, 
173,  174,  190,  200,  210,  231, 
257,  264,  270,  275,  291,  292, 
299,  308,  344,  368,  372,  398, 
405,  437,  441,  458,  459. 
Schoolmasters,  432. 

Schweizer,  ,  242. 

Scobie,  John,  446. 

Scollay,  ,  457. 

Scotchman,   164. 
Scott,  ,  58. 

Capt.,  88. 
Scythe,    226. 
Seal,  373. 
Searle,  ,  261,  288. 

John,  288. 

Joseph,  287. 

Ruth,   287. 

Seccombe,  ,  149. 

Sedgewick  (Me.),  333. 
Sennert,  Patrick,  293. 

Sever,  ,  71. 

Sewall,  ,   103,   112. 

Judge,  223,  340,  402. 

Major,  26. 

S.,   222. 

Judge  Stephen,  26. 
Seward,  Susannah,  161. 

Sexton,  ,  56. 

Shad,  Catharine,    214,  223,  428. 

Shaddock,  ,  260. 

Shakers,  149-155. 

Shakespeare, ,  435. 

Shapely,  ,  192. 

Shattuck, ,  322,  323. 


Shattuck,  W.,  323. 

William,  316. 
Shaw,    J{ev.,    109. 

W..    254. 

Shay.   Shays,   ,   4,   58. 

Shay's  rebellion,  58. 
Shoafe,  — ,  260,  389. 
Shed,  Nathaniel,  444. 

Reuben,  134. 
Shehano,  Wid.,  278. 

Henjaniin,  446. 

Bethiah,   95. 

Daniel,    85,    226,    290,   398,    446. 

Wid.  Mary,  398. 

Sarah,   237.    290,   326,    446. 

Stephen,  445,  446. 

Wid.,   278. 
Sheldon,  ,  221. 

Russel,  287, 
Sheppard,    Col.,    58. 

Jeremiah,  96. 

Shlllaber, ,   160,  313. 

Ship-building,   265,   297,   307. 
Shipping,  94,  114,  117. 
Ships  and  shipping,  135,  192,  220, 
225,    227,    246,    257,    265,    266, 
271,    273,   282,    286,   294,    310, 
318,    335,   352,    415,   430,   432, 
443,  444,  461. 
Ships  confiscated,  83,  85,  102. 
Ship-wrecks,   20,   38,   72,   80,    131, 
167,    169,    170,    191,    217,   250, 
283,    286,    289,    291,    405,    417, 
419,   4S1,   457. 
Shirlej%   149,  150,   151,   152. 
Shoemaking.   238. 

Shuttlesworth.  ,  49. 

Silsbee,  ,  16,  21,  38,  227,  290, 

349,   465-467. 

Capt.,  99,  421,  438. 

Data,  450. 

Joanna,  13. 

N.,  22,  79,  228. 

Nathaniel,  275. 

S.,   35,  210. 

S.,  jr.,  35. 

Sally,  225, 

Samuel,  78,   112,   162,  270,  344, 
434,   442. 

Samuel,   jr.,   95,   184,   215,   219, 
459. 

Sarah,  16,  275,  285,  287,  377. 

W.,  450. 

Zech.,  275. 
Silver,  ,  467,  468. 

Sarah,  166,  170. 
Silver  service,  188. 
Simcoe,  ,  92. 


500 


INDEX 


Simonet,  Laurance,  299. 

Simons,    ,    19. 

Simons,  see  also  Symonds. 
Simpson,  Col.,  51. 
Sinclair,   ,   434. 

Capt.,   1. 

Sarah,  424. 
Singing,   155,   175,   183,    184,   192, 
199,   246,   350,    357,   359,    378, 
379,   459,   460. 
Singing  Schools,  15,  250. 

Skelton,   ,    266. 

Skerry,  ,   366,   415. 

Skidmore,  ,  383,  385. 

Skillings,  ,  152,  224. 

John,   328. 

Mary,    120. 
Skillman,  Rev.,   425. 
Skimmer,  Capt.  John,  122. 

Euth,  122. 

Skinner, ,  91,  283. 

Slade,   Elizabeth,   406. 
Slate,  149. 
Slave  trade,  77,  80. 
Slavery,  126,  439,  442,  453. 
Sleuman,    Andrew,    15,    78,    193, 
410. 

Mary,  410. 
Sloacum,   Ebenezer,   348. 

Sally,  408. 

Sarah,  140. 
Small-pox,   21,   76,    273,   274,   277, 

355,   356. 
Small-pox  inoculations,  2,  22. 

Smith,   ,    3i),    51,    56,    79,    82, 

90,  97,  113,  140,  173,  192,  221, 
223,  251,  308,  315,  344,  383, 
429. 

Capt.,  303,  304. 

Dr.,  270,  379,  398. 

Prof.,  50. 

Eev.,   173. 

Amos,    169. 

Charlotte,  209. 

Emmons,    183,    352,    363,    365, 
368,   398. 

Capt.  G.,  171. 

Capt.  G.  G.,  102. 

Capt.  G.  Gurley,  262. 

Isaac,  391. 

John,  124. 

Lydia,  62,  172. 

Mary,  398,  460. 

Mercy,  172. 

Eobert,  62,  297,  362,  365. 

Samuel,  423. 

Stephen,  183. 

William,   444. 


-,  31,  96,  190,  466. 


Smothers,  Capt.  Michael,  430. 

Snelling,  ,  31. 

Snow-storms,  219. 
Soapstone,  51,  94. 
Soldiers,   132. 

Soloman,  ,  80,  269. 

Southward,    ,    451. 

G.,  451. 
Southwick, 
Sowers,  Susannah,  293. 
Spain,   299. 

Sparhawk, ,  47. 

Spaulding,    ,    183,    331,    361, 

367,  381,  416,  443. 

Eev,,    369,    402,    408,    409,    424, 
427-430. 

Eev.  Joshua,   13,  216,  266,  415, 
416. 
Spicket  river,   178. 

Spooner,  ,  54. 

Sprague,  ,  45,  221. 

Col.,  197. 

Maj.,  208,  441,  442. 

Barnabas,  117. 

E.,    348. 
Spring,  ,    151,    165,   364,   443. 

Eev.,   184,   230,  363,  365,  396. 
Spring  pond,  74,  105. 
Springfield  (Mass.),  57. 
Springfield  arsenal,  58. 
Squam  river,  303. 
Squire,  Squires,  ,  109. 

Thomas,  109,  312,  313. 
Stagecoach,  58,  60,  70,  438. 
Stage  driver,   188. 
State  House,   145. 
Stanton,  Eobert,  206. 
Staunton,   Eev.,   222. 

Stealy,  ,  239. 

Stearns,  Sternes,  ,  5,  246, 

263. 

Dr.,  5,  280. 

Isaac,  114. 
Stebbins,   ,    55. 

Col.,   56. 
Steele,  Charles,  422. 

Joseph,  422. 

Stephens,  Stephen,  ,  64,  166, 

177,  460. 

Eev.,  179. 

Wid.  Mary,  241. 

Thomas,  401. 
Stephens,  sec  also  Stevens. 

Sternhold,  ,  371. 

Stevens,    Steven,   ,    171,    262, 

327. 

John,   203. 

Wid.  Mary,  369. 


INDEX 


501 


Stevens,  sec  also  Stephens. 
Steward,  ,  30,  237,  252. 

Anna,   279,   297. 

James,   255. 
Stewart,  Steuart,  Ann  Elizabeth, 
336. 

James,  256. 
Stickney.  ,   272,   313,  315. 

Benjamin,   373. 

Kev.  Jonathan,  356. 

Moses,  371,  373. 
Stiles,  Styles,  ,  277. 

Dr..  241. 
Stillman,    Stilman,    Dr.,   27,    224, 
427. 

Rev.,   201. 

Stimson,  ,  6. 

Stivers,  ,  444. 

Sarah,  295,  445. 

Wid.  Sarah,  239. 

Stocker, ,  322,  438. 

Stoddard,  Stoddart,  Capt.,  424. 

Ebed,  403. 

Stone,    ,    39,    144,    155,    225, 

267,    298,    328,   329,   336,    348, 
351,  465. 

Anstis,   431. 

Benjamin,  277. 

Eliza,    141. 

Rev.  M.,  368. 

Micah,  320,  368. 

Rev.  Nathaniel,  451,  452,  453. 

R.,   218. 

Capt.   R.,    141,    142,    181,   416. 

Robert,    277,    431. 
Storer,  Eleanor,  82. 
Storms,  26.  33,  131,  171,  200,  219, 
228,    265,    345,    357,    416,    417, 
451. 

Story, ,    301,    327,    339,    354, 

358,   362,    384,    398. 

Capt.,   293. 

Dr.,   439. 

Rev.,  29,  90,  104,  169  176,   197, 
223,    278,    312,    324,    411. 

D.,  286. 

Daniel,   278. 

Dr.  E.,  226. 

Eleanor,  23. 

Isaac,  140,  409,  412. 

Jo.,  455. 

Joseph,   377. 

William,   324. 

Stoughton,  ,  296. 

Stover,  Major,  387. 
Stratham   (N.  H.),  407. 
Street  crier,  212. 
Street  lighting,  460,  461. 


Streets,  469. 

Streets   in   Salem,    130.    131,    135, 

140,    164,    188,  221,  226. 
Streets     in     Salem     named,     107, 

108. 
Strong.  Gov.,  339,  341,  344. 
Sirout.  — ,  328,  406. 

l.t.,  349. 

Margaret,  328,  363. 
Sturgeon,  35. 

Stiirgis.  ,  372. 

Sudbury    (Mass.),  60. 

Suden  death,  234. 

Suicide,  89,  116,  123,  185,  240. 

Sullivan,  ,  112,  165,  190,  224, 

258. 

Judge,  344. 

Wid.,  208. 

Elizabeth,  405. 
Sumner,  ,  71,  327. 

Gov.,  225,  253. 

Judge,  173,  176,  202. 

Wid.,  449. 

Increase,  311,  312. 
Sim  dial,  198,  441,  451. 
Sun  Tavern,  365. 
Sunday  law,  380. 
Swain,  Rev.,  311. 
Swampscott    (Mass.),    311. 

Swan,  ,  179,  180,  238,  255. 

Swasey,  Swazey,  ,  12,  215. 

Maj.,  12. 

Joseph,  114. 

Wid.  Margaret,   174. 

Mary,  32. 

Rachel,  102. 

Sally,  174. 

Samuel,  32,  101,  174. 
Sweden,  King  of,  22. 

Swedenborg,  ,  98. 

Sweetser,      Sweetzer,      Swetzer, 
,  45,  432. 

Sarah,  408. 
Swett, ,  106,  220. 

Capt.,  325. 

Dr.,  11,  12,  37,  105,  113. 

Enoch.  332,  408. 

Dr.  John  B.,  194,  195. 

Joseph,  341. 

Swift,  ,    148,   242,   254. 

Sword    (Bowditch),  224. 
Sylvester,  Elisha,  62. 

Symmes,  ,  144. 

'Rev.,  336. 

Daniel,  336. 

George,  174. 

Symonds.   Sjmimonds,   ,   187, 

190,  221,  465. 


502 


INDEX 


Symonds,  Catherine,  349, 

Elizabeth,  172. 

John,  109,  172,  328,  365. 

Priscilla,  108. 

S.,  349. 
Symonds,  see  also  Simonds. 

Tabernacle  church,  Salem,  265, 
266,  331,  367.  369,  381,  402, 
415,  416,  427,  428. 

Tallerand,  ,  289. 

Tan  yards,  462. 
Tannery,  159,  174. 
Tanning,  236. 

Tansur,  ,  371. 

Tapley,  ,  134. 

Tappan,  ,  310,  386. 

Dr.,   224,   338,   397,   415. 

Prof.,  92,  333. 

Kev.,  323. 

Tate, ,  371. 

Taverns,  140,  296,  312,  365. 
Taylor,  ,   56,   344,   386. 

Capt.,  313. 

Wid.,   400. 

Chase,  82. 

George,  294. 

Hannah,  100,  226. 

Teague,  ,   103,    122,   373. 

Templeman,   ,   33. 

Terry,  Capt.,  201. 

Tewkesbury   (Mass),  16,  39,  138. 

Thatcher,        Thacher, ,      269, 

299,   300,    310,    351,    367,   382, 
453. 

Dr.,  193,  242,  259,  264,  300,  362, 
415,  453. 

Judge,  402, 

Rev.,   104,   185,   228,  312. 

Mary,    351. 

Peter,   260,   441,   459. 

Eev.  T.  C,  362. 
Thanksgiving  Day,   128,  290. 
Thanksgiving   Day    service,    208, 

247. 
Thanksgiving  market,  458. 
Thayer,  ,  28,  71,  332,  356. 

Abigail,  290. 

Elizabeth,  290. 
Theatrical     entertainments,     20, 
77,  80,  81,  116,  127,  132,  227, 
258,  386,  401,  409. 
Theft,   21,   33,   95,    112,    174,    184, 

217,  302,  365,  421. 
Thistle,    ,    452. 

Capt.,  417. 
Thomas,  ,  49,  59,  71,  276. 

Eev.,  232. 


Thomas,   Elizabeth,    83,   88,    164, 
169,    407. 

Isaiah,  209,  272,  329. 
Thompson,  Tompson,  ,   124. 

Benjamin,  240. 

William,  297. 
Thorndike, ,  224,  291,  301. 

Dr.,  339. 

Isaac,  313. 
Israel,   313. 

Nancy,    313. 
Thurston,  ,  388. 

Eev.,  407. 
Tide  guage,  429. 
Tide  mill,  307. 
Tides,   354,   357. 

Tilden,  ,  372. 

Tileston,    Tiliston,    ,    2,    255, 

432. 

John,  432. 
Tinker's  Island,  93. 

Titcombe,  ,  456. 

Titles,  Omission  of,  2,  3. 
Titus  Augustus   (negro),  31. 
Tobacco  raising,  41. 
Tomatoes,   240,   453. 
Tombe,  ,  10. 

Rev.,    407. 
Tombs  in  cemeteries,  142. 

Tomlinson,  ,  268. 

Tontine  Building,  Boston,  127,  243. 
Toothache,   278. 
Toppan,   Dr.,   220. 
Toppan,  see  also  Tappan, 
Topsfield    (Mass.),    18,    87,    167, 

350,   394. 
Tousel,  ,  385,  445,  447. 

John,  sr.,  447. 

Susanna,   385. 

Tovi^n,  ,   357,  372,   459. 

Tovi^n  meeting,  8,  83,  130,  174. 
Tovimsend,   ,   155,    170. 

Capt.,   401. 

Alice    (Newell),   118. 

Anna,    108. 

James,   118,  119. 

Lydia,   15,   275,   451. 

Martha,   119,   203,   249,   297. 

Mary,  174,  257,  275,  400. 

Mercy,    275,    430. 

Moses,  15,  71,  275,  369,  400,  465. 

Capt.  P.,  114. 

Penn,    107-109. 

Capt.  Penn,  203. 

Priscilla,   275. 

S.,   140,   467. 

Samuel,  275,  350,  430. 

Shippie,    280. 


Index 


603 


Townsend,  Susannah,  118,  119. 
TovNTisend  (Mass.),  42. 
Tozzer,   Ebenezer,    185. 

Margaret,  261. 

Mary,  362. 
Tracey,   J.,    11,    12. 

John,   244,   337. 
Traders,  Country,  45. 
Trades,    414, 
Trask,  Traske,  ,  265,  370. 

Joseph,  394. 

Treadwell, ,  39,  181,  258,  266, 

276,  299,  385,  386,  420. 
Trial   for   murder,    165,    166. 
Trials,  112,  205,  356. 
Trow,    Nathaniel,    336,    350,    382, 

446. 
Trowbridge,  Judge,  300. 

Trumball,   ,   344. 

Truro    (Mass.),  429. 

Tuck,  ,  324,  387. 

Tucker,  ,  106,  254. 

Dr.,  338,  352. 

Rev.,  377. 

William,   254. 

Tuckerman,  ,   329. 

TufErey,  Madam,  25. 

Tugmutton,  435. 

Turell,  ,  124,  344,  433. 

Eev.,  433. 
Turkies,  292,  408. 

Turner, ,  34,  79,  215,  268,  322, 

392,   401,   469. 

Col.,   370,   375,   463. 

Col,  John,  414. 
Turnpike,  457. 

Turnpike  to  Boston,  425,  436. 
Turnpikes,  375. 
Turtles,  33,  379. 
Twine  factory,  27. 

Twisse,  Twiss, ,  190,  203,  302, 

451. 

Wid.,    451. 

J.,   446. 

John,  203. 

Jonathan,   203,   431. 

Peter,   203. 
Tyler,   oCl.,    127. 
Tyng,  ,  41,  337,  338,  442. 

Col.,  233. 

Tytler,  Titler, ,  157,  190,  192. 

282,    285,    291,   319,   365,   405, 
410,    436. 

James,   157,   158,  204,   212. 

Jimmy,  330. 

Ulysses   (ship),  417. 


Underwood, ,  451. 

Ceorge,  451. 

Sarah,  169,  278,  445. 
Unitarian   publications,   202. 
Universalists,   36. 

Upton,   ,    137,    140,    144,    230, 

421. 

Wid.,   16,   160. 
Usher,  ,  110. 

John,  85. 

Valpy,  Valpey,  ,  241,  287. 

Elizabeth,   251,   379. 

George,  320. 

Joseph,   99,    190,   217,   313,   320. 

Lydia,  251,  314,  320,  371. 

Margaret,   241,   320. 

Mehitable,    81,    190,    255,    278, 
438. 

Richard,  253,  339. 

Susannah,  320. 
Vans,  William,  223. 

Varney,  ,  139. 

Varnum,  ,    139. 

Vaudrin,  Drouin,  110. 
Vendue  of  books,  300. 
Vermont,  331. 

Verstille,  ,  452. 

Very,   ,   205,  467. 

Capt.  J.,  191. 

James,  135,  240. 

Jones,    135. 

Mary,  77. 

S.,  63. 

Village, ,  411. 

Vincent,  ,  160,  161,  167,  168, 

170,  190,  298,  348,  464,  465. 

Joseph,  15,  160,  182,  199,  378. 

Mathew,  15,  128. 

Samuel,  297. 

Vinning,  Venning,  ,  68,  69. 

Volusia   (ship),  417. 

Von  Hagen,  ,   395. 

Voorhees,      Voorhoes,      Eleanor, 
354. 

Robert,  62,  386. 
Vose,   Col.   Joseph,   241. 

Wade,   Col.,    12. 
Wadsworth,  ,  254,  382. 

Rev.,    104,    209,    226,    230,    312, 
353,  387. 

B.,  404. 

Rev.   Benjamin,   254,   262,   288. 

Mary,  262,  288. 

Wait,  ,  78,  226,  283. 

Walden,  Joseph,  398,  452,  454. 


504 


INDEX 


Waldo, ,  5,   103,  263,  269. 

Dr.,   146. 

Major,  67,  68,  313. 

Louisa,   155. 

Wales,  ,  149. 

Walker,  ,   173,  389. 

Walpole   (N.  H.),  47. 

Walsh,  ,  338,  343,  345,  443. 

Capt.  Keyron,  210. 

Michael,  338,  370,  443. 
Walter,  Dr.,  27,  224,  427,  454. 

Nathaniel,  449. 

Nehemiah,  449. 
Waltham  (Mass.),  60. 

Walton,    ,    251,    390. 

Ward, ,  13,  67,  68,  73,  79,  103, 

134,    240,   249,    301,    407,    424, 
433,  434,  455,  462,  464,  468. 

Capt.,  103,  328,  343. 

Gen.,  60. 

Rev.,    311. 

Andrew,  126,  164,  169,  194,  252, 
328,  405. 

B.,  128,  240,  312,  313,  333,  452. 

B.  sr.,  220. 

Benjamin,  203. 

Capt.  Butles,  170. 

Capt.  Buttolph,  301. 

Capt.  Ebenezer  Buttolph,  170. 

Hannah,    169. 

J.  C,  261. 

John,  439. 

Joshua,  5,  21,  208. 

Miles,  203,  220. 

Richard,  424. 

S.,   458. 

S.   C,   289,   415. 

S.  Curwin,  424. 

Samuel,  247. 

Samuel  Curwin,  247. 

Capt.  William,  358. 
Wardelow,  Mary,  81,  89. 

Wardilloe,  ,  168. 

Warren,  Dr.,  103,  104,  185. 

Rev.,  311. 
Washington, ,  348,  459. 

Gen.,  3,  4,  5,  28,  29,  60,  74,  82, 
173,   214,   215,   258,   261,   280, 

296,  325-327,    329,    330,    331, 
335,  337,  356,  379,  389,  451. 

George,  457. 
Washington's  Birthday,  5. 
Watch,  Town,  217,  220,  222,  250. 
Waters,  ,   125,   156,  241,  288, 

297,  365. 
Capt.,  170,  328. 
B.,  237,  240. 
Barbary,  134. 


Waters,  Benjamin,  241,  431. 

Christiana,  241. 

Esther,  379. 

John,   236,   379. 

Joseph,  236,  241,  288,  322,  440. 

Judge  Joseph  G.,  135. 

Lucia,  310. 

Wid.   M.,    156. 

Wid.  Mary,  83,  440,  446. 

Sally,   82. 

Sarah,  130,  156. 
Water's  river,  161. 
Watertown   (Mass.),  281. 

Watkins,  ,   161. 

Watson, ,  31,  80,  96,  103,  239, 

251,  262,  368,  458,  462,  464. 

Abraham,  414. 

Elizabeth,  13,  135. 

John,  15,  239,  368,  385,  407. 

Marston,  265,  344,  345. 

Watts,  ,   11. 

Wayt,  ,  265. 

Weare,  Russel,   424. 
Weather,  210,  218. 
Weaving,  151. 

Webb,  ,  78,  175,  192,  214,  229, 

278,  361,  464,  467. 

Capt.,   146,   208. 

B.,  275. 

Capt.  B.,   199. 

Benjamin,  15,  64,  275. 

Eliza,  275. 

H.,  sr.,  464. 

Hannah,  32,  134,  167,  168,  176, 
181,  192,  226,  228,  262,  275, 
289,    376,   385,    452. 

Henry,  238. 

Joanna,   328. 

John,    176,    197,   275. 

Joseph,    239,    315,    398,    424. 

Joshua,  278,  296,  319,  320,  363. 

Micah,  207. 

Oliver,  160,  283,  288. 

Priscilla,   418. 

Capt.  T.,  181. 

Samuel,  94,  271,  350,  456. 

Sarah,  288. 

Stephen,  155,  172,  176,  197,  352. 

Capt.  J.,  181. 

Capt.  Thomas,  191. 

William,    318. 
Webster, ,  166,  340. 

Dr.,    338,   367. 

Josiah,  323. 

Noah,   330. 
Weddings,  18,  271,  364,  382. 
Weights  and  measures,  6. 
Weishaupt,  Adam,  316. 


INDEX 


605 


Wcleome,  ,  71,  172,  411,  466. 

Wells,  ,  388. 

Wells.  243,  285. 

Welman,  Wellman, ,    162   202, 

208,  315,  464,  468,  469. 

Capt.,   1,   83,   85,   124,   159,   283, 
295. 

Adam,  369. 

Margaret,  332,  333. 

Mary,  369. 

Mercy,   86,   202,   332,   333,    430, 
455', 

Sally,  370. 

Sarah,   116,  209. 

T.,  246,  272,  343. 

Timothy,  15,  159,  206,  285,  295. 
Welsh,  Capt.,  210. 

Wendell,  ,  20, 

Wenham    (Mass.),  311. 
Wenh-a-pot,    John    Rohpnehhon- 

woh,  370. 
Wesley,  John,  409. 

West,  ,  27,  36,  255,  317,  353, 

385,  395,  400,  416,  441. 

Capt.,   86. 

Dr.,  264,  295,  427. 

Capt.  B.,  97,   100. 

Capt.  Benjamin,  289. 

Capt.,  G.,  423. 

N.,  319,   430. 

Nath.,  373. 

Capt.  Nathaniel,  353. 
Westford  (Mass.),  41,  42,  231. 
Westminster   (N.  H.  or  Vt.),  54. 
Weston,  Nathaniel,  430. 
Whaling,  8. 
Wharton,  Eliza,  371. 
Wharves,  408,  439,  440,  468. 
Wheat,  ,  445. 

Dr.,   119. 

W.,   119. 

Wheaton,  ,  47. 

Wheeler,  ,   148,   373,   437. 

Wheelock,  ,  136. 

President,  368. 

Wheelwright,    Wheelright,    , 

38,  392, 

Whetmore,  ,  160. 

Whidden,  Widden,  ,   215. 

George,  217. 

Martha,  216. 
Whipping  criminals,  75. 
Whipple,  Eev.,  201. 
Whips,    152. 
Whitaker,  ,  266,  358. 

Dr.,  136,  298,  412. 

Jona.,  298, 


111. 
160,    466. 


-,  43,  201,  371. 
21,  59,  154,  155. 


Whit«,    ,    91,    147,    178,    180, 

185,  244,  272,  338,  385,  393, 
433,    450,    457,   463-466. 

Capt.,  181,  185,  463. 

Capt.    H.,    410. 

Henry,  326. 

Isaac,  4,   15,  77,   168,   169,  255, 
338,   432. 

James,  319. 

Capt.  Jo.,   62,  343,  369. 

John,  62,  159.  211,  350,  412. 

Joseph,   15,   114,   133,   186,  318, 
464. 

Margaret,  278,  331. 

Wid.  Mary,  169. 

Whitefield, ,  9,  10,  75,  147. 

AVhitefoot,  ,  315,  324. 

Elizabeth,    116. 

Hannah,  403. 

Samuel,  436. 
Whitehead,  - 
Whitford,    — 

Wid.,    145. 

Mary,  114. 
Whiting,  Capt.,  232. 

Betty,  290. 
Whitman,  — 
Whitney, 

Dr.,    355. 

Eev.,  301. 

Whittemore,    Whittimore,    , 

10,  14,  299,  464. 

Eunice,  206. 

James,  109,  228,  405. 

Mary,  135,  363. 
Whitwell,   W.,   341. 
Wife   desertion,   91. 
Wigglesworth,  ,  367. 

Col.,  11. 

Prof.,  367. 
Wild,  Wilds,  ,  119,  151. 

Elijah,    150. 
Wilkins,  Anna,  295. 
Wilkinson,    Wilkingson,    George, 
157,   165,    170. 

Willard,    Williard,    ,    30,    48, 

153,  155,  314,  317,  368,  390, 
408. 

Dr.,  264. 

Rev.,  23. 

Williams,  ,  32,  56,  57.  60,  75, 

134,  183,  200,  203,  205,  222, 
266,  272,  356,  371,  377,  411, 
429,  432,  465,  466. 

Capt.,   21. 

Consul,  346. 

Dr.,  245. 


506 


INDEX 


Williams,  Eev.,  19,  179, 

Wid.,  365. 

Anstiss,  65. 

Catharine,  254. 

Elizabeth,   29. 

G.,  134,  366. 

Capt.  George,  225,  226. 

Capt.  Israel,  451. 

John,  411,  453. 

Leonard,  241. 

Mary,   169. 

Eebeccah,  140. 

Thomas,  74,  201. 

William,  95. 
Williams  College,  56. 
Willis,  ,  367. 

Eev.  Eliakim,  366. 
Wilmington     (Mass.),    139,    143, 
165. 

Wilson,  ,  50,  438. 

Winchester,  ,   153. 

Windham   (N.  H.).  75. 

Windmill,  97,  158. 

Windows,   115. 

Windsor    (Vt.),   49. 

Wine,  399. 

Wingate,  Capt.  Edmund,  105. 

Winter  Island,  288,  373. 

Winthrop,   ,   28,   45,   98,   163, 

201,  249,  268,  269,  276. 

Gov.,  223,  269,  353. 

Judge,    35,    61,    146,    241,    255, 
281,  314,  344,  384. 

John,   384. 

W.,  204,  358, 

William,  241. 

Wiswall,  ,  432. 

Witchcraft,  23-25,  261,  284,  415. 
Witteridge,  E.,  118. 

Wolcot,  Wolcut,  ,  334,  359. 

Thomas,  339. 

Wood, ,  156,  231,  408,  444. 

Captain,  128,  229. 


Wood,  Wid.   Phoebe,  454. 
Wood-carving,  452. 

Woodberry,  Woodberey, ,  66, 

425. 

Susannah,  82. 
Woodbridge, ,  366,  373. 

D.,  468. 

Dudley,   322,  469. 

W.,   391. 
Woodkins,  Woodkind,  ,  197. 

Samuel,  288. 
Woodman,  Benjamin,  343. 

Wid.  Lydia  (Phillips),  343. 

Woods,  ,  141,  187,  308. 

Woodvt^ard,  ,  138. 

Woolen  manufactory,  95,  196. 
Wooley,  Woolley,  ,  312. 

Capt.,    122. 

Charles,   122,   455. 

Susanna  Ann,   122. 
Worcester,   Noah,   318. 

Samuel,  452. 
Worcester  (Mass.),  59,  71,  273. 
Workhouse,  422. 

Wright,  ,  463,  468. 

Wyatt,  ,    116,   209. 

Anna,  294,  295. 

C,  3. 

Hannah,  295. 

Jane,  116,  125,  126,  194,  306. 

Nancy,   294. 

Sarah,   116,   125,   194,  205,  206. 

Capt.   W.,   208. 

William,   116,   206. 

Wyeth,  ,  432. 

Wyman,  ,  42,  43. 

Wythe,  ,  306. 

Yam,  282. 

Yarmouth    (Me.),   220. 

Young,   ,    358,    462,   467. 

Margaret,  29,  249. 


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